Head Of Public Affairs - Gulf Cluster

Summary

As the Government Affairs Leader, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the healthcare,political and legislative landscape in Gulf to maximize business opportunities for Novartis. You will provide thought leadership in public policy, drive a cross-divisional government affairs strategy, and lead government affairs activities. You will also manage short-term issues and crises with significant business and reputational impact. As a member of the country leadership team, you will be the functional leader for government affairs and key insight provider and contact person for government related topics and stakeholders.

About The Role

Job Responsibilities

• Political & Legislative Engagement: Influence healthcare, political and legislative processes to advance access to innovation and serve Novartis’s strategic objectives and maintain strong relationships with key government stakeholders.
• Business Alignment: Align Novartis’s strategies with Gulf Vision to maximize healthcare opportunities.
• Public Policy Leadership: Deliver evidence-based insights and collaborate across government, industry, academia, and associations to position Novartis as a thought leader and drive access enabling policies.
• Integrated Strategy: Develop and execute a unified government affairs strategy supporting all Novartis divisions through effective cross-functional collaboration.
• Crisis & Risk Management: Anticipate, manage, and mitigate high-impact issues with robust risk frameworks and transparent crisis response.
• High-Level Stakeholder Engagement: Build strategic relationships with senior government officials to advocate for Novartis’s interests and enable effective communication.
• Geopolitical & Economic Analysis: Monitor macroeconomic and geopolitical trends to inform strategies that safeguard and advance business objectives.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Drive alignment within the country executive team and divisional government affairs staff, ensuring strategic consistency and engagement with senior leadership.
  
  

Minimum Requirements

• A degree in healthcare, Political Science, Public Policy, Law, or closely related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in government affairs, public policy, or a related field with significant experience in the healthcare or pharmaceutical industry.
• Local Policy and Gulf Market Experience: extensive experience with local policies and a deep understanding of the Gulf market dynamics.
• Must be Arabic and English language speakers.
  
  

Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Benefits and Rewards: Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards

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