UK Policy & Positioning Lead

Bayer AG; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 69,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave

Private Healthcare

Pension

Life Insurance

Wellness programs

International career possibilities

Flexible hybrid working

Home office equipment support

Learning & development opportunities

Diversity & inclusive culture

Job summary

Bayer AG is seeking an experienced UK Policy & Positioning Lead to join our Public Affairs team and shape policy positioning, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy in the UK. You will build trusted relationships with government, regulators, and industry bodies while translating business priorities into clear policy positions and engagement plans.

The role offers a hybrid working model in the UK, with responsibilities spanning health, agriculture, innovation, and sustainability policy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Affairs, Law, Economics, Communications, Public Administration, or a related discipline. A Master's degree is desirable.
• Significant experience in Public Affairs, Government Relations, Corporate Affairs, Policy, or a related field, ideally within a highly regulated or science-based sector.
• Proven track record of building trusted relationships with government, policymakers, regulators, industry associations, and senior external stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of UK politics, parliamentary processes, regulatory frameworks, and policy development.
• Experience translating complex business priorities into effective policy positions, advocacy strategies, and stakeholder engagement plans.
• Excellent communication, influencing, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Build trusted relationships with government, parliament, regulators, and other key stakeholders to support Bayer's policy objectives.
• Lead Bayer UK's policy positioning and stakeholder engagement strategy, ensuring a unified company narrative.
• Monitor political, regulatory, and societal developments, identifying risks and opportunities and advising senior leaders.
• Develop policy positions, advocacy plans, briefing materials, and engagement strategies aligning with company priorities.
• Represent Bayer in policy forums and stakeholder discussions, promoting science-based policy.
• Collaborate with Public Affairs, Communications, Sustainability, Regulatory, Market Access, and business teams for coordinated engagements.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Influencing

Policy leadership

Communication skills

Negotiation

Public Affairs experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Political Science

Master's degree desirable

Job description

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At Bayer we’re visionaries, driven to solve the world’s toughest challenges and striving for a world where ,Health for all, Hunger for none’ is no longer a dream, but a real possibility. We’re doing it with energy, curiosity and sheer dedication, always learning from unique perspectives of those around us, expanding our thinking, growing our capabilities and redefining ‘impossible’. There are so many reasons to join us. If you’re hungry to build a varied and meaningful career in a community of brilliant and diverse minds to make a real difference, there’s only one choice.

We are looking for an experienced UK Policy & Positioning Lead to join our Public Affairs team and play a pivotal role in shaping Bayer's policy positioning, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy strategy across the UK.

In this role, you will build trusted relationships with government, policymakers, regulators, industry bodies, and key external stakeholders while helping position Bayer as a credible and constructive partner within the UK policy landscape. You will be responsible for connecting business priorities with the external political, regulatory, and societal environment, anticipating risks and opportunities, and translating these into clear policy positions, advocacy strategies, and stakeholder engagement plans.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Public Affairs, Government Relations, Corporate Affairs, or Policy leader looking to influence major debates across health, agriculture, innovation, sustainability, and the broader life sciences agenda.

What you'll do

• Build and maintain strong relationships with government, parliament, regulators, and other key stakeholders to support Bayer's policy objectives.
• Lead Bayer UK's policy positioning and stakeholder engagement strategy, ensuring a consistent and integrated company narrative across divisions.
• Monitor political, regulatory, and societal developments, identifying emerging risks and opportunities and providing strategic advice to senior leaders.
• Develop policy positions, advocacy plans, briefing materials, and engagement strategies that support the company priorities and enhance Bayer's external influence.
• Represent Bayer in policy forums, and stakeholder discussions, promoting science-based policy and regulatory frameworks.
• Partner with Public Affairs, Communications, Sustainability, Regulatory, Market Access, and business teams to deliver coordinated and impactful engagement activities.

Who you are

• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Affairs, Law, Economics, Communications, Public Administration, or a related discipline. A Master's degree is desirable.
• Significant experience in Public Affairs, Government Relations, Corporate Affairs, Policy, or a related field, ideally within a highly regulated or science-based sector.
• Proven track record of building trusted relationships with government, policymakers, regulators, industry associations, and senior external stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of UK politics, parliamentary processes, regulatory frameworks, and policy development.
• Experience translating complex business priorities into effective policy positions, advocacy strategies, and stakeholder engagement plans.
• Excellent communication, influencing, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills.

What makes you successful

• High political acumen with the ability to anticipate risks, identify opportunities, and provide strategic counsel to senior leaders.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills, with the confidence to operate at executive level internally and externally.
• A collaborative leadership style with the ability to align diverse stakeholders across functions, divisions, and geographies.
• Strategic thinker who can connect policy developments to commercial and reputational outcomes.
• Passion for shaping meaningful policy discussions and advancing Bayer's contribution to health, agriculture, innovation, and sustainability.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, matrix environment and embracing new ways of working.

Join us and help shape the future of Bayer in the UK by influencing policy, strengthening stakeholder partnerships, and advancing solutions that support better health, sustainable agriculture, and innovation for society.

At Bayer, we're committed to helping our employees grow their careers while making a positive impact. You'll join a collaborative global team where your expertise is valued, your development is supported, and your work directly contributes to bringing innovative therapies to patients around the world.

Your Application

“Be You” at Bayer where you have the opportunity to be part of our culture influencing Health for all and Hunger for none.

We value our employees and believe that rewarding your contributions is essential to our shared vision. Discover the exceptional benefits awaiting you as a valued member of #Teambayer

Compensation and Benefits

Salary you can expect: Up to £115,000 depending on skills and experience. Salary reviews take place annually in April.

• Competitive compensation package consisting of an attractive base salary and annual company bonus.
• Individual bonus can also be granted for top Talent Impact
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Private Healthcare, generous pension scheme and Life Insurance
• Wellness programs and support
• International career possibilities
• Flexible and Hybrid working
• Help with home office equipment
• Support for professional growth in a wide range of learning and development opportunities
• We welcome and embrace diversity providing an inclusive working environment

The best possible work-life balance is of great importance to us, which is why we support flexible hybrid working model.