Careers
Director, Issue Advocacy & Portfolio Strategy
East Hanover, NJ, USA · Washington, DC, USA
USD 176,400-327,600 / year + Equity
Posted on Jul 16, 2026
Band
Level 6
Job Description Summary
Our Director, Issue Advocacy & Portfolio Strategy will lead and execute integrated public affairs advocacy campaigns that advance key US business priorities. This person will partner closely with the Head of Issue Advocacy to serve as the primary public affairs liaison to the US business, driving strategy and execution for priority in-line brands and product launches. In addition, they will identify opportunities to advance portfolio objectives through impactful public affairs initiatives and collaborate across US PA functions to deliver coordinated tactical plans. Finally, the Director will provide ongoing insights, strategic counsel, and updates to ensure alignment between public affairs activities and business priorities.Novartis will not sponsor visas for this position.
Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you.
This role is required to be in our Washington D.C. or East Hanover, NJ office 3x/week.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities:
- In alignment with Head of Issue Advocacy, contribute to the development and execution of US Public Affairs campaigns that advance the goals of the US business and product portfolio.
- Serve as US PA’s designated partner to therapeutic area leadership and product general managers. Responsible for proactively anticipating potential policy/political issues that relate to near-launch and in-market products and translating US PA issues for portfolio teams.
- Support and align with product teams for product planning, strategy development and capacity building across a product’s life cycle. In alignment with Head of Issue Advocacy, responsible for driving product-specific initiatives to completion, including ownership of budget submissions and collaboration between internal partners and external vendors to establish operating frameworks and metrics.
- Responsible for mobilization of appropriate US Government Affairs, Issue Advocacy, and Public Policy resources to ensure implementation of comprehensive public affairs strategies. Drive the execution of US PA strategies aligned with specific product and cross-portfolio business objectives that shape a favorable operating environment and advance patient access.
- Leverage data, research, and other real-time insights to create strategies that shape the long-term healthcare policy environment to drive future focused efforts related to launch readiness and priority US product launches.
- Educate the US PA organization about primary business drivers and challenges, provide strategic insights on business developments to inform US PA priorities, and collaborate with key teams within International Public Affairs to share US approach and best practices and inform international strategy development, as appropriate.
Desirable Requirements:
- Operate as a trusted advisor to key Novartis IPST leaders while becoming fully integrated into the US business.
- Identify, inform, and contribute to predictive Public Affairs strategies with long-term objectives in mind for key US therapeutic areas and brands that drive business objectives with demonstrated results.
- Cultivate a well-developed network that provides access to key stakeholders, critical intelligence, and ability to anticipate the future policy landscape.
- Effective communications that provide colleagues with pertinent information on how the US political and policy environment impacts the US commercial function and efforts related to Public Affairs’ capabilities, priorities, and proactive approach to shape the environment.
- Ability to navigate high-impact, high-risk and complex situations.
Essential Requirements:
- Undergraduate degree required. A masters level degree or equivalent in law, public policy or health administration is preferred.
8+ years of professional experience preferably in pharmaceutical or health care industry, including with product and/or brand teams; experience in Public Affairs, specifically working with elected officials, executive level management, patient groups, advocacy community, and industry associations; and successfully working within a corporate structure.
- Deep knowledge of US political and policy landscape; key government health programs (e.g. Medicare, Medicaid); patient advocacy community; and the interplay of the above.
- Strong understanding of pharmaceutical industry business model, the intersection of business and public policy and macro healthcare trends.
- Experience working in and across communications, advocacy, and policy functions and developing strategies that bring all functions together for a successful result.
- Experience developing and executing issue campaigns around health policy topics.
- Proven ability to communicate business critical information at senior levels and to reconcile multiple stakeholder perspectives. Experience working with senior level and/or c-suite executives.
- Excellent project management capabilities.
Benefits & Rewards
The salary for this position is expected to range between $176,400 and $327,600 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards. US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.
Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture
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Benefits and Rewards: Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards
EEO Statement:
The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We strive to create an inclusive workplace that cultivates bold innovation through collaboration and empowers our people to unleash their full potential.
Accessibility and reasonable accommodations
The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to tas.nacomms@novartis.com call +1 (877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.
https://www.novartis.com/careers/careers-research/notice-all-applicants-us-job-openings
Salary Range
$176,400.00 - $327,600.00
Skills Desired
Affiliate Marketing, Influencing Skills, Leadership, Marketing, Microsoft Access, Photography, Policy Development, Political Analysis, Press Releases, Prioritization, Public Affairs, Social Media