Government Affairs Manager

Company Overview

AbbVie’s mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Head of Public Affairs and Communications, the Governmental Affairs Manager performs a pivotal function within AbbVie. The GA Manager develops and maintains strong relationships with mostly external stakeholders such as government, policy makers, politicians, key opinion leaders, and decision makers in healthcare. Leading programs that focus on creating win-win situations for patients, stakeholders, and AbbVie, this role raises awareness and understanding of AbbVie’s added value to patients and other stakeholders, the broader healthcare system, Dutch society, and our planet.

The GA Manager closely cooperates with the Public Affairs and Communications team and wider organization to strengthen AbbVie’s reputation by ensuring appropriate communications. For example, you will have 1-1 conversations, attend industry meetings and events, as well as create and review position papers, consultation responses, and talking points for senior leaders.

Highlighted Responsibilities

• Anticipate and address governmental, political, and other external stakeholder trends, policies, and legislation with capacity to (negatively) impact patient care, the Dutch healthcare system, and AbbVie’s market presence, product positioning, and reputation.
• Build and maintain a strong strategic external stakeholder network in- and outside The Hague to establish trusting, productive partnerships, and initiatives in support of patient care, our key products, public health, and policy areas.
• Review and analyse legislative and regulatory policy developments in consultation with relevant colleagues to assess the level of impact on the company.
• Develop detailed action plans and ensure senior management buy-in to address governmental proposals and actions to make sure patients have access to innovative healthcare while society benefits in the long term.
• Increase the (internal) understanding of the value of stakeholder engagement and encourage active participation in the policy-making and political processes on behalf of AbbVie.
• Play an active part within Market Access & External Affairs department and identify opportunities to deliver on our department and affiliate objectives.
• Collaborate with agencies to direct resources to support program objectives. Manage agency resources to ensure successful completion of projects and assignments within budgets. Help manage agency performance and provide feedback on a consistent basis.

Qualifications

• Relevant master’s degree and some professional experience, preferably as a policy officer or political advisor in the House of Representatives or in a public affairs consultancy firm.
• Experience in governmental/public health environment is an advantage.
• Proven extensive network. You know the way in the political, administrative, and legislative environment.
• Ability to travel within the Netherlands and to work independently.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills. Excellent, effective, and adaptable team skills to positively impact communication and affiliate strategy.
• High degree of strategic thinking, decision-making and creating action plans, as well as tactical knowledge to execute plans and address issues expeditiously.
• You are a flexible team player with a passion for networking.
• You can balance well between strategic and operational work.