Career Category

Government Affairs

Job Description

Purpose of the role:

An exciting opportunity reporting to Amgen Saudi GM to lead and deliver our Pharma Government Affairs strategy across priority brands and strategic projects, as well as coordinating Amgen engagement with trade associations.

This is a highly visible role, working with senior leaders across the business and requires the ability to understand the commercial implications of public policy.

The purpose of this role is to lead the Governmental affairs for Amgen Saudi towards engaging with all influencing key healthcare stakeholders and policy makers in the Kingdom and across the key sectors. The role will develop and execute engagement supportive strategies with public policymakers, enhance Amgen reputation and establish relationships with trade associations. this role will build relationships with policymakers and develop an advocacy plan to disseminate clear, well-cadenced policy and regulatory recommendations advocating on behalf of Amgen Saudi. In addition, this role will be part of a community of in-market (AMCHAM, RPCC, …) advocacy leaders sharing policies, approaches, and best practice for their own stakes.

Key responsibilities:

Develop Stakeholder engagement approach:

• Developing policy positions and government affairs programs aimed at delivering a favorable business environment and maximizing patient access to Amgen medicines in the Kingdom

• Building stakeholder map in consultation with VA&P, Medical and BUs Leadership teams to ensure all interested parties are fully involved, to the relevant degree Developing clear and common approach to engaging with and influencing key stakeholders across the Kingdom.
• Supporting and briefing GM and LT  leaders on external meetings
• Gaining buy-in of the approach and the key messages with the LT Team and Extended Leadership team.
• Keeping the Leadership team abreast of impact, advancements, challenges, and effectives of the strategy on a regular basis.
• Interface with other Group field teams stakeholders to align on tactical and customized approach.

Analyze and interpret policies:

• Mapping policy makers and policy influences across each of the sectors and Authorities (MOH, MISA, MOC, Local content, Clusters, PAG), hand in hand with V&A leads.
• Mapping policy making decision structures in each of the Authorities.
• Understanding policies that may positively or negatively impact Amgen’s business strategy.
• Analyzing these policies and understand how we need to influence and who we need to influence.
• Developing key messaging to influence policy makers, policy influences and regulatory audiences ensuring these messages are in line with the tone and priorities of Saudi 2030 vision.
• Cascading this messaging internally to raise awareness and ensure those who need to be informed are fully aware of all necessary information and approach.

Develop a community of Advocacy Leaders:

• Building relationships with the key advocacy leaders across pharma sector environment.
• Develop a community of practice with this group to help with sharing of best practice, supporting each other.
• Identifying gaps of advocacy in any of the territories and working with local business leaders to develop a method of fulfilling local needs (through capability building internally or utilization of external support).

Communicate and influence:

• Build an effective external network of support to enable this advocacy strategy.
• Build a strong network of stakeholders for Amgen Saudi
• Identify the enablers and blockers to the delivery of the advocacy strategy.
• Critically assess the impact of influence across each of the sectors and authorities and agree, with LT  actions to improve.

The Candidate

• 10-15 years’ experience in the Pharma sector in external affairs area with proven ability, and unmistakable evidence of success in these roles. Supporting academic standing with a degree / masters in a related subject would be desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in and a passion for Sustainability and pharma transformation, and the stakeholders involved in this landscape.
• Ability to partner with an influence stakeholders across the kingdom landscape.
• Record of accomplishment and evidence of building a strong external network including policy makers and government organizations and the experience of delivering this through others.
• Demonstrated ability to manage public policy issues, navigate government structures, and advocate effectively before government officials internationally. 
• Experience of working in a devolved structure with a broad range of professionals in different geographies.
• Track record of setting out a clear and well-defined advocacy and stakeholder engagement plans. Strong ability to build a team, a community and align a group of advocacy leaders around one approach and plan.
• Ability to develop the skills of the advocacy community and proven experience developing a team
• Experience of translating ‘business’ needs into policy positions, negotiation with internal stakeholders in developing these
• Strategic mind-set coupled with the ability to analyze and understand the implications of policies across multiple authorities and sectors.
• Excellent communication skills with strong interpersonal and leadership skills. 
• Fluency in one other language (preferably English) is desirable but not essential.

Skills

• Ability to provide strategic counsel, often under pressure, to senior leaders on policy and government affairs issues;
• Strong networker able to manage a large number of external relationships;
• Ability to work cross-functionally, navigate large complex organizations and manage a high number of senior internal customers;
• Proven ability to understand and clearly communicate complex and technical topics simply and succinctly;
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills;
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills.

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