Country Head of Public Affairs

Bringing life-changing medicines to millions of people, Novartis sits at the intersection of cutting-edge medical science and innovative digital technology. As a global company, the resources and opportunities for growth and development are plentiful including global and local cross functional careers, a diverse learning suite of thousands of programs and an in-house marketplace for rotations and project work. With strong medicines pipeline our current transformation will not just deliver growth for our business but continue to allow us to bring innovative medicines to patients quickly.
- As part of the IMI transformation, we now have an opportunity for a Country Head of Public Affairs to join our leadership team. You will be the Country Lead taking overall accountability for all public policy and government affairs strategies and operations that support achievement of our Innovative Medicine International, ANZ business.
- Your Responsibilities:
- To support the Country President in delivering their responsibilities for government stakeholder engagement, leading and taking overall accountability for all public policy and government affairs strategies and operations that support achievement of Group, Pharma, Oncology and Sandoz business objectives.
- To anticipate and manage (in close collaboration with Country Communications Lead) public affairs related issues in order to protect and enhance Novartis business and reputation.
- To contribute to the overall country organisation/Group success, coaching senior leaders on all aspects of political stakeholder engagements
- To ensure alignment across Divisions and functions in the country organisation/Group
- To serve as the lead spokesperson for Novartis to policy stakeholders
- To develop and enhance Public Affairs capabilities and build a best-in-class talent pipeline.
- To assist the Country President and Senior Leadership on interactions/issues relating to the Australia and New Zealand Industry Groups
- Devising and executing the Public Affairs strategy, plan and stakeholder mapping
- Understanding and anticipating policy developments in Australia + timely alerting and advising on impact to business
- Landing Public Affairs engagement on policy shaping for new therapies, disease awareness, product launch support for all divisions including the development of policy positions and government affairs programmes aimed at delivering a favourable business environment and maximising patient access to Novartis medicines
- Engaging with government, bureaucracy, trade associations and other relevant stakeholders on policy issues
- Managing political contributions policy, including internal and external disclosure responsibilities
- Responding to government consultations on behalf of the business to articulate policy positions
- Supporting and briefing senior leaders on external meetings
- Active membership of the Country Leadership Team (CLT), as Country Head of Public Affairs
- Overseeing and leading the Novartis engagement with trade associations (i.e. Medicines Australia, AusBiotech, Generics Biologics Medicines Association), including securing and staffing business leadership in Therapeutic Area Boards, leading and motivating a highly experienced team of Public Affairs professionals to deliver the above
- Work closely with: Country Communications Lead, General Managers, Business Franchise Heads, Launch Excellence, Medical Directors and Market Access.
- Collaborate with global and regional Public Affairs and commercial colleagues to ensure alignment with global strategy and alignment of the Novartis voice to external political/government stakeholders - leads the Public Affairs council in NVS Australia
- Responsible for supervision of professional staff including full time permanent employees and contractors
- Management of relationships with relevant external agencies and advisers
- Negotiation and management of budget for Public Affairs Compliance and Integrity
- Works within the Novartis policies and ensures those around him/her do the same
- Works to ensure a diverse and inclusive environment free from all forms of discrimination and harassment

**Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion**:

- Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve._

**Minimum requirements**
- What you’ll bring to the role:
- University educated, in politics, science, communications and/or marketing English
- Track record of delivering successful development of policy and policy influencing programmes in the healthcare/pharmaceutical space
- A solid grounding in Australian Federal and State political processes
- Pharmaceutical experience preferred
- Experience of leading and managing a team gained in: another Australian healthcare company public affairs department and/or a Australian public affairs agency, with a focus on healthcare and/or a third sector organisation with a healthcare foc