Associate Director, Policy and Access

Syneos Health Communications; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Syneos Health Communications is seeking an experienced Associate Director to enhance our Policy & Access practice. The role will focus on supporting clients in navigating complex policy, access, and healthcare system challenges, requiring a blend of health policy expertise and strong leadership abilities.

The successful candidate will lead strategic programs, work collaboratively across various teams, and contribute to the growth of the practice while mentoring team members, becoming a trusted advisor to clients.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in health policy, market access, or related fields.
• Experience in leading client programs for pharmaceutical or healthcare organizations.
• Strong communication, research, analytical and consultancy skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic policy and access programs for pharmaceutical clients.
• Provide counsel on healthcare policy and market access issues.
• Monitor healthcare policy trends and translate them into client insights.

Skills

Health policy expertise

Market access knowledge

Healthcare systems understanding

Strong consultancy skills

Leadership abilities

Relationship building

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Job description

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Associate Director to help shape and scale our growing Policy & Access practice within PR & External Affairs. This role focuses on strengthening and expanding a Europe-based practice that supports clients navigating complex policy, access, and healthcare system challenges.

The successful candidate will work closely with colleagues across the Syneos network to develop integrated solutions that combine policy, access, communications, advocacy and stakeholder engagement expertise.

The role requires expertise in health policy, market access or healthcare systems, combined with strong consultancy, leadership, and relationship‑building skills. The Associate Director will provide strategic counsel to clients, lead business growth and practice development, and strengthen the role of policy and access expertise across the wider PR & External Affairs business.

We are looking for someone who enjoys solving complex problems, working collaboratively with colleagues and clients, and identifying opportunities to create greater impact.

Candidate Profile

• Has significant experience in health policy, market access, healthcare systems, public affairs or a related field.
• Has experience leading client programs and providing strategic counsel to pharmaceutical, biotechnology or healthcare organizations.
• Is intellectually curious and enjoys tackling complex healthcare challenges.
• Is comfortable operating in ambiguity and helping clients navigate uncertainty.
• Can build trusted relationships with clients, colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Has experience leading, mentoring and developing teams.
• Demonstrates a proactive, growth‑oriented mindset and the ability to identify opportunities beyond the immediate brief.
• Brings strong communication, research, analytical and consultancy skills.
• Enjoys working collaboratively across disciplines, functions and geographies.
• Demonstrates an openness to emerging technologies, inc. the application of AI‑enabled tools to enhance strategic thinking, client solutions and ways of working.

Experience in the following areas would be advantageous:

• Health policy, health systems and access environments in one or more of Europe, LATAM and APAC regions.
• Market access, HTA, reimbursement or evidence‑generation programs.
• Business development and organic growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead strategic policy and access programs for pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients.
• Provide high‑quality strategic counsel on healthcare policy, market access and health system challenges.
• Identify and lead on both organic growth and new business development.
• Contribute to the continued development and growth of the Policy & Access practice.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across PR & EA, Medical Communications, Commercial, Clinical and other Syneos business units to develop integrated client solutions.
• Support the development of team members through coaching, mentoring and leadership.
• Monitor emerging healthcare policy and access trends and translate them into actionable client insights.
• Contribute to thought leadership, capability development and innovation across the practice.

How Success Will Be Defined

Client Impact

• Deliver high‑quality strategic counsel and programs that help clients achieve their objectives.
• Build trusted relationships with clients and become a valued advisor.

Practice Growth

• Contribute to revenue growth through organic expansion and new business opportunities.
• Support the development of new capabilities, services and thought leadership.
• Help strengthen and expand the Policy & Access practice within PR & External Affairs.

Collaboration

• Build strong relationships across the Syneos network and contribute to integrated client solutions.
• Actively support collaboration across European and international teams.

Leadership

• Develop and support team members to achieve their potential.
• Contribute positively to the culture, reputation and long‑term success of the practice.

Personal Development

• Continue to build expertise, networks and leadership capabilities.
• Develop a personal profile aligned to the growth ambitions of the practice and broader business.

Syneos Health companies are affirmative action/equal opportunity employers (Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled).