Head of Government Affairs and Institutional Alliances

The Head of Government Affairs & Institutional alliances will lead all Government Affairs activities for AstraZeneca in Italy. She/he is responsible for the strategy, planning, and hands-on execution of local policy and government affairs activities representing AstraZeneca with national institutions, government and member of parlament to support AstraZeneca’s  market shaping ambitions, and will be translate into the local plan global and regional programs and priorities.
This role will report to the VP Market Access & Government Affairs and will have line management responsibility for the Government Affairs Managers.

Job Duties & Responsibilities
•    Develop the local government affairs strategy, incorporating policy shaping, in support of our market shaping, and execute them in collaboration with cross-functional teams. 
•    Ensure strategic alignment between government affairs priorities and business drivers, with special focus on TA and payer policy activities, communications and PA and regional affairs activities.
•    Contribute to and co-develop policy positions and government affairs strategies aimed at delivering a favourable business environment and maximizing equitable patient access.
•    Monitor and manage issues that could impact AstraZeneca  success or company risks and opportunities
•    Work closely with the EUCAN & International Corporate Affairs teams to support initiatives and implement broader initiatives at the local level.
•    Collaborate with aligned functions (market access, communications, regulatory, legal, compliance, patient advocacy, commercial, and medical) to maximize business performance and coordination of plans & activities
•    Engage with Governments, politicians, policy makers, trade associations, think tanks and other stakeholders to mitigate and solve policy issues
•    Conduct briefings, meetings, forums and technical updates for legislators and policy makers and their staffs on issues of concern to AstraZeneca 
•    In strict alignment with functions involved, elaborate policy positions addressed to decision makers
•    Build coalitions of support with third party organizations to deliver multi-stakeholder public affairs campaigns
•    Identify, contract and lead/manage/oversee agencies engaged to support government affairs activities
•    Ensure strategic alignment with AstraZeneca colleagues and priorities at market level.
•    Effectively manage, mentor and develop the Government Affairs Managers, and ensure strong performance across the local government affairs team.
•    Be a team player and pitch-in on various other department projects as the need arises.

Essential Qualifications
•    10+ years of experience in in-house and/or agency corporate affairs, government relations in a health care setting. 
•    Strong and broad background in public affairs in the bio/pharmaceutical industry.
•    Strong written and verbal communication skills.
•    Proven track record of working successfully with both executives and subject matter experts. 
•    Knowledge of the local political and legislative/regulatory landscape as well as relationships with national and regional stakeholders.  
•    Robust working experience in international and intercultural settings. 
•    Fluency in both Italian and English.
•    based role in Milan or Rome

Preferred Qualifications
•    Experience leading government/corporate affairs for an affiliate of a larger health care company. 
•    Experience working within a European corporate affairs team.