Senior Director, Corporate Affairs Alexion Canada

Alexion; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biopharmaceutical company in Canada seeks a Senior Director of Corporate Affairs. This role involves leading corporate affairs strategy, engaging with governments on policy issues, and overseeing the communications team. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in government relations within a health care setting. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, with fluency in both French and English preferred.

Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in government relations in a health care setting.
• Proven track record of working successfully with both executives and subject matter experts.
• Fluency in both French and English preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute local corporate affairs strategy.
• Align communications objectives with global strategies.
• Engage with governments on policy issues.
• Manage in-country corporate affairs budget.

Skills

Strong written communication skills

Strong verbal communication skills

Knowledge of local media landscape

Broad background in public affairs

Robust experience in international settings

Job description

Overview

The Senior Director Corporate Affairs will lead all corporate affairs for Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease in Canada. The role is responsible for strategy planning and hands-on execution of globally- and regionally-aligned local policy engagement, government affairs, and communications to support Alexion’s reputation and market-shaping ambitions. This position is a member of the Canada Leadership Team and the Europe & Canada Corporate Affairs network within Global Corporate Affairs, reporting to the Senior Director Corporate Affairs Europe & Canada with an indirect report to the General Manager. It will have line management responsibility for the Director of Communications and manage an indirect reporting line from the local Patient Advocacy team to ensure strategic alignment between advocacy, policy, government affairs, and communications.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop the local corporate affairs strategy incorporating policy shaping, advocacy, government affairs, and communication strategy in support of market shaping and reputational ambitions, and execute them in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Ensure strategic alignment between corporate affairs priorities and business drivers including therapy area and market growth priorities.
• Align local communications objectives for corporate reputation, policy shaping, disease awareness, and product communications with global and regional strategies.
• Contribute to and co-develop policy positions and government affairs strategies aimed at delivering a favourable business environment and maximizing equitable patient access.
• Oversee local media relations strategies with a goal to create/seize engagement opportunities to elevate Alexion's leadership in rare disease.
• Monitor and manage issues that could impact Alexion’s success or company reputation.
• Work closely with the EUCAN & International Corporate Affairs teams to support initiatives and implement broader corporate campaigns at the local level.
• Work with the Vice President General Manager Canada and local teams to support local business priorities and employee engagement.
• Collaborate with aligned functions (market access, regulatory, legal, compliance, patient advocacy, commercial, and medical) to maximize business performance and coordination of plans & activities.
• Engage with governments, politicians, payers, trade associations, think tanks, and other stakeholders on policy issues.
• Conduct briefings, meetings, forums, and technical updates for legislators and regulators and their staffs on issues of concern to Alexion.
• Respond to public consultations on behalf of the business to articulate policy positions.
• Build coalitions of support with third-party organizations to deliver multi-stakeholder public affairs campaigns.
• Identify, contract, and lead/manage/oversee agencies engaged to support corporate affairs activities.
• Ensure strategic alignment with AstraZeneca colleagues and priorities at market level.
• Manage in-country corporate affairs budget.
• Effectively manage, mentor, and develop the Director of Communications and ensure strong performance across the local corporate affairs team.
• Be a team player and pitch in on various other department projects as needed.

Essential Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in government relations in a health care setting.
• Strong and broad background in public affairs in the bio/pharmaceutical industry.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven track record of working successfully with both executives and subject matter experts.
• Knowledge of the local media and policy landscape, as well as relationships with national and regional stakeholders.
• Robust working experience in international and intercultural settings.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading communications for an affiliate of a larger health care company.
• Experience working within a European communications team.
• Fluency in both French and English.

Date Posted: 17-Sept-2025

Closing Date: 22-Sept-2025

Alexion is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging where every single person can belong because of their uniqueness. The Company will not make decisions about employment, training, compensation, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment based on race, color, religion, creed or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), parental status (including adoption or surrogacy), military status, protected veteran status, disability, medical condition, gender identity or expression, genetic information, mental illness or other characteristics protected by law. Alexion provides reasonable accommodations to meet the needs of candidates and employees. To begin an interactive dialogue with Alexion regarding an accommodation, please contact [omitted]. Alexion participates in E-Verify.

Required Experience: Exec

Key Skills: Business Intelligence, Bidding, Accounts Assistant Credit Control, Account Development, Content Development, Lab Testing

Employment Type: Full-Time

Experience: years

Vacancy: 1