Head, Market Access & Government Affairs - BeNeLux and Ireland About Astellas: At Astellas we are a progressive health partner, delivering value and outcomes where needed.
We pursue innovative science, focussing initially on the areas of greatest potential and then developing solutions where patient need is high, often in rare or under-served disease areas and in life-threatening or life-limiting diseases and conditions.
We work directly with patients, doctors and health care professionals on the front line to ensure patient and clinical needs are guiding our development activities at every stage.
Our global vision for Patient Centricity is to support the development of innovative health solutions through a deep understanding of the patient experience. At Astellas, Patient Centricity isn't a buzzword - it's a guiding principle for action. We believe all staff have a role to play in creating a patient-centric culture and integrating an awareness of the patient into our everyday working practices, regardless of our role, team or division.
We work closely with regulatory authorities and payers to find new ways to ensure access to new therapies. We deliver the latest insights and real-world evidence to inform the best decisions for patients and their care-givers, to ensure the medicines we develop continue to provide meaningful outcomes.
Beyond medicines, we support our stakeholder communities to drive initiatives that improve awareness, education, access and ultimately standards of care.
The Opportunity: As the Head of Market Access & Government Affairs, Benelux and Ireland, you will lead all Market Access, Pricing, Government and Corporate Affairs, and sales channel selection activities for all current and pipeline medicines and therapeutic areas across the entire Benelux and Ireland affiliate and territory. This includes developing and implementing strategies, driving the co-creation and execution of affiliate Market Access and Government Affairs Plans, preparing price and reimbursement dossiers, and ensuring optimal management and decision-making in trade channels.
You will also be expected to embody a leadership role that exemplifies our 5 principles of success. This entails applying visionary and inspiring leadership, fostering a strong sense of impact, trust, and collaboration across the organization, and guiding the affiliate to successfully navigate the transitions required to achieve the objectives and purpose of the company and beyond.
Hybrid Working: At Astellas we recognize the importance of balancing your work and home life, so we offer a hybrid working solution allowing time to connect with colleagues in person at the office alongside the flexibility to work from home; optimizing the most productive work environment for you to succeed and deliver.
Key Activities for this role: Deliver effective, fit-for-purpose Market Access strategies for current and new products, ensuring alignment with the Area, Medical Affairs/HEOR, Affiliate Business Units/Brand Team, and the Global Market Access strategy while integrating with the Affiliate GA Strategy Plan.
Drive the co-creation and execution of BeNeLux and Ireland Affiliate Market Access and Government Affairs (GA) Plans, including pricing & reimbursement dossiers, value propositions, and medium-term pipeline preparation for product launches.
Develop robust negotiation and stakeholder engagement strategies, mapping purchasing processes, and aligning with tendering and contracting policies to optimize access and profitability through trade channels, contracts, and margin management.
Implement best-in-class approaches for brand communications, corporate positioning, patient advocacy, and addressing new disease areas, ensuring Astellas' patient-first focus is embedded in all activities.
Build and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders (Payers, Politicians, Academia, KEEs, patient advocacy groups) while ensuring cross-functional collaboration with HEOR, Marketing, Medical Affairs, and Communications to embed market access and GA requirements into core plans.
Represent Astellas in trade associations and industry forums, define pricing negotiation strategies, manage the affiliate Market Access/GA budget, and drive a culture of ethics and compliance, ensuring all initiatives align with Astellas' integrity standards and learning governance model.
Essential Knowledge & Experience: Proven track record in leading Market Access strategies within the pharmaceutical sector, including delivering compelling value propositions, price execution, and achieving optimal commercial returns in a global, matrixed environment.
Comprehensive understanding of pricing, reimbursement, funding, and purchasing processes; ability to navigate and shape health policy to create favorable product reimbursement and uptake conditions.
Skilled in developing and delivering tailored access strategies, leveraging evidence to fill gaps, and planning for short- and medium-term delivery across geographic regions.
Demonstrated ability to build credibility with senior stakeholders, both internally and externally, effectively influencing and delivering results through strategic negotiation and collaboration.
Experience managing and developing high-performing teams, fostering a culture of ownership, accountability, and co-creation, while leading virtual teams through change.
Fluent in written and spoken English (additional affiliate languages are a strong advantage) and willing to travel internationally, including overnight stays.
Education/Qualifications: Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
Additional Information: This is a permanent, full-time position.
This position is based in the Netherlands, Belgium or Ireland.
This position follows our hybrid working model. Role requires a blend of home and a minimum of 1 day per week in the Netherlands office. Flexibility may be required in line with business needs. Candidates must be located within a commutable distance of the office.
What We Offer: A challenging and diversified job in an international setting Opportunity and support to continuous development Inspiring work climate We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.