Vice President, International Relations

We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on - 14 Feb 2026
 

At Medtronic you can begin a life-long career of exploration and innovation, while helping champion healthcare access and equity for all. You’ll lead with purpose, breaking down barriers to innovation in a more connected, compassionate world.

A Day in the Life

Position Overview 

The Vice President (VP), International Relations will serve as a senior member of the company’s global Government Affairs team, reporting to the Vice President & Head, Global Government Affairs. This position will drive strategic external engagement and advocacy on enterprise policy priorities with governments and organizations globally, including around trade policy. The VP, International Relations will also partner with colleagues in key markets – with an emphasis in China and parts of Asia – to develop and drive policy development and related advocacy to assist Medtronic in achieving its strategic objectives. The VP, International Relations will be an exceptional global strategist and play an integral role in helping Medtronic continue to build a best-in-class global government affairs organization. 

Location of Position 

This position is based in Washington, DC and will require up to approximately 25% travel. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead strategic engagement with key government officials and stakeholders across diverse global political and economic systems, including the Washington, D.C.–based diplomatic community and U.S. diplomatic missions outside the United States, to advance the company’s enterprise priorities. 

• Develop and implement engagement and advocacy strategies with the U.S. Congress and U.S. Executive Branch related to key global policy issues – including trade – in collaboration with the U.S. Government Affairs organization.  

• Support engagement and advocacy in priority global markets – including China and parts of Asia, working with colleagues across the businesses, regions, and functions including Legal; Health Economics, Policy and Reimbursement; Regulatory; Trade Operations; Supply Chain; and Communications. 

• Engage and represent the company with trade associations on global policy issues to ensure coordinated, high-impact advocacy that supports business growth and mitigates risk. 

• Represent the company in high-level policy dialogues, bilateral forums, and other global platforms. 

• Anticipate emerging geopolitical, economic, and policy risks and recommend strategies to capitalize on opportunities and mitigate challenges.  

• Leverage global institutions and platforms, including international organizations, multilateral development banks and other organizations, to drive advocacy and engagement strategies.  

• Advise senior executives on global policy and geopolitical developments affecting the company’s global portfolio. Provide insight, guidance, and briefings for senior leadership engagements with government officials globally. 

• Manage a small team of direct reports.   

• Other duties as assigned. 

Must Have: Minimum Qualifications 

• Requires a bachelor’s degree 

• A minimum of 15 years of experience in the public sector, international government affairs, trade policy, diplomacy, or related public policy roles; or a minimum of 13 years of experience in the public sector, international government affairs, trade policy, diplomacy, or related public policy roles and an advanced degree 

• A minimum of 13 years of people, program or project management experience 

Nice to Have 

• Advanced degree strongly preferred 

• Experience working in or with a multinational company and the public sector strongly preferred 

• Experience working on global trade policy, including trade agreements and export controls, strongly preferred   

• Demonstrated ability and proven record of successfully driving high-level advocacy with senior business leaders and global government leaders; experience engaging with governments in China strongly preferred 

• Experience in life sciences, healthcare, technology or other regulated global industries preferred 

• Established network within Washington, D.C., including the U.S. Congress, U.S. Executive Branch agencies, diplomatic missions, and trade associations 

• Deep knowledge of geopolitics, international trade and economic policy, and regulatory issues 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially regarding policy development, analysis, and advocacy; must be able to clearly and succinctly convey complex information to various audiences 

• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive issues and crisis situations, navigate complex political environments, and deliver results in a global matrixed organization 

• Collaborative leader with a proven record of success fostering alignment and driving outcomes across global teams 

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and successfully prioritize competing tasks in a fast-paced environment 

• Impeccable ethics and a high-level of integrity 

About Medtronic 

Together, we can change healthcare worldwide. At Medtronic, we push the limits of what technology, therapies and services can do to help alleviate pain, restore health and extend life.  We challenge ourselves and each other to make tomorrow better than yesterday. It is what makes this an exciting and rewarding place to be.  

We want to accelerate and advance our ability to create meaningful innovations - but we will only succeed with the right people on our team. Let’s work together to address universal healthcare needs and improve patients’ lives. Help us shape the future. 

Physical Job Requirements 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position, but they are not an exhaustive list of all the required responsibilities and skills of this position.  

The physical demands described within the Day in the Life section of this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Physical Job Requirements

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position, but they are not an exhaustive list of all the required responsibilities and skills of this position. 

The physical demands described within the Responsibilities section of this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. For Office Roles: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile. The employee is also required to interact with a computer, and communicate with peers and co-workers. Contact your manager or local HR to understand the Work Conditions and Physical requirements that may be specific to each role.

Benefits & Compensation
 

Medtronic offers a competitive Salary and flexible Benefits Package
A commitment to our employees lives at the core of our values. We recognize their contributions. They share in the success they help to create.  We offer a wide range of benefits, resources, and competitive compensation plans designed to support you at every career and life stage.
 

Salary ranges for U.S (excl. PR) locations (USD):$262,500 - $350,000 - $437,500

This position is eligible for a short-term incentive called the Medtronic Incentive Plan (MIP).

This position is eligible for an annual long-term incentive plan.

The base salary range is applicable across the United States, excluding Puerto Rico. Base pay is based on numerous factors and may vary by job-related knowledge, skills, experience, etc. Compensation and benefits information pertains solely to candidates hired within the United States (local market compensation and benefits will apply for others).

The following benefits and additional compensation are available to those regular employees who work 20+ hours per week: Health, Dental and vision insurance, Health Savings Account, Healthcare Flexible Spending Account, Life insurance, Long-term disability leave, Dependent daycare spending account, Tuition assistance/reimbursement, and Simple Steps (global well-being program).

The following benefits and additional compensation are available to all regular employees: Incentive plans, 401(k) plan plus employer contribution and match, Short-term disability, Paid time off, Paid holidays, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Employee Assistance Program, Non-qualified Retirement Plan Supplement (subject to IRS earning minimums), and Capital Accumulation Plan (available to Vice Presidents and above, or subject to IRS earning minimums).

Regular employees are those who are not temporary, such as interns.  Temporary employees are eligible for paid sick time, as required under applicable state law, and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Please note some of the above benefits may not apply to workers in Puerto Rico.

Further details are available at the link below:

Medtronic benefits and compensation plans

About Medtronic

We lead global healthcare technology and boldly attack the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions.
Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people. 
We are engineers at heart— putting ambitious ideas to work to generate real solutions for real people. From the R&D lab, to the factory floor, to the conference room, every one of us experiments, creates, builds, improves and solves. We have the talent, diverse perspectives, and guts to engineer the extraordinary.

Learn more about our business, mission, and our commitment to diversity here.

It is the policy of Medtronic to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Medtronic will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

If you are applying to perform work for Medtronic, Inc. (“Medtronic”) in any position which will involve performing at least two (2) hours of work on average each week within the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, you can find here a list of all material job duties of the specific job position which Medtronic reasonably believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. Medtronic will consider for employment qualified job applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.