Head of Corporate Affairs Italy

Job Description Summary

Sandoz is a global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines, committed to playing a leading role in driving access to medicines worldwide. Italy has significant footprint in the Sandoz European and global network, being a leading supplier of generic and biosimilar medicines for the Italian society.



The Head of Corporate Affairs is responsible for creating, coordinating and implementing the ‘shaping the external environment’ vision and strategy for Sandoz Italy and in close alignment with Global and Region Europe. A well defined Corporate Affairs plan should support all business activities covering our Italian activities. The plan should incorporate external and internal communication and PGA activities to engage with associates, media and external decision makers and stakeholders such as associations, patient groups and EU / ITA policy makers.

The role integrates a proactive communications plan for external stakeholders relevant to the organization to advocate for the objectives of the company as defined in the above mentioned master plan and in alignment with the broader global Sandoz Communications & Engagement strategy, so as to protect and promote a positive perception and reputation for Sandoz.

The role is also part of the Sandoz Emergency Management (SEM) team to support with managing the reputational aspect of any crisis situation.



Alignment with global communications and Europe Corporate Affairs team is success critical to have an impact in Italy.

The Head of Corporate Affairs Italy reports in line to the Head of Corporate Affairs Region Europe and dotted line to the Country Head of Sandoz Italy.

Job Description

• Focus on supporting the global Sandoz Purpose of pioneering access for patients and to position Sandoz in Italy as the leading generics and biosimilars company in the field. 

Develop, align and evolve a corporate affairs Master Plan for Italy, incorporating all Sandoz businesses and support the business growth. The plan should focus on federal policy makers and build on projects with high public visibility. 

• Shape/influence overall country strategy through public affairs insights and knowledge. Serve on leadership team to architect and lead policy, government affairs & advocacy initiatives to support public affairs and external comms requirements in Italy and from regional/global. 

• Responsible for navigating through unpredictable political and economic environment at different levels of government and other relevant public bodies to educate and influence policy decision makers to impact key issues such as value of generic medicines & access to biosimilar/generic medicines. 

• Act as local counsel for communications and engagement and provide guidance to the Sandoz Italy leadership team 

• Provide local Sandoz corporate brand management, quality control and co-ordination for all local communications  

• Drive the “Sandoz cultural journey” through internal leader and associate engagement strategies for the Sandoz Italy organization, ensuring the highest levels of understanding of company strategy and team engagement.  

• Member of the crisis and issues management team for Sandoz (SEM) in Italy 

• Organize defined and aligned Public Affairs, external media and patient advocacy events. Oversee organizational response to media inquiries and Sandoz announcements (appointments, data releases etc).  

• Developing proactive media strategies to achieve positive media coverage. Develop local media relations and arranging interviews / conferences  

• Serve on the Sandoz Country Leadership Team (CLT) to ensure regular update and full alignment between business strategy, development and sites 

• Identify public policy opportunities (and mitigate risks) that can be leveraged to support Sandoz work and create and implement plans to exploit them. 

• Further enhance leadership position of Sandoz among external stakeholders, engage in boards and working groups of trade associations and with policy makers in close alignment with Country Head 

 

 

Key Performance Indicators 

 

• Strategic fit and alignment of policies and communications on the overall business strategy 

• Influence on associations/country policy agenda in alignment with Sandoz policy and priorities 

• Effective and compliant stakeholder engagement  

• Quality & impact of strategy, policies and standards 

• Acceptance of policies by internal/external customers; recognition of quality  

• Impact of communications strategies on organizational goals; recognition of their quality. 

• Leadership and functional alignment of communications strategies, priorities and objectives across the division globally  

• Feedback from internal and external stakeholders. 

• Evidence of creating and leading teams in line with our culture and values 

• Quality of functional talent and talent development plans  

 

 

Job Dimensions 

 

• The Head of Corporate Affairs Italy manages 2 direct reports  

• The role is responsible for ensuring that approx. 160 Sandoz associates are kept informed on the Corporate and Business strategy of an independent Sandoz. 

 

 

Ideal Background 

 

Education 

• University degree required  

 

Languages 

• Fluency in Italian is a must – preferably mother tongue 

• Fluency in English both verbally and in written is a must 

• Any additional European language is welcome 

 

Experience and Skills 

• 10 years + Policy, advocacy, external communications and engagement experience with an existing network to support the Italian master plan and strategy  

• A track-record of successful policy development and policy influencing  

• Experience in translating Corporate and business needs into policy positions and external Comms plans, negotiations with internal stakeholders in developing these  

• Experience in working collaboratively with other stakeholders to develop common positions and lobby them, e.g. through industry association working groups etc.  

Compensation Structure & Criteria: 

Sandoz compensation is determined by job level, qualifications, niche skills, experience, and location within company salary ranges. Fully proficient and highly effective employees can expect a starting salary around market median, with those new to the level or with less functional depth at the lower end of the range and those with sustained superior or niche skills towards the higher end of the range. Internal equity and external market data inform our range placement. Annual salary reviews consider performance outcomes, market alignment, and business needs. 

• Job location: Milano
• Starting pay range: €90,300.00 - €129,000.00 - €167,700.00 EUR Annual
• Additional benefits include: 25 vacation / bridging days, 10% company contribution to pension/retirement fund, death in service insurance, healthcare for self and family, flex-hybrid working 3 days per week in the office.
• Pay frequency: Monthly
• Expected weekly working hours: 40 hours
• Contract type: full time​

 

Why Sandoz?

Sandoz is the global leader in Biosimilar and Generic medicines, a segment of the healthcare industry that delivers 80% of the world’s medicines at 30% of the cost, touching the lives of more than 1 billion people across 100+ countries! While we are proud of our achievements, we have an ambition to do more so that everyone can achieve the basic human right of good health.

With investments in new development capabilities, production sites, new acquisitions, and partnerships, we have the opportunity to shape the future of Sandoz and help even more people gain access to low-cost, high-quality medicines, sustainably.

Our momentum is powered by an open, collaborative culture driven by our talented and ambitious colleagues, who, in return for applying their skills, experience an agile and collegiate environment with impactful careers, where diversity of thought is welcomed and where personal growth is supported! 

Join us, help us make healthcare fairer and faster.

#Sandoz

Skills Desired

Affiliate Marketing, Communication Medium, Corporate Communication, Creativity, Curiosity, Employee Engagement, Internal Communications (Ic), Interviewing Skills, Marketing, Media Relations, Public Affairs, Social Media, Strategic Communications, W3