EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - POLICY, COMMUNICATIONS & ESG

Job Description The Executive Director (ED) of Policy, Communication & ESG Strategy for Italy plays a pivotal role in shaping and executing the company's public health policy, public affairs, communication strategy, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives.
This position is crucial for driving policy initiatives at EU, national, and regional levels, and ensuring successful engagement with key stakeholders, including government entities, industry associations, healthcare professionals, patient groups, media, and sustainability partners.
The ED collaborates extensively with internal and external partners to promote innovative medicines and vaccines, while improving and protecting patient access to care and preventative medicine.
The ED will.
Lead the Policy & Government Relations’ team in Italy, aligning the company's strategic and business goals with public authorities' priorities, aiming at putting health on top of the political agenda, Oversee and manage the company's Foundation and ESG initiatives, ensuring their activities align with the company’s strategic objectives and public health and sustainability goal; Maintain continuous dialogue with media in order to provide updated and reliable information coordinating communication leaders to guarantee innovative communication through social and traditional media and maintain a high level of reputation; Ensure the company is invited in the most important fora beyond pharma and healthcare and propose innovative narrative to position the company as the best partner for Italian decision makers; Work closely with Market Access in order to create an ecosystem that allows innovation to be recognized and patients to have access to innovative medicines and vaccines.
Main Responsibilities.
Leadership and Development.
Lead the Italian policy, communications, patient engagement, social business innovation, and ESG teams, consisting of diverse roles across Public Affairs & Communication, Media Relations, Internal Communication, Public Health, CSR, Relations with Patient Associations, and Sustainability.
Develop and nurture Communication, Policy, and ESG talents within the team, engaging the team in the leadership development Provide strategic counsel to the Managing Director of Italy (Sr.
Vice President) and the leadership team, ensuring alignment with regional and global priorities.
Strategy and Policy Development.
Define, develop, evaluate, and disseminate an integrated and coherent public health, public affairs, communication, and ESG strategy tailored for Italy.
This strategy should align with the Group’s global priorities, regional objectives, and the National Health Strategy and System Transformation Strategy.
Maximize Policy & Communication proactive role to meet the Italy's financial goals, advocating health on top of the institutional agenda, partnering with our Customers/Stakeholders to enable a conducive pro-innovation policy environment.
Implement a "bottom-up" approach (gathering needs and projects from Medical Affairs, Market Access, Human Resources, and various Therapeutic Units) and a "top-down" approach (identifying opportunities in the environment to build action programs).
Drive policy strategies focused on key therapeutic areas, including oncology, vaccines, rare diseases, and anti-infectives while preparing the environment for new products in the pipeline Monitor policy and regulatory developments in Italy and proactively address emerging issues by providing strategic guidance and support to company subsidiaries.
Organize top-notch, distinctive policy events, resulting in shaping the environment and in a huge, qualified media visibility.
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication.
Act as the primary spokesperson for the company at external events, fostering relationships with institutional stakeholders, public authorities, health authorities, industry associations, and other key players.
Empower and engage representative bodies, including industry associations and other stakeholder groups.
Ensure consistent and coherent external communication and coordination of institutional communications.
Strengthen public health activities in line with government priorities and agendas.
Maximize the impact of public affairs and communication campaigns around the company’s franchises, considering the evolving political and media ecosystem.
Boost and consolidate top-level relationships with the Italian media network with the final aim of continuously improving the company’s reputation, as well as consolidating the perception of a company strongly rooted in the country and partner of institutions.
Position the company as a partner of trust within the national innovation ecosystems (leveraging our investments in the country) and actively search for new opportunities for improving Company/MD image/reputation.
Actively collaborate with the MD and the Market Access Executive Director to define the strategy/objectives for the new Regional Policy Structure (PAMs) Ensure top-level P&C support to help position the company as the most trustful partner in different therapeutic areas.
Increase focus on patients in all interactions engaging and supporting patients through their journey.
Lead the Donation Committee (ensure effective, fast, accurate triage process - consistent with Compliance - manage the allocated budget, resulting in Audit full annual blessing).
Drive innovation, growth, and productivity, enabled by digital and data, contributing to support business through innovation and experimentation, while experimenting new ways of collaboration/networking with P&C Customers enabled by digital and data, with a special reference to social media.
Project Management and Execution.
Lead and oversee the implementation of defined strategies to successfully carry out various public health, public affairs, communication, and ESG projects in Italy.
Ensure the resource strategy (budget) is effectively managed and adjust priorities in real-time based on the evolving environment and the Group's strategic issues.
Facilitate information exchanges relevant to policy and ESG initiatives between regions/countries and other company groups.
Strategic Consulting and Monitoring.
Utilize professional networks and specific monitoring tools to analyze the political, media, and sustainability environment and national public health and ESG priorities in real-time.
Anticipate legislative, regulatory, and environmental changes related to market access, public affairs, and ESG in Italy and internationally, and assess their impacts.
Adjust the company’s public health, public affairs, communication, and ESG strategy as necessary to align with internal and external factors.
Supervise the drafting of context notes and recommendations by the team to guide the Group's strategic choices.
Inform internal collaborators about the evolving political, public health, and sustainability environment.
Foundation Management.
Oversee and manage the company’s Foundation, ensuring that its activities align with the company’s strategic objectives and public health goals while keeping the firewall with company Italy Develop and implement programs within the Foundation that support community health initiatives, patient education, and other public health activities.
Foster partnerships with non-profit organizations, healthcare institutions, and other stakeholders to advance the Foundation’s mission and objectives.
Ensure transparent and effective use of Foundation resources, providing regular updates to the Managing Director of Italy (Sr.
Vice President) and relevant stakeholders.
ESG Responsibilities.
Lead the development and implementation of the company's ESG strategy in Italy, focusing on sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical governance.
Establish and maintain partnerships with environmental, social, and governance organizations to further the company’s ESG goals.
Ensure that ESG principles are integrated into the company’s operational and strategic decision-making processes.
Measure and report on the company’s ESG performance, providing regular updates to senior leadership and stakeholders.
Promote transparency and accountability in ESG initiatives, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
Engage with stakeholders to promote the company’s ESG initiatives, including employees, customers, investors, regulators, and the broader community.
Required Skills and Experience.
Advanced degree in a relevant field (business, policy, public health management, sustainability, etc.).
5-10 years of experience addressing public policy issues related to pharmaceuticals and/or vaccines, or a related area of healthcare.
Experience in vaccines will be an appreciated plus.
Strong track record in managing high-level stakeholders.
Detailed knowledge of the healthcare public policy process, including the roles and influence of various stakeholders.
Expertise in public policies, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and an understanding of access and reimbursement environments in Italy.
At least 10 years of experience in the health sector, with comprehensive knowledge of health system organization in Italy.
Proven experience in ESG strategy development and implementation.
Strong commercial acumen and demonstrated ability to understand the impact of policy shifts on commercial priorities.
Demonstrated leadership capabilities to identify strategic priorities, bring together different internal stakeholders, and drive resolutions to actions.
Experience in leading high-performing teams and talent development.
Cross-functional leadership skills and the ability to manage through influence.
Cultural knowledge and sensitivity with a proven ability to work collaboratively and inclusively.
Excellent written and oral communication skills in both Italian and English are mandatory.
Skills.
Managerial and leadership skills.
Ability to work cross-functionally.
Analytical thinking and information coherence.
Adaptability and innovation.
Team spirit and strong communication skills (written and oral) in both Italian and English.
Strong understanding of ESG principles and practices.
Empathic approach.
Application Process.
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply with a resume and a cover letter detailing their qualifications and experience relevant to the role, as well as their motivations.
Current Employees apply HERE Current Contingent Workers apply HERE Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully  Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities.
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Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific.
Please, no phone calls or emails.
Employee Status.
Regular Relocation.
VISA Sponsorship.
Travel Requirements.
Flexible Work Arrangements.
Hybrid Shift.
Valid Driving License.
Hazardous Material(s).
Job Posting End Date.
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Job Posting End Date.
A job posting is effective until PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date.
Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.
Requisition ID.
R