Director, EMEA Government Affairs

Alexion Pharma International

Brussels, Belgium

Reports to: Senior Director Government Affairs EMEA 

Alexion is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and delivering life-transforming therapies for patients with severe and life-threatening rare diseases. Patients with these devastating diseases often have no effective treatment options, and they and their families suffer with little hope. Our goal is to deliver medical breakthroughs where none currently exist. We are driven because we know people's lives depend on our work. Our first commercial product is Soliris® (eculizumab), the world's first and only approved terminal complement inhibitor. Today, Soliris is approved in nearly 50 countries as a treatment for patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), and in nearly 40 countries as a treatment for patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). Both PNH and aHUS are life-threatening, ultra-rare diseases that are caused by chronic uncontrolled complement activation.

Alexion continues to evaluate other potential indications for Soliris and is also investigating additional highly innovative biotechnology product candidates across multiple severe and ultra-rare disorders beyond PNH and aHUS. These include asfotase alfa, a first-in-class targeted enzyme replacement therapy for the treatment of hypophosphatasia (HPP); ALXN1007, a novel anti-inflammatory antibody being evaluated for the treatment of patients with graft versus host disease involving the lower gastrointestinal tract (GI-GVHD) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS); and ALXN1101, an enzyme co-factor replacement therapy for the treatment of patients with molybdenum cofactor deficiency (MoCD) type A. 

Further information about Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. can be found at: www.alxn.com.

Position Summary 

Alexion’s Global Government Affairs team is seeking a qualified Director candidate to help develop and execute successful regulatory policy and payer strategies to ensure patient access to Alexion products, and to advance Alexion’s global policy objectives throughout the EMEA region. 

Specifically, the Director will assist the GGA team in monitoring, identifying, assessing and communicating legislative and regulatory policy risks and opportunities. The Director will work directly with the broader GGA team in developing and implementing strategies, and will partner with the relevant country managers in support of local strategies and objectives. Successful candidates also will be responsible for regularly communicating advocacy activities to internal stakeholders, and for helping translate relevant policy developments into meaningful guidance and strategic advice to various levels of interested stakeholders within and outside of the company. 

Principal Responsibilities

As a key member of the Government Affairs team, the Director is required to have a variety of skills and experience and will be responsible for driving Alexion’s advocacy efforts:

• Lead and manage efforts to analyze and develop/implement recommendations and strategies regarding policy and price/reimbursement issues impacting Alexion’s portfolio;
• Analyze, synthesize and translate information into meaningful decision points, recommendations, strategies and tactics;
• Prioritize tasks, and organize and manage multiple projects while maintaining an understanding of national and global perspectives;
• Lead strategy discussions and communication efforts with key government officials relating to legislation, regulation, pricing/reimbursement and other policy initiatives;
• Manage communication and partnership efforts with external local stakeholders including trade associations, patient advocacy organizations, and provider specialty and patient groups, as appropriate;
• Communicate and partner directly with internal cross-functional teams;
• Coordinate projects with external consultants as needed or appropriate;
• Demonstrate ability to take initiative and consistently deliver high-quality work products;
• Communicate frequently and effectively with manager and identified stakeholders.

Qualifications

Qualified candidates must be fluent in German and English. Should have a minimum of 5-8 years related experience, and an advanced understanding of health care policy development, local regulatory processes and contacts. 

Education

A University degree is required.

Competencies

• Project Management: Strong planning and organization skills with the ability to set priorities effectively and efficiently, identify areas that need further research, and multi-task on a number of issues;
• Strategic Ability/Problem Solving: Superior strategic, problem solving and analytical skills;
• Advocacy/Partnership: Ability to work effectively in and across the management structure and to collaborate with, partner and influence others not under their direct control; ability to work across functions and in multiple cultures; and an ability to work collaboratively with third party partners. Ability to work independently, and to contribute to highly functioning and geographically diffuse team;
• Writing: Ability to write, edit and translate policy and business documents (e-mails, memos, and PowerPoint presentations) clearly, succinctly and in a timely manner;
• Speaking/Presentations: Comfort and ability to present information to large group of internal colleagues, including senior executives, and external audiences in a clear and concise manner.

As a leading employer in our industry, Alexion is proud to offer a highly competitive package of base and incentive compensation as well as a comprehensive benefits program designed to support the health, wellness and financial security of our employees and their families. To learn more about Alexion, please visit www.alxn.com or download our App for iPhones and Blackberries.

Please click here in order to complete your application.