At AstraZeneca we turn ideas into life changing medicines. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality. Health is higher on the political agenda than ever before and AstraZeneca has the ambition to be a trusted partner to key players in the healthcare ecosystem as they define their priorities and policies.

As Manager – State Affairs you will play a pivotal role in driving collaborations with policy makers, patient advocacy groups, healthcare experts and other partners to unlock policy and other barriers to timely and qualitative care for the benefit of patients and healthcare systems in the state you operate. You will lead the coordination and execution of strategies to drive improved screening, diagnosis, referral and treatment for priority disease areas in your states

In this position you will have the unique opportunity to work hand-in-hand with our Commercial, Medical and Market Access teams as well as our central government affairs and public policy team to transform healthcare and improve the lives of patients.

You understand that to be successful in this role you will develop a strong understanding of our priority disease areas as well as the political-economic environment in which healthcare policy is made for your states. You have a special gift and motivation to find solutions which benefit multiple stakeholders and have the proven ability to move matters through collaboration.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and implement policy shaping and patient activation partnerships for our priority diseases areas in the identified states. This includes:
  • Map and assess barriers in the patient pathway together with our commercial and medical teams
  • Initiate and accelerate the delivery of policy shaping and patient activation programmes with a focus on positive outcomes for patients
  • Track and report progress on our shaping efforts and share best practice with relevant colleagues
• Champion and oversee the creation of strong external relationships and partnerships with relevant stakeholders such as policymakers/advisors, patient advocacy groups, clinical experts and professional societies.
• Maximise the impact of our partnerships, media efforts, medical evidence generation, and other policy and advocacy tools.
• Work directly with state  and BU leadership to implement business strategies in response to legislative/regulatory challenges and opportunities. Works in a collaborative and integrated fashion with business-unit leaders to deliver value.
• Provide inputs and influence policy/ regulatory legislations, which affect the Company’s business.
• Establish working relationships with related professional organizations, trade party associations and other key third parties to influence outcomes of critical market access issues
• Anticipate and highlight the impending developments in the State Government that may impact AZPIL. Effectively address issues, formulate strategies & consult with appropriate business and corporate personnel in providing recommendations for the formation of action plans
• Develop strategic alliances with pharmaceutical, government and industry partners to leverage influence. Drive pharmaceutical  policy through active Participation in Industry Associations and related forum.
• Build, establish and coordinate relationships with key Ministries/ Organizations (State) and use these to the benefit of the organization. She / He will also work closely and network with key functionaries in the Government Commerce & Industry, Finance, Health, Pharmaceuticals, External affairs, Corporate Affairs, Science & Technology, Labour etc.

• Help in building a positive image of Company & represent AZPIL’s business and work extensively with Industry Groups and Associations, including providing inputs and direction to proactive/ reactive responses by Associations/ Chambers to Industry issues, policy development etc.
• Promote AZPIL as a leading Pharmaceutical  company that can be a trusted partner with key State Government officials / Bureaucrats, Payor , Patient advocacy groups, Pharmaceutical and Business organizations that have major influence in the development of state healthcare policy
• Develop, design, and deliver on health economic modeling/simulation projects such as cost effectiveness, budget impact, etc. to support the treatment value proposition for the payer and health systems. Develop presentations, abstracts/publications and other materials to articulate and disseminate this evidence.
• Obtain latest market trends, market shares and supports strategic planning process with the businesses with the analysis and market insights.
• Collaborate with Country Market Access teams to develop and implement key components of the reimbursement and market access strategy for the states

ESSENTIAL FOR THE ROLE:

A post-graduation in Management / Economics with bachelor’s degree in life sciences will be preferred, with minimum of 5 years of relevant experience. Progressively responsible experience in a middle/senior level management role; experience in executive communications.

• In-depth knowledge of how the healthcare system operates
• Demonstrable understanding of national political and economic priorities. Understanding of key public and private payer policy infrastructure, payment methodologies coding and coverage; health policy trends, and current business challenges to provide insight into key market access issues.
• Demonstrable experience collaborating in a fast-moving, multi-cultural workplace
• Outstanding communication, presentation, influencing skills combined with strong social networking skills
• Strategic thinker and ability to comprehend complex matters and chart a clear path forward
• Leadership capability with strong self-awareness and ability to lead through persuasion rather than authority
• Self-starting, independent, entrepreneurial attitude – a smart risk-taker who thrives on new challenges and on seeing things through to completion
• Strong business acumen, analytical skills and experience working with various internal business partners (especially Sales, Marketing, Clinical, Regulatory, Legal, and Government Affairs staff) Influence management skills and ability to work effectively in a matrixed organization and between competing organizations.
• A high degree of strategic thinking, decision making, and tactical skill is required to develop broad strategy and policy, options and recommendations to address issues expeditiously
• Excellent analytical writing and persuasive skills to develop and convey strategies, policies and action plan.

DESIRABLE FOR THE ROLE:

• Experience working in a global biopharmaceutical company or in key organisations of the healthcare system (ministry of health or its agencies, medical association, major hospital, etc.) , especially with functional responsibility in health economics and reimbursement planning and program implementation.
• Experience with AstraZeneca’s oncology therapeutic area.
• Experience with patient advocacy, media, thought leadership, public relations campaigns, and medical evidence generation
• Experience working with customers (payers, hospitals and physicians), trade associations, professional and pharmaceutical organizations and ability to develop mutually beneficial health economics and reimbursement strategies and tactics to support portfolio planning, commercialization, and sales/marketing objectives

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.