Public Affairs Manager AT1D

Our Team:

We are seeking a highly motivated and visionary leader interested in shaping the care management of people at risk of developing/or with T1 diabetes.

You will play a pivotal role in shaping national policies to support the successful launch of our innovative new therapy. Your expertise in public affairs, patient advocacy, government relations, and policy development will be instrumental in driving favourable regulatory and policy environments and advocating for the interests of the diabetes community and our company.

As the Public Affairs Manager Autoimmune Diabetes (T1D) for Greater Gulf, you will make a positive impact on the lives of individuals at risk of developing Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) by working towards solutions that bridge the gap between patients and healthcare eco-systems, ultimately improving outcomes and quality of life. Working closely with the local Autoimmune Type 1 Diabetes core team and the broader local corporate affairs functions, you will also collaborate closely with the Global Head of Corporate Affairs Autoimmune Diabetes (T1D) and the Global Patient Engagement and Patient Advocacy Head Autoimmune Diabetes (T1D) to co-develop a comprehensive public affairs plan with significant emphasis on patient advocacy strategies aligned with key business objectives and drive the implementation at the local level in a cross-functional setting.

Beyond public affairs and communications strategy that supports our strategic objectives in type 1 diabetes (corporate affairs strategies on regulatory topics, market access and pricing policies etc), you will establish strong connections with the local Type 1 Diabetes community, fostering relationships, understanding needs and expectations, and ensuring their perspectives are incorporated into the decision-making process with policy makers, and at Sanofi. You will explore community outreach approaches (the at-risk population is not yet a person with diabetes). You will be comfortable in exploring new ways to reach patient communities, influencers, and advocates, wherever they are, whether through offline and online communities, seeking best in class solutions to enhance engagement.

You will work in a complex matrix, reporting to the Greater Gulf Head of Public Affairs , whilst working hand in hand with the local cross-functional team: Communications, Commercial, Medical, Regulatory, Market Access as well as the Global Corporate Affairs team. A proven problem-solver, you will be able to influence stakeholders and navigate the complexities of the high-priority therapy area, whilst being a trustworthy partner to local patient advocacy communities.

Your core responsibilities will include: 

Drive local advocacy strategy & operational plan for Patient Engagement and Advocacy (grassroot advocacy):    

• Drive the local patient engagement and advocacy strategy and tactics focusing on delivering value to the community, society, and Sanofi.
• Collaborate with the Global Corporate Affairs team and local cross-functional Brand team to ensure that local advocacy tactics align with the brand strategy and provide relevant support and expertise.
• Ensure that the "the people’s voice" influences local business strategy, internal and external policies, and contributes to developing innovative approaches to community challenges in line with the community credo ‘nothing about us, without us’
• Work closely with the local communications team to develop innovative awareness campaigns that mobilize the community (people at risk, patients, and their caregivers).
• Engage with external patient/caregiver and relevant organizations to strengthen capability and capacity, enabling effective, sustainable organizations with strong access support
• Ensure alignment with Sanofi's global approach to Patient Advocacy and Patient Engagement.
• Collaborate with cross-functional brand team to develop and execute community-related strategies.

Establish a new paradigm in autoimmune type 1 Diabetes (T1D) by influencing care pathways and local policy environment. In collaboration with the local Corporate Affairs/Public Affairs / Communications team and externally facing functions such as Market Access, Medical, Regulatory, Communications and Commercial teams:

• Ensure an in-depth understanding of Greater Gulf countries policy environment and conduct in-depth research and analysis of national healthcare policies, regulations, and legislative frameworks relevant to our new therapy. Identify gaps, opportunities, and potential challenges in existing policies and develop strategic recommendations to shape favorable policies that align with our business objectives, particularly in establishing policies and guidelines for screening programs.
• Work with cross functional partners to strengthen our position on core policy issues (i.e., people at risk screening) by co-building and conveying evidence and developing a compelling narrative that connects with stakeholders on the need to transform the practice of medicine in this new space
  • Build relationships with key local stakeholders - national organizations, advocacy groups, community groups, academic societies – and create strategic partnerships (traditional and non-traditional) and build coalitions and drive collective efforts to shape national policy
  • Map key stakeholders (national decision makers, patient organizations, community, interest/pressure groups, academic societies, think tanks etc.) & establish an understanding of how stakeholders impact each other in the ecosystem. Tailor engagement to levels of maturity and build towards consensus that can achieve key policy change
  • Establish and maintain strong relationships with key government officials and policymakers at the national level. Act as a trusted liaison between our organization and public affairs stakeholders to foster productive collaborations and influence policy decisions.
  • Understand the patient / family journey to identify policies and perceptions that facilitate or hinder patient access, proactively addressing these, and anticipating potential reimbursement challenges
  • Assess external environmental trends and the eco-system to determine how we can better engage with traditional and non-traditional stakeholders to address challenges and opportunities, and by leveraging new and emerging channels such as social media and digital
  • Partner with the local Corporate Affairs (Public Affairs and Communications) on effective communications strategy & program (incl. media) in the context of a One Sanofi messaging and company story and an aligned General Medicines narrative to support our external communication and enhance our reputation as an industry leader. Ensure alignment and coordination with other Corporate Affairs team members working in the diabetes space
  • Amplify the new Sanofi purpose and our commitment to society by being known as an organization that is making a difference in the health and lives of others

About you

Experience:

• Minimum of 7-8 years in public affairs, government affairs, advocacy with a strong focus on grassroot patient/caregiver advocacy with responsibilities for market-shaping strategies, advocacy campaigns
• Scientific background, knowledge/experience in TA a strong plus
• Languages: Fluent English (oral & written) / Arabic

Soft skills:

• Strategic thinker with a deep understanding of the critical role of patient advocacy in driving business success.
• Strong leadership skills, capable of building consensus, influencing debates, and mobilizing teams across functions and within a matrixed environment.
• Proven ability to act wisely under pressure, and in ambiguous settings, with confidence and poise to present the function and company with internal and external stakeholders such as the media, policy makers, global institutions, trade associations and the patient community.
• Ability to counsel and interface successfully with senior executives and peers in a highly matrixed organization.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills; ability to work quickly, prioritizing multiple initiatives, while being flexible to changing needs and priorities.
• Self-driven and proactive, with a focus on working independently to drive action and achieve impactful results.

Technical skills:

• Proven track record in translating strategy into action, developing impactful advocacy project plans, and deploying effective tools and tactics to achieve business objectives.
• Skilled in developing and cultivating relationships with patient organizations and other strategic partners.
• Excellence in storytelling with proven capability to leverage understanding of internal and external audiences to develop and deliver compelling narratives that align to objectives, connects to stakeholders, and articulates an aligned diabetes story internally and externally. Excellent oral and written communication skills a must.
• Understanding of the local policy environment relevant to the disease area
• Expertise in deploying public affairs concepts, practices, strategies, and tactics based on understanding of key stakeholders and corporate objectives
• Ability to build sustainable relationships with patient organizations and other strategic traditional and non-traditional partners where relevant such as non-profit, multi-lateral organizations, academic societies, and community groups, to build consensus and influence the debate on critical issues.
• Stay updated on local and international regulations, guidelines, and compliance requirements related to pharmaceutical products. Ensure that Sanofi remains in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations while actively contributing to the development of new regulations through effective engagement.

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s Degree in basic sciences, social or political sciences, law, economics, medicine, communications, or international relations.
  • Advanced degree in public health, health care related field, or business (e.g., M.D., PhD, PharmD, MBA or equivalent) will be considered advantageous.