EU Public Affairs Director

• Location: Brussel
• Hybrid working policy; 3 days in the office/2 days home office

About the job

Sanofi is on course to transform the practice of medicine through breakthrough science and make a positive impact on our people and the communities we serve. Prioritization and focus are helping us unlock and maximize the potential of key medicines and vaccines for people. We aim to become a leading company in immunology and positively impact millions of patients suffering from dermatological, respiratory, gastroenterological, and other immune-mediated diseases.  We have a powerful toolbox of drug discovery platforms that allow us to break scientific ground in six therapeutic areas: Immunology and Inflammation, Oncology, Rare Diseases, Rare Blood Disorders, Neurology and Vaccines. With more than 90,000 people operating in more than 90 countries, Sanofi is transforming scientific innovation into healthcare solutions around the globe. Discover more about us visiting www.sanofi.com or via our movie We are Sanofi.

As an organization, we change the practice of medicine; reinvent the way we work; and enable people to be their best versions in career and life. We are constantly moving and growing, making sure our people grow with us. Our working environment helps us build a dynamic and inclusive workplace operating on trust and respect and allows employees to live the life they want to live.

To achieve our goals, we need strong talent who will help us shape the future of our company and challenge our industry. At Sanofi we aspire to create a work environment where people can thrive, grow, and be at their best every day. Our priority is working with integrity to improve the health and well-being of people and communities where we operate, working towards making a positive impact in the world.

We are seeking a s EU Public Affairs Director with expertise in public policy to drive our advocacy efforts within the European Union institutions and engage with key stakeholders in EU such as civil society organizations and trade associations based in Brussels. 

This role requires a strategic thinker with a deep understanding and experience in policy-shaping and advocacy in the EU, as well as healthcare topics, with a track record of effectively engaging with policymakers to shape policy outcomes. The successful candidate will play a key role supporting the Head of Corporate Public Policy in shaping our advocacy strategy in the EU, building relationships with stakeholders, and advancing our policy priorities related to healthcare.

This role is vital to shape the external policy and operating environment in support of Sanofi business units’ priorities, and to achieve our ambition to become the biopharmaceutical company of reference for the EU institutions. This includes developing and executing a public affairs and policy strategy that lays out a clear plan of action to shape policy and regulatory reforms in the EU that are impacting/shaping how we conduct our business at Sanofi.

The role will require agility to navigate the complex policy, regulatory, and business environment, as well as to provide clear guidance and counsel to Sanofi senior leaders.

Main responsibilities:

• Coordinate and internally projects to define and shape our position in EU regulations, legislations, or EU policy programs.
• Develop policy notes, recommendations, narratives and talking points to be used by senior leaders of the company that define our positions based on EU legal and regulatory context and evolutions of global policies in above country organizations.
• Support stakeholder engagement planning at EU level (strategic advice, stakeholder mapping, action definition, outcome-impact tracking).
• Develop external affairs initiatives (e.g., projects, events, communication assets) to ensure Sanofi is positioned as a thought leader for the EU institutions and secure the strategic positioning of our company in the industry.
• Support EU Public Affairs campaigns with EU institutions that are relevant to Sanofi’s priority for therapy areas and launches.
• Plan, implement and support senior leadership engagements with high-level EU officials and Members of Parliament.
• Prepare briefing documents related to corporate identity and priorities towards key EU audiences and prepare for the Head of Corporate Public Policy the engagement with high level EU official.
• Implement external engagement at technical level towards EU institutions and EU trade associations (mainly EFPIA and Vaccines Europe). 
• Coordinate internal stakeholders and prepare briefings to support ExCom and Senior leaders’ participation in EU-based trade associations (including EFPIA Board).
• Manage budget and projects as senior Project Management Officer of EU based projects and events.

About you

• Experience: extensive experience in public affairs/advocacy roles at EU level.
• Soft skills: Strong ability to collaborate and manage complex matrix projects, with excellent transversal leadership skills and a proven track record in leading cross-functional and cross-country teams.
• Technical skills: Exceptional relationship management abilities, with demonstrated success in gaining credibility and trust at all levels, both internally and with external stakeholders/ Team player mentality, with the capability to engage and collaborate with stakeholders from diverse functions/ Proactive, objective, and diplomatic approach, with the ability to make a positive impact/ Commitment to key values such as respect, courage, and solidarity/ Extensive experience or significant responsibilities in public affairs within the pharmaceutical, healthcare or regulated sectors/ Strong understanding of stakeholder engagement strategies, policy-making processes, and key stakeholders, as well as a solid grasp of the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, country-specific policy environments, and the healthcare landscape/ Proven ability to lead and successfully execute projects and initiatives in complex environments, collaborating with multiple internal and external stakeholders/ Track record of delivering complex projects on time and within budget, with clear measurement of outcomes and impact/ Outstanding communication and writing skills, with the ability to convey messages clearly and effectively, and provide strategic guidance to countries on external communication and key initiatives/ Strong business acumen, with a focus on excellence/ Existing relationships with key external stakeholders in regional or global organizations, and experience working with or building partnerships with government institutions, are considered valuable assets.
• Education: Degree or post-graduate degree in policy, public affairs, or communications.
• Languages: Fluent English (oral & written), other languages beneficial.

Why choose us?

• Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future-focused team.
• Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether it’s through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally.
• Enjoy a thoughtful, well-crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact.
• Drive implementation science, powerful crowdsourcing and open innovation , discovering the ways to bring science to live faster , contributing to a patient first mindset.
• Take good care of yourself and your family, with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including high-quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs and at least 14 weeks’ gender-neutral parental leave.

PursueProgress. Discover Extraordinary.

Progress doesn’t happen without people – people from different backgrounds, in different locations, doing different roles, all united by one thing: a desire to make miracles happen. You can be one of those people. Chasing change, embracing new ideas and exploring all the opportunities we have to offer. Let’s pursue progress. And let’s discover extraordinary together.

At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or gender identity.

Watch our ALL IN video and check out our Diversity Equity and Inclusion actions at sanofi.com!

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