Government Affairs Lead

Government Affairs Lead at AZ BeLux

Role Summary

In a fast-changing world marked by evolving healthcare policies, rapid innovation, and rising expectations from patients, regulators, and society, strong and integrated corporate affairs are essential to advancing AstraZeneca’s purpose and business. The Government Affairs Lead for AZ BeLux will drive the development and execution of AstraZeneca’s government affairs strategy, shaping a policy environment that enables patient access, scientific progress, and sustainable healthcare. This role sits within the BeLux Corporate Affairs team, alongside therapeutic area policy, communication, patient advocacy and care transformation, and reports to the Corporate Affairs Director.

The successful candidate will lead priority government affairs initiatives while stewarding AstraZeneca’s external reputation and relationships. This person will represent AstraZeneca in Belgium and Luxembourg with key stakeholders and industry associations, anticipate and influence policy developments, and partner closely across the business to deliver corporate and therapy area priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• External Representation and Stakeholder Engagement: Build and sustain trusted relationships with government officials, cabinets, MPs, payers, regulators, civil society, clinicians, and patient organizations across Belgium and Luxembourg. Develop and deliver a stakeholder engagement plan aligned to business and patient access priorities.
• Policy Intelligence and Analysis: Systematically monitor, assess, and brief on policy, legislative, and regulatory developments impacting AstraZeneca’s portfolio, R&D, manufacturing, market access, and reputation. Translate insights into actionable strategies and positions.
• Strategy Development and Execution: Lead the end-to-end government affairs strategy for BeLux, including issue identification, priority setting, scenario planning, and execution. Shape policy and reimbursement environments to support current portfolio and prepare the landscape for future launches.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Work closely with Market Access, Medical, Commercial, Regulatory, Legal, Compliance, Communications, and Patient Advocacy to ensure aligned positions, integrated plans, and effective execution. Provide clear guidance on policy risks, opportunities, and timelines.
• Position Papers and Advocacy Materials: Develop evidence-based policy positions, briefings, consultation responses, and advocacy materials. Ensure messaging is consistent, compliant, and compelling.
• Disease Policy Shaping: Identify mutual interests with policymakers and health system leaders to advance disease area strategies (e.g., screening, early diagnosis, integrated care etc.) that improve outcomes and system sustainability.
• Industry Association Engagement: Ensure effective representation of AstraZeneca in selected trade associations and forums (e.g., pharma.be, AmCham Belgium, and relevant BeLux bodies), advancing corporate priorities and building coalitions.
• Launch Readiness and Access Enablement: Ideate and deliver policy projects and partnerships that enable timely access and uptake for upcoming launches, including pilots, frameworks, and evidence generation aligned with health system priorities.
• Governance and Compliance: Uphold AZ standards, Code of Conduct, competition law and anti-bribery/anti-corruption policies in all external interactions and advocacy activities.

Leadership and Functional Capabilities

• Proactive, Opportunity-Focused Mindset: Anticipates change, identifies leverage points, and moves swiftly from insight to action.
• Influencing and Relationship Building: Demonstrated ability to engage, negotiate, and build trust with senior stakeholders externally and internally.
• Political Acumen: Keen awareness of institutional processes, coalition dynamics, and the interplay between federal, regional, and community-level decision-making ; adept at timing, coalition-building, and scenario planning to advance policy goals responsibly.
• Policy Acumen: Deep understanding of BeLux political, regulatory, reimbursement, and healthcare delivery landscapes; ability to craft pragmatic, evidence-based solutions.
• Strategic Agility and Execution: Strong strategic thinking with disciplined implementation and follow-through across corporate priorities.
• Communication Excellence: Clear, persuasive written and verbal communication; ability to simplify complex topics and tailor messages to diverse audiences.
• Collaborative Mindset: Effective cross-functional partnership, integrating perspectives from market access, medical, legal, and communications.
• Adaptability: Comfortable navigating ambiguity, complex stakeholder environments, and evolving external contexts.

Education, Qualifications, and Experience

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Public Policy, Law, Health Economics, or a relevant Scientific field.
• Strong understanding of the healthcare environment and reimbursement frameworks in Belgium and Luxembourg.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in the pharmaceutical industry, government, public administration, trade associations, consulting, or politics, with a focus on health policy or market access.
• Proven experience in developing and executing government/public affairs strategies, stakeholder engagement, and policy shaping.
• Languages: fluent Dutch/French and English.

Date Posted

09-feb.-2026

Closing Date

08-mrt.-2026

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.