Director, External Affairs, Intercontinental - Asia

AbbVie•North Chicago, IL

About The Position

The External Affairs Director, Intercontinental - Asia is a strategic partner to the Commercial and functional leadership, and provides critical strategic guidance and support to the priority affiliates in China, Japan and the broader Asia region. The External Affairs Director ensures the development of critical policy, advocacy and communication capabilities and the execution of high impact environment shaping strategies supporting AbbVie’s International Growth Strategy to accelerate access, contribute to business goals, and protect our company’s reputation. Together with the affiliate leadership and the International organization, the role is responsible for co-creating and supporting the execution of comprehensive advocacy and communication strategies for corporate and therapeutic area priorities, including direct engagements with key external stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor or Master’s Degree in Public Relations, Political Science, International Relations, Integrated Marketing, Communications, Journalism or equivalent.
10+ years of relevant experience and proven track record of success in managing government or public affairs, corporate reputations, citizenship, crisis planning and company values.
Multi-year experience in working in Asia or with Asian stakeholders/customers
Must have a valid passport to travel internationally
Experience in the healthcare/bio-pharma industry.
Excellent written and verbale communication skills along with knowledge of emerging communications trends and technologies.

Responsibilities

Ensures affiliates in Asia are fully equipped with global resources, policy positions, narratives/messaging, research, evidence, and communication tools to support their engagement.
Supports local implementation of integrated therapeutic area advocacy strategies, identifies international advocacy opportunities, including with the US government, trade associations, global patient organizations, multilaterals and other international and regional bodies to advance affiliate priorities, and proactively drives AbbVie’s agenda through her/his own external engagements where appropriate.
Builds capabilities of affiliates to effectively develop and execute policy, advocacy, media and multi-stakeholder strategies to address key access priorities and challenges and reputational issues; sharing best practices and learnings across markets to inspire innovative solutions; and encourages effective ways of working to ensure integrated, high-impact strategies.
Identifies environmental, legislative and regulatory opportunities, and threats to AbbVie in existing and new markets. Analyzes their impact, and develops and leads strategies to advocate for desired results.