Director, Head of Government Affairs – Saudi Arabia and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
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Role Overview
The Director, Government Affairs – Saudi Arabia and GCC, reports to the Executive Director, Head of Government Affairs, Intercontinental Region.
The role develops and executes Government Affairs strategies across Saudi Arabia and selected GCC markets.
The position advises the Saudi General Manager and Middle East leadership on healthcare policy, political, regulatory, and market developments.
Key Skills for This Role
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About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences develops therapies and works to improve access to treatments for major health challenges including HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, and cancer.
The role operates within Gilead's Middle East and Intercontinental Region leadership structure.
Role Overview
The Director, Government Affairs – Saudi Arabia and GCC, reports to the Executive Director, Head of Government Affairs, Intercontinental Region.
The role develops and executes Government Affairs strategies across Saudi Arabia and selected GCC markets.
The position advises the Saudi General Manager and Middle East leadership on healthcare policy, political, regulatory, and market developments.
Leadership
- Serve on the Middle East Leadership Team and contribute to business strategy and performance.
- Serve on the Intercontinental Region Government Affairs Leadership Team and contribute to regional priorities.
- Provide strategic counsel on policy developments, stakeholder engagement, and external risks and opportunities.
- Champion Gilead's culture, values, and leadership commitments.
Government Affairs Strategy
- Develop and execute Government Affairs strategies supporting business priorities across Saudi Arabia and GCC markets.
- Shape policy discussions concerning healthcare reform, pharmaceutical innovation, access, reimbursement, and public health.
- Position Gilead as a trusted partner supporting national healthcare transformation agendas, including Saudi Vision 2030.
- Support policy environments that enable innovation in HIV, oncology, liver disease, and cell therapy.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Build relationships with government officials, policymakers, healthcare authorities, industry associations, and other stakeholders.
- Develop engagement plans for ministries, procurement agencies, investment authorities, and public health institutions.
- Represent Gilead in external forums and support senior leadership with guidance, messaging, and briefing materials.
- Establish partnerships that advance public health priorities and patient access to innovation.
Business Partnership
- Partner with Market Access, Medical Affairs, Commercial, Regulatory Affairs, and Public Affairs teams.
- Support launch readiness, lifecycle management, access to innovative medicines, and advanced therapies.
- Support initiatives involving economic participation, localization, healthcare transformation, and long-term health system partnerships.
Intelligence and Projects
- Monitor healthcare, political, and policy developments across Saudi Arabia and GCC markets.
- Assess risks and opportunities and provide policy intelligence and actionable recommendations to leadership.
- Lead complex Government Affairs projects, cross-functional workstreams, external consultants, and regional initiatives.
Qualifications and Experience
- At least 10 years of experience in Government Affairs, Public Policy, Market Access, Public Affairs, or related healthcare disciplines.
- Strong knowledge of the healthcare and pharmaceutical policy environment in Saudi Arabia.
- Experience engaging government stakeholders and healthcare authorities in Saudi Arabia and ideally the broader GCC region.
- Experience in the innovative biopharmaceutical industry is preferred.
- Experience in virology, oncology, cell therapy, or specialty medicines is desirable.
Leadership and Communication
- Strong cross-functional leadership, stakeholder management, executive presence, strategic thinking, business judgment, and analytical skills.
- Ability to influence senior leaders and lead through influence rather than direct authority.
- Excellent communication, influencing, and presentation skills.
- Fluency in English is required; Arabic language skills are desirable.
Education
- Bachelor's degree is required.
- An advanced degree in Public Policy, Public Health, Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Economics, Law, or Business Administration is preferred.
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