Associate Vice President, International Government Affairs

Position description

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world.

Position Overview:

As a Global Government Affairs Leader focusing on international business, this role will be reporting to SVP, Global Government Affairs and supervising a team of experts in engaging with governments and other collaborators on key issues that affect Lilly’s business and reputation.

You will play a pivotal role in shaping and implementing strategies to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and champion positive relationships with governments worldwide. You will be responsible for representing our organization’s interests at the intersection of public policy, international relations, and business operations. This position requires a keen understanding of global political dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and a strategic attitude to drive business growth while ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations.

At a high level, you will:

• Be the accountable single point of contact for International Government Affairs and direct liaison for the Executive VP of Lilly International Business Unit.
• Lead the International vision and strategy, planning and achieving of high-reaching objectives.
• Develop industry leading Government Affairs capabilities in major markets OUS.
• Provide robust information flow for Lilly executive leadership.
• Identify Government Affairs capacity needs, especially at affiliate level.
• Identify, coordinate and drive International Business Unit CA priorities (e.g., Obesity, ALZ). To include coordination on senior executive engagements. Share Best Practices across affiliates.
• Represent International Business Unit needs in emerging corporate initiatives to accelerate our company’s reach and scale.

Key Responsibilities:

Government Relations Strategy:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive and aligned Government Affairs strategy for Lilly International, in collaboration with the SVP, Global Government Affairs, the SVP, Global Public Policy, and Therapeutic area leaders as well as the EVP of Lilly International.
• Identify key partners, policymakers, and regulatory bodies at the national and international levels.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments that may impact the company’s operations and proactively engage with relevant authorities to advocate for favorable policies.
• Collaborate with business liaisons (e.g. Product BU Corporate Affairs teams) in the development of communication plans for drug launches, key data releases and disease awareness.
• Provide strategic direction to Affiliates on legislative issues, advocacy, and communications strategy that can enhance Lilly’s position as a trusted partner for health solutions.

Policy Advocacy and Lobbying:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key government officials and influencers, and advocate for Lilly’s interests on topics such as intellectual property, taxation, pricing, reimbursement, market access, and trade.
• Lead and support third party organizations that can help advance Lilly’s agenda and reputation with governments and other stakeholders.
• Influence and drive trade association strategy to align with Lilly’s goals, improving integrated campaign development across communications and advocacy, and working with product teams to plan and resource communication activities.

Strategic Partnerships:

• Find opportunities for strategic partnerships with government agencies, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to advance shared objectives, such as sustainable development and corporate social responsibility.
• Leverage external relationships to gain insights into emerging trends, legislative priorities, and geopolitical risks that may impact the organization’s business operations.

Communication and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Engage with internal and external collaborators to build consensus around legislative priorities and advocacy initiatives.
• Serve as a spokesperson for the organization on government affairs issues, both internally and externally, including media engagements and public speaking opportunities.

Compliance and Risk Management:

• Collaborate with internal collaborators, including legal, compliance, policy, and regulatory teams, to ensure adherence to applicable laws and regulations across global markets.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies to address legislative challenges and geopolitical uncertainties.
• Manage the International Government Affairs budget and business planning process, and ensuring compliance, process improvement, collaboration, and productivity across the function.

Talent Management and Organizational Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop an impactful team of leaders and professionals in a matrixed environment.
• Recruit top talent to support the company’s growth objectives and critical initiatives.
• Promote a culture of learning and development to empower employees and enhance organizational capabilities.
• Train, direct, and empower the affiliate level Government Affairs staff to implement effective programs and campaigns that align with the global strategy and local needs.
• Identify and address capability and resource gaps, replicating successful strategies and tactics from other affiliates, and communicating effectively with internal collaborators across geographies.
• Share best methodologies and takeaways across affiliates and identifying capacity gaps and opportunities for improvement.

Basic Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, International Relations, Law, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Extensive experience (12+ years) and leadership in government affairs, public policy, or related fields, with a focus on international business and regulatory compliance.

Additional Preferences:

• Advanced degree preferred
• Significant experience leading teams in a large global organization and highly matrixed environment to accomplish stretch goals.
• In-depth knowledge of global political and regulatory environments, particularly in key markets relevant to the organization’s business operations.
• Consistent track record of successful advocacy and relationship-building with government officials (US and Foreign Government), industry associations, and other collaborators.
• Designed and delivered integrated public affairs strategies for various clients and projects.
• Led media relations with international outlets, securing coverage and reputation.
• Influenced trade association strategy, coordinating with organizational goals and values.
• Supported and ensured launch excellence in related to key therapeutic areas.
• Strong analytical skills and critical thinking capabilities, with the ability to anticipate and respond effectively to emerging challenges and opportunities.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively across functional teams and influence decision-making at all levels of the organization.
• Fluency in multiple languages and experience working in multicultural environments is a plus.

Location:

Washington, DC or Indianapolis, IN. Other major global hubs OUS will be considered.

Application instructions

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