Director, Science and Regulatory Policy Europe

Director, Science and Regulatory Policy Europe

Location: Moorgate, London (primary). Other European locations such as Spain and Portugal may also be considered. The successful candidate will perform the role from their respective country. Travel is approximately 30% of the time. Hybrid working is in place across company locations.

The Science and Regulatory Policy team advocates for policy priorities that support the pipeline and portfolio for Research & Development and the company's business goals. They partner with all R&D divisions to define and implement a prioritised policy and advocacy plan that advances business goals.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver strategic leadership for policy priorities to support our pipeline and portfolio.
• Advocate for and anticipate policy change that affects research and development activities worldwide and the innovation environment.
• Advise and provide insights for senior R&D leadership on critical developments in the global policy environment that impact the pipeline and portfolio.
• Take leadership for coordinating and aligning policy development and activity across R&D, focusing on the Development and Regulatory organisations.
• Lead strategy and coordination of R&D external policy relationships to meet priorities.
• Build the company's share of voice and influence extramurally to support the enterprise policy agenda.
• Shape and influence European science, evidence, and data/digital policy agendas to proactively enable R&D productivity, scientific leadership, and competitive pipeline advancement.
• Drive early translation of emerging policy, legislative, and regulatory developments into decision ready insights, risks, and strategic options for pipeline, portfolio, evidence generation, and access.
• Set and advance company policy priorities on European science, evidence, data governance, and advanced digital technologies, ensuring alignment with R&D scientific strategy and innovation objectives.
• Lead the development and execution of coordinated company policy positions and advocacy strategies on European legislative and regulatory initiatives, mobilising cross functional alignment to shape outcomes.
• Provide strategic leadership on European data and advanced digital technology policy, including data integrity, privacy, security, AI/ML, digital health, and cloud enabled collaboration, to accelerate science and scale innovation.
• Build and leverage strategic relationships with European and globally influential policymakers, regulators, research institutions, and multilateral organizations to anticipate inflection points and influence policy direction.
• Position the company as a science led industry leader by representing the company in external policy forums, industry associations, and professional settings.
• Deliver forward looking policy analyses and executive briefings that inform senior R&D and company leadership on strategic choices, trade offs, and actions.

Qualifications

• Required qualifications, experience and skills:
• University degree in science, health care, public health, or health policy; may be accompanied by a master's degree in these fields or in law.
• Substantial experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, regulatory, or science policy environments.
• Proven experience in developing and articulating science based policy positions, white papers, comment letters, and briefing materials for senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Experience engaging in global science policy environments, including U.S. and European legislative, regulatory, and policy frameworks.
• Experience advising senior leaders on science policy implications, risk, and strategic positioning.
• Preferred qualifications:
• Postgraduate degree in science policy, health policy, or law.
• Skill with AI, data, and real world evidence.
• Broad understanding of pharmaceutical R&D, including clinical development, evidence generation, or innovative development approaches.
• Demonstrated leadership or active participation in industry trade associations, scientific societies, or multi stakeholder policy initiatives.
• Experience in the field of pharmaceutical/biotechnology development.
• Competencies and skills:
• Strong relationship management and interpersonal skills with superb written and oral communication abilities.
• Analytic thinking, excellent presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to thrive in a cross functional team environment with a global mindset.
• Excellent command of English (written and spoken).
• Data savvy with an eye for detail.