The Head of International Policy & Communications (IPC), China, reports to the Senior Vice President for International Policy & Communications in New York City and serves on the Leadership Team for the President of Pfizer China. This role is responsible for leading a team to advance an integrated policy, public affairs, communications and patient advocacy strategy for Pfizer in China.
Responsibilities
Policy and Public Affairs
- Enhance visibility and give Pfizer a prominent voice with policymakers in China. Develop and maintain strong relationships with key China policy stakeholders to advance business goals and further develop Pfizer's reputation as a credible and respected voice in the life science sector and on the impact of the China's health environment on society and the economy.
- Lead a best-in-class Policy and Public Affairs team, with respect to performance, behaviours, skills, and talent management, preparing Pfizer for the future world and leading with our values.
- Maintain strict compliance with all applicable policies and laws, especially those related to interactions with government official.
- Advocacy and coalition building with industry associations and other stakeholders to support pro-innovation and patient-centric policies, including AmCham China, RDAC, PhRMA, USCBC China Office.
- Assess the impact of the dynamic policy environment on Pfizer's business strategy and provide counsel in key business planning decisions such as the operating plan, business reviews, and business development work.
- Identify emerging policy and legislative trends relevant to healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry. Analyze the implications of these trends and provide recommendations to relevant Pfizer China and Global leaders.
- Build and maintain strong cross-functional relationships, including with global/regional policy teams (Market Access, Regulatory, etc.) to coordinate seamless, unified Pfizer representation to Chinese Government and ensure aligned Pfizer policy positions and strategy for engagement with Chinese authorities.
Communications (Internal/External)
- Proactively and reactively engage with media to build trust and reputation, positioning Pfizer as a leader in vaccines and oncology.
- Lead milestone communications (regulatory, data, clinical) for prioritized brands.
- Develop and execute public-facing disease awareness campaigns for prioritized disease areas and product categories.
- Manage external agencies for PR execution.
- Oversee social/digital communication platform management.
- Provide internal communications counsel for country leadership and develop narratives and materials to support colleague engagement initiatives.
Patient Advocacy
- Enhance the impact and quality of engagements with select patient advocacy groups.
- Capture and incorporate patient insights into Pfizer's decision-making processes.
Team Leadership
- Provide direct reports with clear and transparent roles and responsibilities.
- Create and maintain a team culture of integrity and compliance that values and drives high performance, supports innovation, and challenges the status quo.
- Encourage sharing of information and experiences to enhance productivity.
- Actively support development of direct reports and key talent by providing insights, direction, and opportunities.
- Win the right way by ensuring full compliance with local laws and regulations, as well as internal policies.
Qualifications
Professional Experience: 20+ years in the biopharmaceutical industry with experience in the fields of policy, government affairs, communications, and/or patient advocacy. BS/BA required, advanced degree preferred (MBA, MPH, JD).
Relationship Building: Proven track record of strong interpersonal abilities to cultivate and maintain relevant networks across government, key opinion leaders, media, industry, and the broader internal and external communities. Can successfully leverage these connections and network insights to positively amplify the company's policy goals, advance its commercial interests, and strengthen Pfizer's reputation.
Issue Management: Adept at anticipating and mitigating policy and political environmental risks. Can quickly identify emerging challenges and implement proactive strategies to navigate crises and turn them into opportunities. Agility and composure under pressure are hallmarks of success.
Strategic Thinking and Planning: Keen understanding of Pfizer's broader objectives and the competitive landscape in China. Can align communications and policy engagement efforts across stakeholder groups to support the China commercial strategy, driving long-term value creation for the company.
Matrix Maturity: Dexterity to work between/across organizations and confidence to operate in a dotted and direct line matrix. Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong adherence to compliance and reputation management.
Pfizer is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable equal employment opportunity legislation in each jurisdiction in which it operates.
To learn more about acceptable and prohibited uses of AI during the recruitment process, please review our candidate AI-use guidelines available on Pfizer Careers .
Public Affairs & Communication
Skills Required
- 20+ years in the biopharmaceutical industry with experience in policy, government affairs, communications, and/or patient advocacy
- BS/BA degree
- Advanced degree (MBA, MPH, JD)
- Proven track record of relationship building with government, KOLs, media, industry associations, and patient groups
- Experience in issue management, risk mitigation, and crisis communications
- Strategic thinking and ability to align policy and communications with commercial strategy
- Experience leading and developing high-performing teams and talent management
- Strong compliance orientation with knowledge of laws governing interactions with government officials
- Matrix working experience across global/regional teams and cross-functional stakeholders
Pfizer Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Official materials describe comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and mental-health support, plus fertility/family‑building and transgender‑inclusive coverage; eligible Pfizer medications are noted as available at no cost in U.S. plans. Wellness resources such as telehealth and preventative programs are also emphasized.
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Retirement Support — Company documents highlight a 401(k) with matching contributions plus an additional Retirement Savings Contribution beyond the match. Financial planning support and company‑paid life and disability insurance further bolster long‑term security.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Corporate pages and job postings describe paid vacation and holidays, caregiver leave, and paid parental leave for both parents. Materials also note that details can vary by role and location.
Pfizer Insights
What We Do
Our purpose ensures that patients remain at the center of all we do. We live our purpose by sourcing the best science in the world; partnering with others in the healthcare system to improve access to our medicines; using digital technologies to enhance our drug discovery and development, as well as patient outcomes; and leading the conversation to advocate for pro-innovation/pro-patient policies.
Why Work With Us
We are the inventors, the problem solvers, the big thinkers — those who surmount any hurdle to deliver breakthrough medicines to the people who are counting on them the most.
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