External Affairs Lead

HEAD OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS

A privately-owned pharmaceutical company that specializes in women's and men's healthcare products is currently seeking a senior leader to drive its external affairs and communications strategy.

The company is dedicated to advancing its expertise in hormone regulation to improve patient health and wellbeing through appropriate medical intervention. Its core values of Entrepreneurial Spirit, Collaboration, and Dynamism fuel its success both internally and externally. Personal development is encouraged among employees, who are considered fundamental to the company's mission.

The role also involves spearheading media relations and social media channels to establish the company as a thought leader.

Key responsibilities:

• Leading and developing our external affairs work to enhance our reputation and influence among external stakeholders, including healthcare institutions, professional bodies, and patient organizations.
• Creating and executing our media strategy, ensuring cohesive external communications to align BHUK's messages, image, and reputation.
• Enhancing the public image of BHUK as part of our strategic outreach to potential patients, healthcare professionals, patient organizations, employees, prospective employees, and other businesses. Establishing and nurturing strategic relationships to gain insight into BHUK's areas of focus.
• Acting as the company's external representative, monitoring emerging issues and trends, prioritizing them for the company, and informing senior management of potential opportunities and threats. Developing the External Affairs function to uphold our culture and reinforce our commitment to patients.
• Identifying opportunities to enhance the external impact of our activities whenever necessary. Continuously evaluating the effectiveness of our communications against core objectives and identifying areas for improvement.
• Ensuring BHUK is positioned to attract and retain top talent.
• Providing guidance on effective internal communications and stakeholder management, including fostering positive relationships and ongoing dialogue with the Global team.

Competencies:

• Relationship building: Skilled in building and engaging teams and networks across different geographies and functions, both internally and externally.
• Diplomatic: Capable of consulting, listening, empathizing, collaborating, and influencing both internally and externally.
• Culturally aware with a deep understanding of organizational dynamics.
• Resilient, adept at managing challenging tasks and conflicts Ability to remain calm and objective in crisis situations.
• Analytical: Provides strategic insight, advice, and clarity based on strong business acumen.
• Adaptable: Flexible and comfortable with change and ambiguity. Inspires trust and confidence:
• Demonstrates credibility, honesty, and transparency to earn the trust of internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with expertise in various communication styles.
• Capable of working and problem-solving with diverse individuals. Ability to influence and drive change.
• Creates and maintains a positive work environment with a sense of shared accountability.

Person Specification:

• Holds a degree in marketing, communications, or a related field.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully shaping external affairs and implementing impactful communications.
• Experience in building and managing stakeholder networks across external organizations and the media.
• Proven ability to enhance brand awareness and influence policy outcomes for key audiences Strong copywriting skills, capable of drafting quickly in various styles for diverse audiences.
• Experience in the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry, either through direct employment or collaborations.

By clicking “apply” you will be sending your CV to Georgia Wright at Barrington James. Georgia is a specialist Senior recruiter within Market Access and HEOR. She will discuss the opportunity in detail with you, facilitate your application and will manage the process acting as a link between the company and yourself. Due to the interesting nature of this position, it is likely that recruitment could close prematurely due to a high number of expected applicants. To avoid disappointment, apply as soon as possible.

Please call +44 1293 776644 for more information or reach out to Georgia Wright directly on gwright@barringtonjames.com with the link to the job advert.