Enable job alerts via email!

Director - Government Affairs KSA

Julphar

Ras Al Khaimah

On-site

AED 250,000 - 350,000

Full time

8 days ago

Generate a tailored resume in minutes

Land an interview and earn more. Learn more

Start fresh or import an existing resume

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical company in the UAE is seeking a Director of Government Affairs & Strategic Communications. The role focuses on public sector engagement, strategic messaging, and nurturing relationships with key health authorities. Candidates should have significant experience in government affairs within the pharmaceutical sector and strong communication skills in both English and Arabic.

Qualifications

  • 10-15 years of experience in government affairs, regulatory strategy, or strategic communications.
  • Prior experience engaging with GCC, SFDA, NUPCO, MISA, and international health authorities is essential.

Responsibilities

  • Lead public sector engagement and corporate reputation management.
  • Establish relationships with government institutions and regulatory bodies.
  • Develop and implement CSR strategies aligned with public health priorities.

Skills

Diplomatic acumen
Stakeholder mapping
Emotional intelligence
Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy, Medicine, Communications, Law, or related field
Master's degree in Public Health, Government Affairs, or Business Administration

Job description

Job Title: Director – Government Affairs & Strategic Communications

Location: KSA

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer / Chief Corporate Affairs Officer / GM

Role Purpose:

The Director of Government Affairs & Strategic Communications will serve as the organization’s lead on public sector engagement, policy influence, strategic messaging, and corporate reputation management within the pharmaceutical industry. This role is accountable for nurturing institutional relationships with key health and regulatory authorities (e.g., SFDA, MISA, NUPCO, MoH, GCC Health Council), providing strategic advice on regulatory affairs and market access, and positioning the company as a trusted partner in national health priorities.

Additionally, the role oversees external communications, media relations, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), ensuring that all narratives support the company’s mission, drive business continuity, and reinforce stakeholder trust.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Government Relations & Public Policy
  • Establish and maintain high-impact, trust-based relationships with government institutions and regulatory bodies such as SFDA, MISA, NUPCO, Ministry of Health, and relevant parliamentary committees.
  • Monitor, interpret, and influence health policy, pharmaceutical regulation, pricing mechanisms, and procurement strategies.
  • Act as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on regulatory developments, national health priorities, and public policy shifts.
  • Represent the company in government advisory panels, working groups, and public-private dialogue platforms.
  • Support market access and reimbursement efforts by aligning government engagement with commercial objectives.
  • Regulatory & Industry Representation
  • Collaborate closely with Regulatory Affairs, Market Access, and Quality to ensure compliance and effective advocacy with SFDA and regional authorities.
  • Actively engage with local and regional pharmaceutical associations to shape collective positions and secure industry-friendly policy outcomes.
  • Champion local manufacturing initiatives, localization mandates, and sustainability-linked partnerships.
  • Strategic Communications & Media Relations
  • Lead the company’s external communication strategy, ensuring clarity, consistency, and impact across all stakeholder touchpoints.
  • Act as company spokesperson when needed, managing media inquiries and ensuring rapid response during reputational events or product issues.
  • Supervise the development of key messages, press releases, thought leadership articles, and executive speeches.
  • Collaborate with brand and digital teams to elevate the organization’s public image across traditional and digital media.
  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Develop and implement CSR strategies aligned with public health priorities and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals.
  • Identify partnerships with NGOs, ministries, and healthcare institutions to deliver impactful community health programs.
  • Ensure that CSR and sustainability programs are measured, reported, and integrated into the company’s license to operate and brand story.
  • Executive Advisory & Risk Communication
  • Provide executive-level counsel during public health emergencies, pricing crises, or product recalls.
  • Lead the creation of strategic briefing materials for Board, C-suite, and public presentations.
  • Ensure the organization is always prepared with communication risk assessments and mitigation protocols.

Key Capabilities & Competencies:

  • Strong diplomatic acumen and strategic stakeholder mapping
  • Executive presence and high emotional intelligence (EQ)
  • Deep understanding of pharmaceutical regulatory frameworks, public health systems, and reimbursement ecosystems
  • Proven track record of navigating political, legal, and policy environments
  • High resilience and ability to manage pressure and ambiguity
  • Leadership without authority; proven team influence in matrix organizations
  • Excellent writing, presentation, and communication skills in both English and Arabic

Qualifications & Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, Medicine, Communications, Law, or a related field
  • Master’s degree in Public Health, Government Affairs, or Business Administration is a strong advantage
  • 10–15 years of experience in government affairs, regulatory strategy, or strategic communications within the pharmaceutical or life sciences sector
  • Prior experience engaging with GCC, SFDA, NUPCO, MISA, and/or international health authorities is essential

Job Title: Director – Government Affairs & Strategic Communications

Location: KSA

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer / Chief Corporate Affairs Officer / GM

Qualifications & Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, Medicine, Communications, Law, or a related field
  • Master’s degree in Public Health, Government Affairs, or Business Administration is a strong advantage
  • 10–15 years of experience in government affairs, regulatory strategy, or strategic communications within the pharmaceutical or life sciences sector
  • Prior experience engaging with GCC, SFDA, NUPCO, MISA, and/or international health authorities is essential

We value people from different backgrounds. Could this be your story? Apply today or visit www.Julphar.net to read more about us and the journey of Julphar
Get your free, confidential resume review.
or drag and drop a PDF, DOC, DOCX, ODT, or PAGES file up to 5MB.