One of our most exciting clients are seeking an important leadership hire within their External Affairs team. This role will focus on policy, patient advocacy, and external engagement within the rare disease space. The successful candidate will lead strategic initiatives to influence government and health system policy, engage with patient communities, and support the adoption of innovative therapies across the UK and Ireland.
Key Responsibilities:
* Develop and implement advocacy strategies to shape policy and support access to therapies in rare diseases.
* Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, patient organizations, trade associations, and other external stakeholders.
* Monitor and analyze emerging policy and political developments and provide strategic guidance to internal teams.
* Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including commercial, medical, and access teams, to ensure alignment on advocacy priorities.
* Support communications efforts to raise awareness of key initiatives and maintain consistent messaging across stakeholders.
Required Skills & Experience:
* Significant experience (10+ years) in policy, government affairs, public affairs, or patient advocacy, ideally within healthcare, biotech, or pharmaceutical sectors.
* Proven ability to engage with senior policymakers, clinicians, and patient organizations.
* Strong experience in external affairs, including media engagement and trade association representation.
* Demonstrated skill managing complex, high-profile projects and cross-functional teams.
* Excellent strategic thinking, communication, and influencing skills.
* Track record of delivering measurable impact through advocacy and policy initiatives.
Qualifications:
* Educated to degree level or equivalent.
* Experience working in matrix organizations or global functions is preferred.
* Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
* Strong business acumen and understanding of healthcare systems in the UK & Ireland.
About Planet Pharma
Planet Pharma is an American parented Employment Business/Agency that provides global staffing services with its head-quarters in Chicago and our EMEA regional office located in Central London. We have invested significantly in creating a robust international platform that enables us to work compliantly in 30+ countries with a current network of 2500+ active contractors globally as well as a very strong permanent / direct hire recruitment offering.
Our specialist knowledge and close relationships with our clients and the wider industry really makes us unique in our field. Just recently we were recognized by FORBES as the 17th best professional staffing firm, and have won multiple awards from industry accredited bodies for our commitment to excellence and service delivery. We have extensive functional expertise including: Regulatory Affairs, Pharmacovigilance, QA, QC, Submissions experts, Clinical development, Quality, Biostatistics, and Medical Affairs / Writing.
We are an equal opportunities Recruitment Business and Agency.
We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.