Global Head of Public Affairs & Communications, General Medicines

Job title: Global Head of Public Affairs & Communications, General Medicines

• Location: Paris (France)
• Grade: LE1.2
• Hiring Manager: Head of General Medicines (Olivier Charmeil)

About the job

At Sanofi, we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. Scientific discoveries don’t happen overnight or without hard work, but our determination to find answers for patients motivates us to develop breakthrough medicines and vaccines – and to never settle.

General Medicines is one of Sanofi’s three divisions and is focused on improving the day-to-day health of millions of patients around the world, reversing the rapid global growth of chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and launching innovative therapies in areas such as Transplant and Type One diabetes. General Medicines is continuously evolving to stay relevant to customers with the following strategies:

• Growing core assets and increasing their reach with new digital health business models
• Coupling technology with clinical expertise to better understand patient needs, empowering them to manage chronic conditions.
• Rebuilding pipeline through internal and external innovation and label extensions.
• Boosting omnichannel strategy for customers and patients, using data and AI to personalize the way they engage them.

The Global Head of Public Affairs and Communications holds a key leadership position within the General Medicines organization and the Global Corporate Affairs extended leadership team. This individual oversees current communication and public affairs initiatives while crafting innovative strategies to connect with stakeholders and support business priorities. In this senior strategic role, the Global Head of Public Affairs and Communications reports directly to the Global Head of General Medicines GBU 

About the team

The team reporting to this role consists of 10 professionals, with some holding combined roles in Public Affairs and Communications and others in transversal communications roles. They are externally focused, impact-driven, and bring in the external voice to shape strategies that support business priorities. The team also leads impactful internal communications to drive employee engagement.

Main responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a global communications and public affairs strategy that responds to the external environment and aligns with business objectives whilst enhancing Sanofi's reputation and standing with external stakeholders. Partner with business and functional leaders to advise on corporate affairs strategies to shape the environment for the launch of new innovative therapeutic assets whilst also providing strategic support to our established products franchise.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government entities, trade associations, patient associations and internal teams, to support business priorities. 

• Public Affairs Expertise: Understand the external macro-economic and political landscape to create strategies that both leverage and respond to the external environment. Influence public policy to support Sanofi's business objectives and enhance its reputation. 

• Digital Expertise: Leverage digital communications strategies, including social media and data analytics, to drive impactful storytelling and stakeholder engagement. 
• Team Leadership: Lead and develop a high-performing team of communications and public affairs professionals, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. Focus on talent development and key capabilities building that will meet evolving and future needs
• Innovative Communications: Craft and execute innovative strategies to connect with stakeholders, leveraging digital platforms and data analytics for impactful storytelling. Act as spokesperson for relevant crisis management topics. Build and animate the communication of General Medicines product portfolio, effectively positioning products and integrating digital into the approach.
• Internal Communications: Align leadership around a compelling narrative and lead internal communications to drive employee engagement  and foster a culture of transparency and collaboration. 
• Business Transformation: Contribute to the rejuvenation and transformation of the General Medicines organization, supporting its product and brand portfolio through strategic communication efforts. Build a comprehensive communication strategy including a compelling narrative to support the GBU modernization and drive employee engagement.

• Corporate Social Responsibility: Drive the CSR agenda for the GBU aligning with corporate and business priorities in this area.

About you

• Experience:
  • You are a senior leader in global public affairs and communications, with proven experience in corporate affairs, strategic planning, team leadership, and strong influencing skills in a global, complex, and highly matrixed environment.
  • Prior product launch experience is desirable, with an ability to operate in a multi-disciplinary environment to build integrated stakeholder engagement plans that support launches
  • Proven experience as a strategic leader, capable of operating at senior level, especially during significant company-wide and business transformations, while being hands-on and team oriented.
  • Experience in Pharmaceutical, healthcare or highly regulated sectors
  • Comfortable and credible with senior leaders, with a demonstrated track record of developing influential relationships both internally and externally

• Soft and technical skills:
  • You have passion for change and transformation, with a sense of urgency and drive for results and impact.
  • Clear business acumen, understanding how to manage internal and external communications and public affairs in a heavily regulated industry.
  • Leadership via influence, including high-level stakeholder management, engaging internally to mobilize, engage, and inspire an organization.
  • Strong understanding of social media platforms, strategies, and formats, and knowledge of emerging trends around collaboration and engagement. Understanding of different audiences’ engagement, including employee engagement strategies.
  • Excellent collaboration, a natural team player.
  • Ability to counsel and interface successfully with senior executives and PA & communications peers.
  • Strong focus on measurable impact, results-oriented, can-do attitude.
  • Accountability and reliability.
  • Ability to manage budget and timelines.
  • Resilience, able to manage crisis

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Public Affairs, Communications, Political Science, Business or a related field

• Languages: Native English desired. French would be a plus

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.
• 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.
• Play an instrumental part in creating best practice within our manufacturing facility

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!