Director, US Policy & Issues Communications

$174,400 - $261,600/Yr

Novartis - East Hanover, NJ

Full-time - Senior

East Hanover, NJ

Chemical Manufacturing

About the position

As the Director of US Policy & Issues Communications at Novartis, you will play a pivotal role in safeguarding and enhancing the corporate reputation of Novartis within the US healthcare landscape. This position is crucial for managing risks and shaping the narrative around key healthcare policies and issues that affect patients, healthcare professionals, and the pharmaceutical industry. You will be responsible for defining and managing strategies that elevate Novartis's visibility and position on critical US healthcare policies and issues management, ensuring that the company is proactive in its communications and responsive to emerging challenges. Your responsibilities will include proactive and reactive issues management, editorial planning, and forecasting. You will serve as a key advisor to the US business and corporate affairs teams, providing insights and strategies related to US policies and issues. Collaboration with the US media relations team will be essential, as you will provide media support and training for key spokespeople on policy and market access topics. Additionally, you will act as a trusted business partner and communications strategy counselor to senior leaders, particularly in areas such as Compliance, Public Affairs, and Market Access. In this role, you will create comprehensive strategies and narratives to support the Market Access story and engage business leaders effectively. Utilizing analytics and insights, you will inform your strategies and report on outcomes, ensuring that Novartis remains ahead of industry trends and policy changes. You will oversee the US Policy & Issues Communications Manager and serve as the approved media specialist for healthcare policy and related issues on behalf of Novartis. Building and maintaining collaborative relationships with key US functions and global corporate affairs colleagues will be vital to your success. You will also monitor and evaluate performance to achieve best-in-class outcomes while managing budgets effectively and maximizing agency ROI.

Responsibilities

• Define and manage strategy to shape Novartis visibility around key US healthcare policies and issues management.
• Conduct proactive and reactive issues management, including editorial planning and forecasting.
• Advise US business and corporate affairs on reputation levers, insights, and strategy related to US policies and issues.
• Collaborate with the US media relations team to provide media support and training for key spokespeople.
• Serve as a trusted business partner and communications strategy counselor to senior leaders in Compliance, Public Affairs, and Market Access.
• Create strategy and visibility platform to support the Market Access story and business leaders.
• Utilize analytics and insights to inform strategy and report outcomes.
• Stay ahead of US and industry issues and policies, advising senior leaders proactively.
• Oversee and manage the US Policy & Issues Communications Manager.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with key US functions and communications partners.

Requirements

• BA/BS required, advanced degree a plus.
• 15+ years of experience in corporate communications, public affairs, or related discipline, with a healthcare and/or pharmaceutical background.
• Strong reputation and issues management experience in the US market; background in US healthcare policy.
• Expertise in media relations and media relationship management.
• Development and implementation of integrated communications plans and content.
• Strong writing skills with editorial oversight and project management experience.
• Experience managing agency partners and budgets.
• Stellar issues management and US policy communications strategy skills.
• Critical thinking and predictive mindset with analytical acumen to shape industry landscapes.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to counsel and influence top US leaders.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in a dynamic and ambiguous matrix environment.
• Ability to inspire, mentor, and lead teams.

Benefits

• Restricted Stock Units (RSU)
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• 401(k) eligibility
• Vacation and sick time benefits
• Discretionary awards and sign-on bonus options.