Head Communications & Patient Advocacy KSA

• Align and integrate annual plans across brand communications, corporate communications, internal communications, social media, and patient relations.
• Implement communication strategies successfully through close collaboration with key business partners.
• Identify, anticipate, and manage issues by working with relevant functions and advising management.
• Build and nurture relationships with patient advocacy groups to ensure their perspectives are reflected in strategic planning and communication efforts.
• Drive strong cross-functional collaboration across the Gulf Counties and APMA regions.
• Manage PR agencies and oversee budgets for communications and patient relations.
• Support and facilitate patient organization events, aligning expectations around shared goals to improve patient outcomes through a patient-centric approach.
• Embed the patient voice into franchise and brand strategies, including communications and social media plans.
• Ensure consistency in Novartis’ brand messaging and market positioning through aligned communications and effective control processes.
• Develop and maintain crisis communication plans, ensuring readiness and responsive capabilities.

Minimum Requirements

• Hold a degree in Pharmacy, Business Administration, Marketing, Media, Journalism, Literature, or a closely related field.
• Possess 6–8 years of experience in strategic communications, enriched by agency exposure and a proven ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders, with over 6 years in leadership and managerial roles.
• Demonstrate a solid understanding of communication dynamics within the pharmaceutical industry is highly preferrable, particularly experience with patient advocacy.
• Communicate fluently in both English and Arabic, with excellent verbal and written skills in both languages.