Director, Government Affairs

As the Director of Government Affairs, you will lead Pharmascience’s efforts in engaging with government entities. This role involves developing and implementing strategies to influence public policy, fostering relationships with key stakeholders and key government officials at municipal, provincial and federal levels and ensure compliance with relevant regulations.

You will be responsible to establish, manage, and build relations with key influencers and decision makers both in federal and provincial governments and industry associations to optimize manufacturing, pricing and reimbursement policies in favour of Pharmascience’s position as a Canadian leader in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Role

In this role, you will work cross-functionally across the organization in support of the overall commercial strategy, and will engage with government on the following policy areas:

• health policy (drug approvals, compliance, patient access, public drug coverage)
• drug development and manufacturing
• economic development policy that supports local manufacturers and exporters
• foreign affairs and international trade
• finance and treasury board
• fiscal policy
• policies impacting human resources (employment, education, immigration, labour)
  
  

Responsibilities

• Lead Pharmascience government relations initiatives, overall messaging and strategy, with governments, industry associations and other audiences. Prepare policy positions and briefs in support of Pharmascience’s positioning on public policy.
• Develop and direct the planning and coordination of a comprehensive and diversified government relations program that will project a unified message about the company while also integrating the individual strategies of the business service lines and addressing corporate growth plans.
• Interact regularly with the company's management and business partners to maintain a current understanding of upcoming initiatives, challenges and opportunities that will affect Pharmascience’s business lines
• Develop government and other stakeholder advocacy strategies that build on Pharmascience’s reputation of providing high-quality, effective and affordable locally manufactured pharmaceutical products.
• Understand and interpret new federal and provincial legislation and regulations that impact the pharmaceutical industry.
• Establish and champion relationships with government officials, advocacy organizations and other key opinion leaders.
• Be a key resource and change agent to solve business issues which have a government relations implication or opportunity
• Serve as the primary point of contact for government inquiries, and represent the organization at public hearings, meetings, and events
  
  

Skills, Knowledge And Abilities

• University degree (master’s degree strongly preferred) in political science, law, communications, economics, journalism or marketing from a recognized university
• 7-10 years of increasing responsibility in government affairs (or public affairs) within the pharmaceutical industry, the healthcare sector, chemical or food processing industry
• Experience with government agencies and inner workings at the senior level (eg. Associate Deputy Minister, Deputy Minister, Minister’s Office)
• Experience managing external suppliers and/or consultants
• In-depth knowledge of the Canadian pharmaceutical reimbursement environment, pricing issues, policies and trends
• Successful experience in leading cross-functional teams
• Bilingualism (English & French) given the interactions with international external partners
• Ability to register as a lobbyist: federal, Québec, Ontario and British Columbia
• Ability to understand market and government needs and use the insight to provide value
• An innate orientation towards people and building relationships
• Strong management skills in working with staff and outside consultants and suppliers
• Excellent communications and inter-personal skills; sound judgement and decision-making skills
• Proficient in making presentations and above average communication abilities
• Effective team player who thrives in a fast-paced environment – ability to work effectively under business and time pressure
• Excellent planning and executional skills, outcome-oriented along with the ability to prioritize
• Self-motivated & self directed to overcome obstacles and maintain a high level of enthusiasm
• Ability to influence internally and collaborate with others
• Policy analytical skills