Global Public Affairs Head, Rare Neuromuscular and Sickle Cell Disease

Role Summary

The Global Public Affairs Head, Rare Neuromuscular and Sickle Cell Disease serves as a PA expert to the Rare Diseases franchise. Works with the Global Brand Teams and Global Project Team to develop global public affairs strategies that meet key business objectives, collaborating with Local PA teams to ensure alignment and execution. Develops and executes global public affairs plans for inline (Nexviazyme) and pipeline assets. Location: Morristown, NJ; Cambridge, MA.

Responsibilities

• Drive implementation of a robust Global PA strategy to achieve the vision for the franchise in prioritized markets, establishing the company’s commitment to the patient communities across the portfolio, supporting high priority business objectives, and preparing the environment (market shaping) for significant launches and/or uptake of new therapies.
• Through scientific exchanges, evidence generation, community engagement, advocacy development, policy-shaping, and other high impact public affairs initiatives, address unmet needs across the patient journey, including patient access to treatment, and elevate care goals.
• Manage strong relationships with patient groups and key stakeholders to ensure that the “voice of the patient” is central in shaping business strategy.
• Ensure external community input is considered/incorporated into programs currently in development and/or life cycle improvements.
• Cultivate strategic multi-stakeholder partnerships to bring needed solutions to patients in line with the priorities of the franchise and consistent with overall company position.
• Understand important trends likely to impact business and public affairs strategy – conduct policy analyses, monitor and analyze potential threats, opportunities from external developments and communicate them effectively to the franchise leadership.
• Serve as strategic advisor and support the TA/franchise Heads with external engagements to advance business objectives and Sanofi’s reputation.
• Develop and execute external engagement strategy for senior rare disease franchise leadership to demonstrate Sanofi’s leadership in rare and advance business objectives.
• Collaborate closely with key cross functional partners within GBT and GPT to input into the broader strategy for rare neuromuscular areas (Pompe, MPS, DM1) and SCD, develop high impact public affairs strategies and build cross-functional support on tactical execution (e.g., scientific exchange, clinical trial awareness with PAGs, ad board/roundtable, multi-stakeholder partnerships, evidence generation).
• Leverage resources and expertise across US and Global Corporate Affairs functions (Specialty Care and Corporate), secure alignment and champion one voice.
• Work with local PA teams to ensure global strategies reflect local realities and relevance/utility of global tools.

Qualifications

About You

• Preferred: Prior experience in SCD is preferred for this position.
• Required: A minimum of a bachelor’s degree (accredited four-year College or university, e.g., political sciences, law, economics, medicine, or pharmacy).
• Preferred: Post-graduate degree in public health or health care related field / Doctorate degree or business (e.g., M.D., PhD, PharmD, MBA or equivalent) is preferred.
• Required: A minimum of 12 years of combined professional experience across Public Affairs; Market Access; Policy or a Government Affairs position with policy-shaping responsibilities, or other relevant pharma experience.
• Required: Strong collaboration across the Local and Global teams.
• Preferred: Identified candidates will have proven experience in developing and leading within a highly matrixed and pressured environment.
• Preferred: Previous experience partnering with cross-functional teams (e.g., Medical, Clinical, Regulatory Affairs, Market Access, Communications).
• Travel: This position may require up to 30% overall travel.

Skills

• Advanced technical, functional, transversal skills: business acumen, crisis management, foster innovation, healthcare policies, launch strategy, narrative writing, partnership development, policy development, stakeholder relationship management, strategic insights, strategy development
• Advanced leadership skills: influencing others, result-oriented, strategic thinking
• Strong ability to prioritize projects, conferences, internal meetings, in alignment with business leaders, to secure public affairs impact in areas of highest value for the organization
• Take ownership, rally and lead the cross-functional team on public affairs issues
• Able to move fast with a focus on both strategy and execution (leader and doer)
• Strategic thinker with demonstrated understanding of the strategic role of PA in driving business success
• Solid track record in translating strategy to action and impact: developing high impact PA strategies, deploying PA tools, including with affiliates, and tactics to meet business objectives
• Team player, skilled in collaboration and able to work and lead with ease cross-functionally and within a matrix
• Skilled at developing and cultivating relationships with patient organizations and other strategic partners
• Strong knowledge of stakeholder groups, including multi-lateral institutions, trade associations, patient organizations
• Knowledge of the healthcare industry, appreciation of critical trends shaping the operating landscape and relevance to industry/business strategy
• Demonstrated ability to work with teams of experts and senior leaders in a highly matrixed organization
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Comfortable in ambiguous settings and in operating effectively in fast paced environments

Education

• Bachelor’s degree (required)
• Post-graduate degree in public health or health care related field / Doctorate degree or business (e.g., M.D., PhD, PharmD, MBA or equivalent) is preferred

Additional Requirements

• Up to 30% travel may be required