Director Policy & Risk Communications (m/f/d)

As a member of the Communications & Engagement (C&E) function, the Director, Policy & Risk Communications will drive communication programs to shape a favourable environment for patient access and innovation and will build the policy comms practice area capabilities, processes, etc. She/he will co-lead the Policy Communications network, alongside a partner from Novartis Group Public Affairs, to coordinate policy messaging and engagement around global policy topics such as medicines pricing, IP, Trade, etc. for use in non-policy specific communications across C&E. In addition, he/she will partner with Region Europe and US colleagues to strengthen engagement on US and EU pricing and access.

The Director, Policy & Risk Communications will also drive risk communications to ensure advanced preparedness in the Novartis approach to issues, crisis and risk communications and partner with business continuity and crisis management team. She/he in the event of a major incident, threatening on-going operations or the reputation of the company, will coordinate the Crisis Communications Team virtual team (CCT) communications response across the global organization in line with key internal and external stakeholders. The Director, Policy & Risk Communications will be deputy to the Crisis, Issues and Risk Communications Lead.

So, what’s the job?

• Policy Communications (50%), oversee upstream legislation Comms process, represent CBS & EE in GPA Leadership Team as standing guest and Input into executive briefings, ensure holistic narrative in close collaboration with GPA
• Drive select communications campaigns (planning; audiences; markets; messaging; exec spokesperson) around policy priority topics – value for innovation, Trade, IP regulations, health systems strengthening. Work with agencies on campaigns and for day-to-day support; SPOC for key policy Comms topics, tactical and operational support: media briefings for executive spokespeople – editing, briefing, chaperone, debriefing, monitoring reports
• Closely work with (1) neighbouring C&A units; leverage ONE C&A hub capacity: Digital Content & Campaigns (e.g. geo target social profiles); Associate Engagement (e.g. capability building by sensitizing to political framework), (2) GPA as main partnering function; Align with GPA on 2022 objectives, ways of working and shared resources, (3) key countries and regions – focus on US and EU, (4) Align with R&D Communications and Investor Relations (e.g. assess mid stage pipeline against current policy frameworks) and (5) Build new audience profiles: political influencers; «policymakers+»
• Design and topic steer for political stakeholder meetings and events (e.g. WEF) map and prioritise key stakeholder events, sharpen and streamline topics, strengthen Novartis brand and collaboration with key markets / country Comms via network
• Scenario planning and preparation for policy issues and crises, identify political reputation risks and map political crises scenarios, business partner with BCM/NEM Response teams, activate and operationally lead the external communicators within the Crisis Communications Team (CCT) in case of an event in collaboration the Crisis, Issues and Risk CEO Lead, cluster mid stage pipeline and late stage program to policy and account for increased response time in political crises situations – focus on tactical agility
• Risk Communications (50%), Support the Issues and Risk Center of Excellence (CoE) communications response management strategy for crisis, issues and risks which includes key principles of internal and external risk communications provided through the CoE which outline best practice for communicators to follow in preparing for, responding to and recovering from incidents at all levels of the organization.
• Deputise for the leader of virtual cross functional and global communications teams to deliver integrated communications and change management activities designed to proactively enable Novartis internally and externally to address key issues and business critical topics. This is includes the CoE, the Crisis Communications Team virtual team (CCT) and the communications network as appropriate for the full range of potential and actual issues and crises
• Deputise for the leader of the enterprise issues/crisis communication response processes and framework through the CoE, accountable for global, country and site response strategies in line with the global response strategies and Novartis Emergency Management (NEM) structures and the CoE, in particular, providing trainings for communicators and involved stakeholders e.g. Public Affairs and local/site NEM Communicators. Provide guidance and coaching on crisis communications management to communicators globally, and be the subject matter expert and thought leader in case of issues/crisis that could impact the reputation of Novartis and safety of associate, in close collaboration with the CCT

Diversity & Inclusion / EEO:

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Minimum Requirements – What you’ll bring to the role:

• MA degree in Communications, Political Sciences or Business
• Fluency in English, written and verbal. Other language skills highly desirable with high preference for German
• 10+ years of Communications and Public Affairs experience.
• Healthcare industry experience required.
• Consultancy or agency experience desired

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