Director of Public Affairs – Healthcare Sector, London

Hanson Search; City Of London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A strategic communications consultancy is seeking a Director of Public Affairs to lead healthcare campaigns and client strategy. This senior role requires significant experience in public affairs, particularly in the healthcare sector, and the ability to engage confidently with senior stakeholders. The opportunity offers a supportive work culture within a global network focused on delivering impactful results.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in public affairs.
• Strong understanding of UK and EU health policy.
• Proven experience with pharmaceutical clients.

Responsibilities

• Advising senior clients on public affairs strategy.
• Leading cross-market healthcare campaigns.
• Supporting clients with regulatory risk tracking.

Skills

Experience in public affairs

Understanding of health policy

Ability to engage senior stakeholders

Commercial mindset

Collaborative leadership

Job description

Lead public affairs in a fast-moving healthcare landscape

An international strategic communications consultancy is looking for a Director of Public Affairs to lead its growing work within the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. This is a senior role for someone confident advising clients at board level, shaping high-impact campaigns, and guiding market entry and policy engagement across the UK, EU and beyond.

You will join an expert team that advises global businesses and investors at the intersection of regulation, politics, and reputation. With offices in major international centres, the firm offers an open and collaborative culture with strong cross-border integration. Just like a Senior Financial Communications Account Director role demands influence and leadership in finance, this opportunity requires the same impact in the healthcare and policy space.

A leadership opportunity with global impact

As Public Affairs Director, you will be part of the healthcare practice leadership team. You will drive client strategy, lead campaign delivery and develop new business. Your focus will span complex issues, including cross-border healthcare policy, market access, political due diligence, regulatory change and stakeholder engagement.

This is a hands-on, strategic role. You will work with clients to navigate evolving policy debates, launch healthcare products across international markets, and provide high-level counsel on reputational risk and regulatory challenges.

Director of Public Affairs Role

• Advising senior clients on public affairs and policy strategy
• Leading cross-market campaigns with a focus on healthcare and life sciences
• Supporting clients with political due diligence, regulatory risk tracking and issue management
• Growing key client relationships and developing new business opportunities
• Collaborating with international teams to ensure consistent messaging and insight sharing
• Hosting events and thought leadership initiatives on health policy and innovation
• Contributing to team growth, mentoring and the development of a collaborative practice

What we’re looking for

• Extensive experience in public affairs, either in a consultancy, in-house or trade association role
• A strong understanding of UK and EU health policy, including regulatory and market dynamics
• Proven experience working with pharmaceutical or life sciences clients
• The ability to engage confidently with senior stakeholders and lead strategic discussions
• A commercial mindset, with experience in identifying and converting new business opportunities
• A collaborative leadership style and a track record of empowering and developing teams

A workplace that supports your growth

This consultancy offers a supportive, diverse and flexible working culture. You’ll be part of a global network of policy, regulatory and communications experts who are passionate about delivering meaningful impact for clients in complex sectors.

If you have the relevant experience and this opportunity sounds interesting to you, please get in touch with our team, including a copy of your CV as soon as possible via the form below.

Hanson Search is a leading talent advisory and executive search consultancy with consultants based across the UAE, UK, USA, and Europe. We specialise in business-critical roles that drive revenue, reputation, and risk, with dedicated teams in Communications, Government Relations, Financial Communications, Public Affairs, Marketing, Digital Marketing, Sustainability, Healthcare Communications, Investor Relations, and C-Suite recruitment. Please click here to find out more about Hanson Search.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all. You can access our Diversity and Inclusion Policy here.