Résumé
Purpose of the role:
This role holds end-to-end accountability for shaping Novartis’ health policy footprint in Switzerland focusing on shaping healthcare policy and fostering a favorable environment for patient access to innovation. The Lead Public Affairs designs enterprise-aligned strategies to navigate complex healthcare ecosystems, balancing business objectives with societal expectations. Direct ownership of political risk/reward calculus and close collaboration with the local Leadership Team is required. The Lead Public Affairs will leverage political expertise, stakeholder networks, and advocacy skills to advance Novartis’ priorities.
This role is reporting directly into the Head of Value & Access and External Affairs.
About the Role
Major Accountabilities
1. Healthcare Policy Advocacy
- Develop and execute strategies to influence healthcare policy at federal and cantonal levels, ensuring alignment with Novartis’ business objectives.
- Monitor legislative/regulatory trends, assess risks/opportunities, and craft evidence-based policy positions (e.g., pricing, reimbursement, digital health).
- Define KPIs for policy wins (e.g., legislative amendments adopted, reimbursement pathways accelerated).
- Lead scenario planning for high-impact regulatory shifts (e.g., cost containment measures, EU parallel trade risks).
2. Stakeholder Engagement
- Maintain and expand a high-impact network with political decision-makers (e.g., parliamentarians, party secretariats), government agencies, and industry associations.
- Represent Novartis in key trade bodies (e.g., Interpharma) to shape collective industry positions.
3. Political Strategy & Coalition Building
- Design advocacy campaigns to address barriers to healthcare innovation, collaborating with patient groups, think tanks, and academic partners.
- Proactively engage in pre-legislative processes to shape policy agendas.
4. Team Leadership
- Mentor and manage two Public Affairs Managers, ensuring alignment with national and global priorities.
- Oversee policy analysis, stakeholder mapping, and message development.
5. Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Market Access, Medical, and Commercial teams to integrate policy insights into business strategies and Swiss Public Affairs Team in Basel Headquarters.
- Support crisis communications and reputation management related to policy issues.
What you’ll bring to the role:
Essential requirements:
- University degree, ideally in Political Science, Law, or Public Administration
- Full professional proficiency in German, French and English; strong public speaking abilities
- 7+ years in political roles (e.g., government, party leadership, public affairs consultancy), with proven track record in Swiss political processes
- Established connections with federal/cantonal policymakers (e.g., former party secretary-general, parliamentary or governmental advisor)
- Skills: Strategic policy analysis and legislative drafting, Coalition-building and negotiation in multiparty systems
Desirable requirements:
- Background in association leadership or multi-stakeholder initiatives
- Federal lobbying registrations/leadership in parliamentary consultation processes
Why Novartis?
Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that
change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture
Disclaimer*: Some restrictions on flexible working options may apply and will be discussed during interview if applicable
Benefits and Rewards:
Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion / EEO:
Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.
Accessibility and accommodation:
Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to diversity.inclusion_ch@novartis.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.
Join our Novartis Network:
If this role is not suitable to your experience or career goals but you wish to stay connected to hear more about Novartis and our career opportunities, join the Novartis Network here: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network
Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture
Join our Novartis Network: Not the right Novartis role for you? Sign up to our talent community to stay connected and learn about suitable career opportunities as soon as they come up: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network
Benefits and Rewards: Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards
Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams' representative of the patients and communities we serve.
