Global Public Affairs Head, Rare Neuromuscular and Sickle Cell Disease

Role Summary

The Global Public Affairs Head, Rare Neuromuscular and Sickle Cell Disease leads the public affairs strategy for the Rare Diseases franchise, working with Global Brand Teams and Global Project Team to develop global PA plans aligned with business objectives. They collaborate with Local PA teams to ensure relevance of global strategy, resource prioritization, and consistent execution, focusing on inline assets (Nexviazyme) and pipeline assets (e.g., DM1, rilzabrutinib). Location: Morristown, NJ; Cambridge, MA. The role reports to the Head, Global Public Affairs, Rare Diseases.

Responsibilities

• Drive implementation of a robust Global PA strategy to achieve the franchise vision in prioritized markets, demonstrate commitment to patient communities, support high-priority business objectives, and prepare the environment for significant launches or uptake of new therapies.
• Address unmet needs across the patient journey through scientific exchanges, evidence generation, community engagement, advocacy development, policy-shaping, and other high-impact PA initiatives, including patient access to treatment and elevated care goals.
• Manage strong relationships with patient groups and key stakeholders to ensure the “voice of the patient” informs business strategy.
• Ensure external community input is considered in programs under development or lifecycle improvements.
• Cultivate strategic multi-stakeholder partnerships to bring needed solutions to patients in line with franchise priorities and company position.
• Analyze trends likely to impact public affairs strategy, conduct policy analyses, monitor threats and opportunities, and communicate insights to franchise leadership.
• Serve as strategic advisor and support TA/franchise Heads with external engagements to advance business objectives and Sanofi’s reputation.
• Develop and execute external engagement strategy for senior rare disease leadership to demonstrate Sanofi’s leadership and advance business objectives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners within GBT and GPT to input into broader strategy for rare neuromuscular areas (Pompe, MPS, DM1) and SCD; develop high-impact PA strategies and build cross-functional support for tactical execution.
• Leverage resources across US and Global Corporate Affairs functions to secure alignment and champion one voice.
• Work with local PA teams to ensure global strategies reflect local realities and tool relevance.

Qualifications

• Prior experience in SCD is preferred for this position.
• Experience in market shaping to support product launches, policy and advocacy strategies, and advanced responsibilities in a public affairs role.
• Bachelor’s degree required (e.g., political sciences, law, economics, medicine, or pharmacy).
• Post-graduate degree in public health or health care-related field; Doctorate or MBA or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum 12 years of combined professional experience across Public Affairs, Market Access, Policy or Government Affairs with policy-shaping responsibilities, or other relevant pharma experience.
• Strong collaboration across Local and Global teams.
• Proven ability to lead within a highly matrixed and pressured environment; experience partnering with cross-functional teams (e.g., Medical, Clinical, Regulatory Affairs, Market Access, Communications) preferred.
• Up to 30% travel may be required.

Skills

• Advanced technical, functional, and transversal skills: business acumen, crisis management, healthcare policies, launch strategy, narrative writing, partnership development, policy development, stakeholder relationship management, strategic insights, strategy development.
• Advanced leadership skills: influencing, results orientation, strategic thinking.
• Strong prioritization and project management to secure PA impact in high-value areas.
• Ability to take ownership and lead cross-functional teams on public affairs issues; capable of fast-paced strategy and execution (leader and doer).
• Strategic thinking with understanding of PA’s role in driving business success; track record translating strategy into action and impact; deployment of PA tools with affiliates.
• Team player with collaboration across functions; experienced in building relationships with patient organizations and strategic partners.
• Knowledge of stakeholder groups, including multi-lateral institutions, trade associations, and patient organizations; understanding of healthcare trends and their relevance to business strategy.
• Ability to work with senior leaders in a matrixed organization; excellent oral and written communication.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required (examples: political science, law, economics, medicine, pharmacy); postgraduate degree in public health or healthcare-related field or Doctorate/MBA preferred.

Additional Requirements

• Up to 30% travel may be required.