Director – Policy & External Affairs

Job Description

Director External Affairs Policy & Corporate Communications

Roles & Responsibilities

• Member of the country leadership team. Lead the external affairs policy and communications portfolio through a leadership team of highly skilled individuals.

• Strategize develop and implement robust external affairs strategy and annual plans.

• Drive coherent policy strategy and engagement across our commercial and other divisions with footprint in India both at Central and State levels; build key State-level partnerships and engagements in priority States for in India

• Build organizational capabilities processes talent and bench strength in pricing external affairs policy and communication.

• Shape the reimbursement and broader operating environment through direct engagement with government departments and collaboration with pharmaceutical companies industry associations and stakeholders.

• Secure reimbursement for the companys products in India through relevant government bodies and support for funding.

• Develop and implement internal and external communications strategies.

• Collaborate with peers in business units market access medical regulatory policy and external affairs at local regional and global levels.

• Leverage relationships with payers clinicians patient organizations politicians and government officials to support business needs.

• Policy Advocacy for Enabling IP and regulatory eco-system. Drive political will both at Center and State level to set up patient centric policies and associated funding

• Regular engagement with government officials and policy makers at center and state level. Enable the country leaders regular cadence with top policy makers in Delhi and in the select states.

• Strategic leadership in shaping industry position on key policy priorities with relevance to through continued engagement with relevant Industry Associations (OPPI FICCI CII USISPF USIBC AMCHAM and PAFI)

• Provide leadership oversight on the policy and external affairs for the Hyderabad Tech Center.

• Establish meaningful and strategic partnerships with patient organizations engaged in the therapeutic areas of India

• Shape the government and policy landscape for implementing patient centric initiatives across therapy areas including rare disease portfolio.

• Lead the development of the annual external affairs plan.

• Drive senior external affairs managers in developing and implementing reimbursement strategies stakeholder management plans policy advocacy plans and communications plans.

• Create programs and development opportunities to nurture talent and continuously upskill team members; Retain key talent identify skill gaps and address these through strategic hires and internal development; Build a high-performance culture within the team benchmarked to achieve industry leadership.

• Collaborate with senior managers and colleagues in solving complex reimbursement or policy problems; Make decisions that align with the companys business objectives and values.

• Build a reputation with key stakeholders as a partner of choice; Leverage relationships with government and stakeholders to provide relevant information and inform decision-making.

• Negotiate with government to achieve mutually beneficial reimbursement listings prices and policy changes.

• Lead efforts to build high-performing cross-functional teams in India across external affairs regulatory medical and marketing.

• Enhance Indias reputation with global colleagues and ensure effective leverage of global resources.

Decisions Made as Director of External Affairs:

• Recruitment of leadership team and staff.

• Identification of submission or other reimbursement opportunities.

• Organization and industry policy positions.

• Pricing and reimbursement strategies.

• Political engagement opportunities and programs.

• Communication strategy and implementation.

• Developing risk mitigation strategies for policy and communications for upcoming issues.

• Robust Stakeholders Engagement to establish brand India among policy makers and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to build a patient-centered policy environment that advances our business goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelors or Graduate Degreein economics pharmacology public policy communications or a related quantitative discipline. An advanced degree (MBA MPA or equivalent) is preferred.

• Bachelors Degree with 8 or more years of external affairs experience OR a minimum of a high school diploma with at least 12 years of equivalent experience which could include: communications media and/or military.

Knowledge:

• In-depth Understandingof public reimbursement evaluation systems.

• Comprehensive Knowledgeof government policy development enactment and implementation particularly in the healthcare sector.

• Familiarity with Regulatory Frameworksgoverning pharmaceuticals and healthcare in India including IP laws and pricing regulations.

Experience:

• Proven Track Recordin managing complex cross-functional teams in a corporate or governmental environment with a focus on external affairs and public policy.

• Demonstrated Accountabilityfor achieving commercial results and external affairs objectives with quantifiable outcomes.

• Extensive Experiencein stakeholder engagement including working with government officials industry associations and healthcare providers.

Skills/ Competencies:

• Strategic Vision: Ability to develop and implement long-term strategies that align with organizational goals and adapt to changing political landscapes.

• Advanced Economic Analysis: Proficiency in health economics and outcomes research with the ability to apply these insights to pricing strategies and reimbursement negotiations.

• Public Policy Advocacy: Expertise in developing and executing advocacy strategies that influence policy decisions at both the state and national levels.

• Exceptional Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication abilities with experience in crafting compelling narratives for diverse audiences including policymakers and the public.

• Negotiation and Persuasion: Proven negotiation skills with a track record of achieving favourable outcomes in complex discussions with government and industry stakeholders.

• Leadership and Talent Development: Experience in building high-performing teams mentoring talent and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

Leadership behaviors:

Growth mindset strong commitment to cross functional collaboration agility demonstrated track record of flawless execution openness to diverse perspectives demonstrated track record of developing and empowering others and - most importantly - role model of the highest standards of ethics and integrity.

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