Executive Director Policy, Strategic Market Initiatives and …, Brussels

Executive Director Policy, Strategic Market Initiatives&Therapeutic Areas We are seeking a seasoned and strategic Executive Director to work closely with the Associate Vice President (AVP), Europe&Canada Hub Leader, to lead and advise its Public Policy efforts in two primary ways.

Position Overview This new position will be based in the company’s policy office in the EU district of Brussels, Belgium. Frequent external face‑to‑face engagements with policy‑makers and stakeholders in Brussels will be regularly required. The Executive Director will join two other Executive Directors in the AVP’s Leadership Team that lead overall quality, prioritization and coordination across the Europe&Canada policy agenda, as well as talent development for the Europe&Canada Hub. The role includes direct management of two policy directors, with oversight of other Hub team members as required.

Key Responsibilities

Supports public policy strategic initiatives across the region, particularly in response to a changing and challenging operating environment landscape. Together with the AVP, shapes and aligns strategy, policy positions, and action plans for priority products and high‑impact policy issues.

Ensures alignment and coordination with Global Public Policy colleagues for selected therapeutic areas and shares important market insights to shape the global strategy.

Leads policy prioritization and planning efforts, including impact tracking, policy analysis and preparation of executive briefing materials.

Partners with the AVP, his Leadership Team and Policy Heads in specific markets to craft clear public policy positions and strategic‘asks’ for use by senior leaders and spokespeople.

Advocates the Company’s policy positions with EU institutions and organizations, either directly or through coordination with internal teams, while aligning national‑level efforts with broader EU advocacy, including engagement with EFPIA and Brussels‑based stakeholders.

Fosters exchange of relevant information among stakeholders, builds alliances and consensus around processes and resources to drive toward common objectives.

Collaborates cross‑functionally with internal teams, including brand, market planning, regulatory, clinical research and corporate affairs, to deliver integrated, high‑impact policy initiatives.

Organizational Leadership

Supports the development of policy capabilities and talent across the region.

Collaborates with Policy Heads in specific markets to guide and activate the Company’s European policy network, serving as a catalyst for change aligned with business priorities.

Focuses on core competencies needed in policy teams, sharing best practices, training and addressing gaps.

Facilitates effective interactions within the Europe&Canada Hub and other internal divisions, including global therapeutic area policy, to ensure alignment and integration.

Builds relationships internally and externally that promote learning, obtain results and strengthen alliances with other internal functions.

Engages with and advises internal and external business partners with differing expectations and objectives.

Environmental Analysis and Networking

Continuously monitors policy and legislative developments in key markets and EU institutions, anticipating emerging issues, sharing insights with business leadership cross‑functionally and identifying opportunities to shape the external environment in alignment with company product portfolio and product pipeline.

Anticipates and evaluates future market needs and trends related to policy priorities in collaboration with relevant internal colleagues (e.g. Market Access, Regulatory affairs, key markets and Global Public Policy).

Establishes and maintains a broad network of relationships with key stakeholders in national markets both within and outside the Company.

Job Dimensions

This office‑based role involves regional travel and may include occasional visits to global HQ. Work location is the Company’s Brussels Policy office in Belgium (Rue du Commerce 31).

Experience And Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; higher‑level degree candidates preferred.

Extensive experience in public policy or government affairs within the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry. Proven experience in therapeutic areas, including influence on policy and legislative processes nationally and/or regionally.

Strong cross‑functional leader with deep knowledge of the Company’s therapeutic areas, pipeline and portfolio (internal candidates) or similar experience in another pharmaceutical company (external candidates). Experience in aligning patient‑centric strategies with business priorities.

Executive Director who can set direction, shape strategy and navigate political complexity, rather than operating primarily at a detailed or transactional level.

Strong people‑management skills and experience, ability to inspire and lead transformation initiatives and achieve results, influence with and without authority, and contribute toward a common agenda with defined action.

Experience working across culturally diverse and matrixed teams with a high degree of collaboration. Success requires a collaborative leadership style, grounded in trust, integrity, professionalism, sound judgment and diplomacy.

Skilled in policy and communications, including strategic planning, prioritization, stakeholder engagement and change management.

Ability to master complex policy, regulatory and legislative issues, think creatively and develop innovative strategies and solutions.

Strategic partner to senior leadership, combining operational execution with a strong business and outcomes‑driven mindset.

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build credibility, advocate internally and externally, and manage complex stakeholder relationships.

Proven ability to lead in dynamic environments, with strong project‑management skills, agility and a solution‑oriented, global perspective.

Self‑starter with innovative spirit, highly effective at proactively identifying policy risks and opportunities and identifying new ways to address policy challenges.

Fluent in English (written and verbal); additional language proficiency relevant to Europe&Canada markets is an asset.

Required Skills

Coalition Management

Government Relations

Health Equity

Health Technology Assessment (HTA)

Legislative Issues

Media Relations

People Leadership

Policy Development

Public Health Policy Development

Public Policy Analysis

Public Relations (PR) Management

Public Speaking

Regulatory Development

Results‑Oriented

Strategic Planning

Preferred Skills

Current employees apply here

Current contingent workers apply here

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