Director, Government Affairs & Industry

AstraZeneca; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global biopharmaceutical company is seeking a Director, Government Affairs & Industry to shape its national government relations strategy in Canada. The role involves leading a high-impact team, engaging with governmental stakeholders at all levels, and driving policy priorities that enhance patient accessibility and innovation in healthcare. Ideal candidates will have over 10 years of experience in government affairs and a strong understanding of the Canadian political landscape, alongside excellent communication skills. Join to influence key policy decisions and advance healthcare innovations.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in government affairs, policy development, or corporate affairs.
• Deep knowledge of Canadian federal and provincial policy environments.
• Ability to communicate economic and societal impact assessments.
• Experience in aligning policy strategy with business objectives.
• Bilingual English-French proficiency is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute national government affairs strategy.
• Develop strategies measuring AstraZeneca's economic and societal impacts.
• Lead stakeholder engagement with government partners.
• Act as a convenor for key internal roles regarding government affairs.
• Oversee strategic engagement within Innovative Medicines Canada.

Skills

Leadership Experience

Political & Government Affairs Expertise

Impact Analysis Skills

Strategic Acumen & Stakeholder Management

Trade Association Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Advanced qualification in public policy, political science, economics, law

Job description

Role Overview:

The Director, Government Affairs & Industry is a senior leader and key member of the Corporate Affairs Leadership Team. This role is accountable for designing, shaping, and driving AstraZeneca Canada’s national government relations strategy. The Director drives a coordinated, enterprise-wide engagement approach across federal, provincial, and municipal levels, aligned to a clear vision and business strategy. The Director is an expert communicator and planner, engaging both internally and externally to ensure stakeholder understanding.

Working cross-functionally, the Director leads and develops a diverse team of field experts—building a unified, high-impact team with a shared vision and strong collaboration. The Director is a trusted internal advisor who informs business strategy and regularly briefs Canadian and global AstraZeneca executives on policy developments relevant to our priorities. They clearly convey priorities and regularly measure and articulate the impact of their team’s effort and outcomes.

The role also leads AstraZeneca’s strategy and operational plan within Innovative Medicines Canada, ensuring effective cross-functional participation, CEO-level engagement and alignment, and advocacy for policy positions that foster innovation and expand patient access. This role will also support AZ’s position as Board Chair at IMC.

This role calls for a politically astute, results-driven and high-values leader who thrives at building & driving strategy, advocacy, and influence, to advance AstraZeneca’s reputation, policy priorities, and societal impact across Canada.

Key Responsibilities:

• National Government Affairs Strategic Plans and Execution: Designing, communicating and completing a cohesive GR strategy that focusses on the biggest opportunities to unlock the power of AstraZeneca’s science for Canadians. Build plans and achieve buy-in across Corporate Affairs, Market Access and others, to drive success of core policy priorities across provincial and federal governments.
• Economic & Societal Impact Strategy and Execution: Develop compelling strategies that measure and communicate the economic and societal contributions of AstraZeneca’s Canadian head office, key partnerships and clinical investments. Leverage these to drive policy priorities, supporting external advocacy and internal decision-making. Enable the identification & development of critical evidence necessary for policy priority advancement.
• Critical Policy Execution and Impact: Advance strategic initiatives aligned to Corporate Affairs policy priorities, including accelerating access to medicines, and improving sector competitiveness via economic policy change.
• External Stakeholder Engagement: Lead the coordination and execution of AstraZeneca’s proactive engagement with federal, provincial, and municipal government partners. Support, and lead where appropriate, engagement with other key life sciences and health care partners. Build and execute strategies to raise our corporate profile with key decision makers and advance our policy priorities. Build trusting relationships aligned to our values.
• Internal Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a convenor of key internal cross-functional roles, including Alexion, ensuring GR input into core business and TA strategy, and regularly and proactively providing timely, high-quality briefings to Canadian and global executives on key GR issues and advancements
• Trade Association & Industry Leadership: Lead our strategic and operational engagement within Innovative Medicines Canada, including CEO briefings, industry coalitions, industry team representation and advocacy efforts. Support AZ’s role as Board Chair’s in all IMC matters.
• Head Office Footprint Expansion and Impact: Guide and deliver government engagement at all levels supporting the growth and prominence of AstraZeneca’s Ontario operations.
• Team Leadership & Cohesion: Unify and coach a group of regionally-focused government affairs experts, fostering collaboration, shared purpose, and consistent guidelines across Ontario, Quebec, and Canada.

Required Experience, Skills, and Qualifications:

• Leadership Experience: Strong track record leading multidisciplinary teams and integrating cross-functional government affairs initiatives. At least 10+ years in government affairs, policy development, corporate affairs or related fields.
• Political & Government Affairs Expertise: Deep knowledge of Canadian federal, provincial, and municipal policy environments, with established relationships in Canada, Ontario and Quebec; experience delivering government affairs strategies in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, or life sciences sectors.
• Impact Analysis Skills: Capability to communicate economic and societal impact assessments relating to industry presence and investment.
• Strategic Acumen & Stakeholder Management: Ability to align policy strategy with business objectives, provide impactful executive briefings, and influence internal/external partners.
• Trade Association Leadership: Involvement in industry groups with strategic representation responsibilities, ideally at a national leadership level.
• Communication: Superior written and verbal communication with both internal and external partners. Bilingual English-French proficiency an asset.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced qualification in public policy, political science, economics, law, or a related field preferred.

Why This Role Matters:

In this role, you will directly shape the future of healthcare in Canada by advancing policies that expand patient access and drive innovation. Your leadership will influence key decision makers, elevate AstraZeneca’s profile in Canada and Globally, and make a measurable difference in the lives of Canadians. Join us to lead real change at the intersection of health, policy, and industry.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world!

At AstraZeneca, we are driven by our mission to bring life‑saving medicines to patients worldwide. Our commitment to decreasing global mortality rates is unwavering as we shape the future by identifying scientifically‑led commercial opportunities. We thrive on energy and pace, embracing opportunities to progress within our BioPharmaceuticals Business Unit. Here you'll find a fusion of scientific knowledge and commercial acumen that empowers us to make an impact at every step of the patient journey.

Ready to take your career to new heights? Apply now to join our dynamic team!

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination. AstraZeneca is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Such accommodation is available on request in respect of all aspects of the recruitment, assessment and selection process and may be requested by emailing [e-mail].

Date Posted

28-Nov-2025

Closing Date

11-Dec-2025

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry‑leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non‑discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.