Head of Communication and Government Affairs

We are looking for a Head of Communication and Government Affairs to join our team. As the successful candidate you will lead Communications and Government Affairs for GSK in Ireland. You will shape how we engage with government, media, industry partners and communities. You will protect and build our reputation and influence health policy that supports better patient outcomes. We value clear communicators who work across functions, act with integrity and deliver measurable results. This role offers visible impact, career growth, and the chance to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We create a place where people can grow, be their best, be safe, and feel welcome, valued and included.

We offer a competitive salary, an annual bonus based on company performance, healthcare and wellbeing programmes, pension plan membership, and shares and savings programme.

Our Performance with Choice programme offers a hybrid working model, empowering you to find the optimal balance between remote and in-office work.

In this role you will

• Develop and deliver integrated communications and government affairs plans that support business goals and public health outcomes.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with government, health agencies, media, industry groups and community partners.
• Translate policy and stakeholder insight into clear recommendations for commercial, medical and leadership teams.
• Lead proactive reputation building and prepare for issues and crisis communications with calm, accurate public messaging.
• Design and run evidence based advocacy, public private partnerships and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
• Coach leaders and spokespeople to communicate with confidence and ensure consistent internal and external messaging.

Why you? Basic Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public policy, public health, law, political science or a related field.
• Extensive experience in communications, government affairs, public affairs or external affairs.
• Proven experience engaging with government agencies, policymakers or health system stakeholders in Ireland.
• Strong media relations experience and experience managing reputation or crisis communications.
• Track record working cross functionally with commercial, medical, regulatory, legal or market access teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• Advanced degree in communications, public policy, public health, law or business administration.
• Experience in the pharmaceutical, healthcare or life sciences sector.
• Experience developing public private partnerships or coalition advocacy campaigns.
• Track record of shaping national policy or access decisions.
• Experience leading or developing small teams and building capability across a matrix.
• Familiarity with Irish and EU policy, regulatory and political environments.

What we value

• You communicate clearly and directly.
• You act with integrity and build trust through follow through.
• You are pragmatic, delivery focused and patient centred.
• You welcome different perspectives and help create an inclusive workplace where colleagues can do their best work.
• You are curious, resilient and willing to learn.

Working pattern

This role is based in Dublin, Ireland. The position is hybrid, with regular on site office presence required (2 3 days/week) to work with colleagues and stakeholders. Some travel within Ireland and occasional international travel may be needed.

Salary and benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Annual bonus based on company performance.
• Healthcare and wellbeing programmes.
• Pension plan membership.
• Shares and savings programme.

Irish Salary Range: EUR 75,000 to EUR 125,000. The annual gross base salary range for new hires in this position is listed above for each applicable location. These ranges take into account a number of factors including the candidate's skills, experience, education level and the market rate for the role. In addition, this position may offer an annual bonus and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program which is dependent on the level of the role. More detailed information on the total benefits package will be supplied during the recruitment process. This role is available for applicants from multiple locations, and therefore salary ranges for certain locations are also shown. Salary ranges for other locations are shown because some markets have pay transparency laws that require salary information on job postings, and those locations are potential job sites for this role. If salary ranges are not displayed in the job posting for a specific location or country, the relevant compensation will be discussed during the recruitment process. Please note salaries vary by country based on the candidate's skills, experience, education level and the market rate for the role. Offers are typically made within the advertised range based on the candidate's skills, experience and qualifications, with the upper end generally reserved for highly experienced candidates or other exceptional circumstances aligned with these criteria.

Why GSK?

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade, as a successful, growing company where people can thrive. We get ahead of disease by preventing and treating it with innovation in specialty medicines and vaccines. We focus on four therapeutic areas: respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HIV; and infectious diseases - to impact health at scale. People and patients around the world count on the medicines and vaccines we make, so we're committed to creating an environment where our people can thrive and focus on what matters most. Our culture of being ambitious for patients, accountable for impact and doing the right thing is the foundation for how, together, we deliver for patients, shareholders and our people.

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law. We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.

Adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities: contact us at where you can also request a call. Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments, we will not be able to support you through these channels. However, we have created a Recruitment FAQ guide. Click the Link where you will find answers to multiple questions we receive.

Important notice to Employment businesses/ Agencies: GSK does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. All employment businesses/agencies are required to contact GSK's commercial and general procurement/human resources department to obtain prior written authorization before referring any candidates to GSK. The obtaining of prior written authorization is a condition precedent to any agreement (verbal or written) between the employment business/ agency and GSK. In the absence of such written authorization being obtained any actions undertaken by the employment business/agency shall be deemed to have been performed without the consent or contractual agreement of GSK. GSK shall therefore not be liable for any fees arising from such actions or any fees arising from any referrals by employment businesses/agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site.

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Our success absolutely depends on our people. While getting ahead of disease together is about our ambition for patients and shareholders, it's also about making GSK a place where people can thrive. We want GSK to be a place where people feel inspired, encouraged and challenged to be the best they can be. A place where they can be themselves - feeling welcome, valued and included. Where they can keep growing and look after their wellbeing. So if you share our ambition, join us at this exciting moment in our journey to get Ahead Together. Find out more on our career site.

Closing Date for Applications - Thursday 20th August 2026