Director - Government & Regulatory Affairs

Julphar; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 187,000 - 263,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical company in Saudi Arabia is seeking a Director of Government Affairs & Strategic Communications. This role will manage public sector engagement, public relations, and corporate reputation, ensuring alignment with health priorities in the pharmaceutical industry. The ideal candidate will have 10-15 years of experience in government affairs or regulatory strategy, strong diplomatic skills, and fluency in English and Arabic. Applicants should have relevant degrees in Pharmacy, Medicine, or related fields.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years of experience in government affairs or regulatory strategy in life sciences.
• Prior experience with GCC, SFDA, NUPCO, MISA, or international health authorities.
• Proficiency in English and Arabic.

Responsibilities

• Engage with government institutions and regulatory bodies to establish trust.
• Lead external communication strategy and manage media relations.
• Develop CSR strategies aligned with public health priorities.
• Provide counsel during public health emergencies and pricing crises.

Skills

Diplomatic acumen

Leadership without authority

Excellent writing skills

Strong emotional intelligence

Knowledge of pharmaceutical regulatory frameworks

Stakeholder mapping

Ability to manage pressure

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, Medicine, Communications, Law, or related field

Master’s degree in Public Health, Government Affairs, or Business Administration

Job description

Job Title: Director – Government Affairs & Strategic Communications

Location: KSA

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer / Chief Corporate Affairs Officer / GM

Role Purpose

The Director of Government Affairs & Strategic Communications will serve as the organization’s lead on public sector engagement, policy influence, strategic messaging, and corporate reputation management within the pharmaceutical industry. This role is accountable for nurturing institutional relationships with key health and regulatory authorities (e.g., SFDA, MISA, NUPCO, MoH, GCC Health Council), providing strategic advice on regulatory affairs and market access, and positioning the company as a trusted partner in national health priorities.

Additionally, the role oversees external communications, media relations, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), ensuring that all narratives support the company’s mission, drive business continuity, and reinforce stakeholder trust.

Key Responsibilities

1. Government Relations & Public Policy

• Establish and maintain high-impact, trust-based relationships with government institutions and regulatory bodies such as SFDA, MISA, NUPCO, Ministry of Health, and relevant parliamentary committees.
• Monitor, interpret, and influence health policy, pharmaceutical regulation, pricing mechanisms, and procurement strategies.
• Act as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on regulatory developments, national health priorities, and public policy shifts.
• Represent the company in government advisory panels, working groups, and public-private dialogue platforms.
• Support market access and reimbursement efforts by aligning government engagement with commercial objectives.

2. Regulatory & Industry Representation

• Collaborate closely with Regulatory Affairs, Market Access, and Quality to ensure compliance and effective advocacy with SFDA and regional authorities.
• Actively engage with local and regional pharmaceutical associations to shape collective positions and secure industry-friendly policy outcomes.
• Champion local manufacturing initiatives, localization mandates, and sustainability-linked partnerships.

3. Strategic Communications & Media Relations

• Lead the company’s external communication strategy, ensuring clarity, consistency, and impact across all stakeholder touchpoints.
• Act as company spokesperson when needed, managing media inquiries and ensuring rapid response during reputational events or product issues.
• Supervise the development of key messages, press releases, thought leadership articles, and executive speeches.
• Collaborate with brand and digital teams to elevate the organization’s public image across traditional and digital media.

4. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) & Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and implement CSR strategies aligned with public health priorities and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals.
• Identify partnerships with NGOs, ministries, and healthcare institutions to deliver impactful community health programs.
• Ensure that CSR and sustainability programs are measured, reported, and integrated into the company’s license to operate and brand story.

5. Executive Advisory & Risk Communication

• Provide executive-level counsel during public health emergencies, pricing crises, or product recalls.
• Lead the creation of strategic briefing materials for Board, C-suite, and public presentations.
• Ensure the organization is always prepared with communication risk assessments and mitigation protocols.

Key Capabilities & Competencies

• Strong diplomatic acumen and strategic stakeholder mapping
• Executive presence and high emotional intelligence (EQ)
• Deep understanding of pharmaceutical regulatory frameworks, public health systems, and reimbursement ecosystems
• Proven track record of navigating political, legal, and policy environments
• High resilience and ability to manage pressure and ambiguity
• Leadership without authority; proven team influence in matrix organizations
• Excellent writing, presentation, and communication skills in both English and Arabic

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, Medicine, Communications, Law, or a related field
• Master’s degree in Public Health, Government Affairs, or Business Administration is a strong advantage
• 10–15 years of experience in government affairs, regulatory strategy, or strategic communications within the or life sciences sector
• Prior experience engaging with GCC, SFDA, NUPCO, MISA, and/or international health authorities is essential

We value people from different backgrounds. Could this be your story? Apply today or visit www.Julphar.net to read more about us and the journey of Julphar.