Director, European Government Affairs

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The Role’s Mission

The Director, European Government Affairs will work with the company’s government affairs function and key partners in the businesses and European markets to expand Stryker’s Government Affairs function into the region.

This role will be tasked with building and maintaining the advocacy component of a well-integrated GA function within a newly European Centre of Excellence (Government Affairs, Enterprise Accounts, Market Access). The function works directly with the businesses and country teams to build organizational capability and integrate government affairs into the businesses, in targeted ways, to support our growth.

The primary focus of this role will be on advancing advocacy and policy strategies that make healthcare better in the European Union and key markets. These strategies will be aligned with the company strategy and global government affairs. The Director will contribute to this coordinated global government affairs function in accordance with close collaboration with and direction from the President of EEMEA, Canada, and LATAM and the European Leadership Team. The Director will be a key member of the COE GEM Leadership Team and will drive company level and product level priorities with the aim to both protect and increase Stryker’s profitability and reputation.

A successful candidate will have served previously in a company’s government affairs function or within a similar role in an industry association, or comparable role elsewhere; and, have an established track record of delivering GA results and building GA organizational capabilities. The ideal candidate will possess relationships and direct experience related to the policymaking process in Brussels.

Key Deliverables

Serve as the switchboard of GA operations and strategy within Europe ensuring alignment, communication, and collaboration. 

Build Stryker’s political network in Brussels and in key markets, through collaboration with Country Managers and their teams, by telling our story, building relationships, and identifying opportunities for collaboration and consensus in order to position Stryker as a resource and thought leader with key government policymakers and other policy stakeholders. 

Using political acumen and strategy, represent the company to senior policymakers and their staff members, industry association working groups, and other organizations involved in health policy.

Assess policy proposals for risks and opportunities, in collaboration with internal subject matter experts, and develop a strategy for response, in coalition with trade association and other external partners where appropriate

Liaison with Regulatory, Reimbursement/Market Access, and Corporate Sustainability colleagues to determine opportunities, potential impact of new policies and develop complementary advocacy strategies as appropriate.

Develop, advocate and advance policy strategies that support our mission of working with our customers to make healthcare better, support business growth, and position the company as a thought leader. 

Lead trade association engagement: Identify priority gap areas in our participation and work with internal subject matter experts to cover gaps on an ongoing basis; coordinate and prepare executives for association board meetings; and, collaborate with industry and association colleagues to advance key initiatives. 

Establish and foster relationships with and engage stakeholders to create a network of external influencers for Stryker to partner with on key objectives

Ensure alignment of GA strategy with business strategy and facilitate the identification and coverage of gaps, through close collaboration with the ELT, corporate government affairs, and other functions.

Support several Stryker country managers and their teams in developing and advancing advocacy and policy strategies specific to their markets.

Prepare and align messaging on key multi-market policy areas and prepare executives for participation in industry association boards in partnership with relevant internal colleagues and local GA leads

Coordinate and implement Divisional government affairs strategies, in partnership with key divisional colleagues.

Present GA content internally at business reviews, meetings, and other internal fora to collaborate and receive guidance/feedback from senior division leadership.

Active contributor to routine internal government affairs updates to colleagues, leadership, and other internal audiences.

Work closely with Company’s communications teams to develop and refine internal and external messaging related to government affairs subjects in the region. 

Work with Stryker global colleagues, as appropriate, to ensure coordination and consistency in advocacy messages. 

Travel, primarily in Europe, but at times overseas, to Stryker facilities, conventions, and industry associations meetings will be expected. (approximately 20% of time).

Experience

Highly collaborative working style and ability to connect people across the Company. 

Demonstrated ability to operate independently and handle multiple tasks with a high degree of motivation and initiative.

Strong existing network of relationships with senior-level health and policy making officials. Prior experience in relevant government body and in the medical technology sector desired.

Negotiation and communication skills to effectively build relationships with key stakeholders and senior members of the health policy community and government and advance Stryker’s priorities with these audiences.

A deep understanding of the policymaking process, especially as applicable to medical technologies, and how to advance policies aligned with the company’s mission and values.

Business acumen and ability to translate business objectives into government affairs imperatives.

Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation and advocacy skills.

Communicates effectively at all levels of the organization. 

Strategic capability to effectively set and drive long term business objectives.

Minimum of [5-15] years policy experience, with increasing responsibility and preference for experience both within government in a healthcare role and a government affairs role in a company, consultancy, or industry association.

Demonstrated track record of success in government affairs in Brussels.

Substantial experience with relevant European and country legislation and policies.

Bilingualism/multilingualism is an asset but not essential.

Bachelor's degree required. Masters or Law degree a plus with particular focus on health policy, healthcare related discipline, political science, or public policy. 

About StrykerStryker is a global leader in medical technologies and, together with its customers, is driven to make healthcare better. The company offers innovative products and services in MedSurg, Neurotechnology, Orthopaedics and Spine that help improve patient and healthcare outcomes. Alongside its customers around the world, Stryker impacts more than 130 million patients annually. More information is available at