Change people’s lives and love what you do! Cochlear develops world-leading medical devices that help people hear. As a top 100 medical device company and market-leader in implantable hearing devices, more people choose a Cochlear-branded cochlear implant system than any other. Our employees tell us that the number one reason they enjoy working for Cochlear is the opportunity to make a difference to people’s lives.
About the Role
Are you a strategic leader passionate about driving healthcare accessibility and influencing policy? Cochlear is seeking an experienced Director, Government Affairs & Market Access (GAMA), EMEA to shape the future of implantable hearing solutions, strengthening advocacy efforts, reimbursement strategies, and government affairs across the region.
As Director, GAMA EMEA, you will play a pivotal role in defining, orchestrating, and implementing market access strategies to enhance patient accessibility, policy influence, and reimbursement pathways. This role requires a visionary leader capable of building external partnerships, anticipating legislative shifts, and working collaboratively with internal teams and policymakers.
Key Responsibilities
Government Affairs Strategy – Anticipate regulatory and policy changes to define Cochlear’s mid- and long-term public policy, reimbursement, and pricing strategy across EMEA focus markets.
Stakeholder Engagement – Build relationships with government officials, HTA bodies, key opinion leaders (KOLs), societies, and advocacy groups to drive positive policy change.
Market Access & Reimbursement Optimization – Influence payer decision-making, strengthen Cochlear’s value propositions, and maximize reimbursement coverage.
Healthcare Policy Advocacy – Shape industry forums and policy debates by engaging with relevant EMEA Associations, Task Forces, and regulatory bodies.
Strategic Initiatives – Drive educational programs and hearing health awareness campaigns across EMEA.
Cross-Functional Leadership – Partner with Marketing, Sales, and Global Government Affairs teams to ensure strategic alignment and local execution.
Health Economics & Outcome Research (HEOR) – Lead evidence-based studies to reinforce Cochlear’s product value and support healthcare funding decisions.
Executive Collaboration – Act as a strategic advisor to EMEA leadership, facilitating high-level meetings with senior policymakers.
People Leadership – Recruit, develop, and mentor a high-performing GAMA team, fostering cross-functional collaboration and talent growth.
About You. As we grow our operations, we are looking for people who share our passion for delivering quality hearing solutions to our customers. To add value to Cochlear in this role, you'll be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience:
Essential
An undergraduate degree in Science, Marketing, or Business Administration.
Over 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical, biotech, device industry, consultancy, or government, with at least 5 years in a Government Affairs and/or Market Access role. Preferably, this experience should include multi-country exposure across EMEA.
Proven experience in introducing products to market(s) within a hospital or clinical environment.
A strong understanding of access policy, pricing, health economics, outcomes research, and related disciplines.
In-depth knowledge of the Government Affairs / Market Access landscape for Medical Technology.
Well-developed analytical and strategic skills, coupled with entrepreneurial insight and a pragmatic approach.
Experience and understanding of various Health Technology Assessment authorities.
Familiarity with EMEA national reimbursement systems.
Fluency in written and spoken English.
Ideal:
Experience working with politicians and/or policy makers at the coal face
Master’s degree in medical science, public health, or public policy.
Other European languages such as German or French
Development Value of this Role:
Engage in the delivery of life-changing technology that is currently underpenetrated.
Opportunity to work in a company that constantly offers new technology and solutions.
High level of job satisfaction from contributing to the introduction of new hearing technology to people in EMEA.
Grow alongside the company's growth and advance your career.
Opportunity to work in a global company based in Western Europe (preferably Mechelen).
What we offer
An attractive remuneration package and flexible extra-legal benefits
An extensive onboarding and training program
An enjoyable work environment with attention to life-work balance and homeworking
A stimulating environment with growth opportunities and opportunity to meet multi-disciplinary colleagues across the globe
This is your chance to be part of a premier organization with a great culture, working in a dynamic, growing and rapidly evolving environment to deliver outstanding results that benefit our customers every day. Be part of something purposeful and APPLY now by clicking on the link below and see your career grow!
Cochlear Summary
Cochlear’s mission is to help people hear and be heard. Around the world, more people chose a Cochlear-branded hearing implant system than any other. Our employees tell us that the number one reason they enjoy working for Cochlear is the opportunity to make a difference to people’s lives. Learn and grow with us as we tackle the most complex challenges in helping people to Hear Now. And Always. Cochlear is the global market leader in implantable hearing solutions including cochlear implant systems (CI) and bone anchored hearing aids (Baha™).
Equal opportunities
Cochlear is committed to providing equal opportunities to avoid unlawful discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, religion/belief or age. In line with our corporate ethics and statutory obligations we strive to ensure that the work environment is free of harassment and bullying and that everyone is treated with dignity and respect - this is an important aspect of ensuring equal opportunities in employment.
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What We Do
Hear now. And always As the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, at Cochlear (ASX: COH) we are committed to our mission to help people hear and be heard. Our story started more than four decades ago when Professor Graeme Clark pioneered the world's first multi-channel cochlear implant and created an entirely new treatment for hearing loss. Since our formation in 1981, we continue Professor Clark’s work to help people with moderate to profound hearing loss experience a life full of hearing. We have provided more than 650,000 implantable devices. Each recipient helps form a global community of millions, through families, friends, colleagues, teachers and more. And they’re not just connected to their own community — each shares a link with each other and to Professor Clark’s childhood desire to help people hear. We aim to give people the best lifelong hearing experience and access to innovative future technologies. We understand the privilege of connecting people to a life lived with hearing. And we listen, respond and move with the times – to continue to bring hearing within reach of all those who need it. That's how we live our mission every day. Our global workforce of more than 4,000 people shares a collective determination to give more people the opportunity to enjoy a life of hearing. Cochlear’s global headquarters are on the campus of Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia with regional headquarters in Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas. Through our offices in over 180 countries we help people of all ages to hear. Social Media Terms of Use http://bit.ly/2qRMEvY
