Director, Govt Affairs

Director, Government Affairs – Amgen Ireland

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What you will do

The Director of Government Affairs is responsible for developing and executing government relations strategies that support the organization’s pharmaceutical manufacturing operations and broader corporate objectives. The role serves as the primary liaison between the company and government stakeholders, including policymakers, regulatory bodies, trade organizations, and industry groups.

The Director will monitor legislative and regulatory developments impacting pharmaceutical manufacturing, supply chain resilience, life sciences policy, and healthcare innovation. This leader will advocate for policies that enable manufacturing growth, regulatory clarity, investment incentives, and sustainable industry practices.

This position requires a strategic professional with deep experience navigating government environments, shaping policy discussions, and building trusted relationships with policymakers and regulators.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as Amgen’s primary Government Affairs representative and registered lobbyist in Ireland, advancing the company’s public policy priorities in alignment with patient needs, business objectives, and Ireland’s evolving healthcare and industrial policy environment.
• Build and sustain trusted relationships with Irish government officials, policymakers, regulators, and key stakeholders to influence legislative, regulatory, reimbursement, and policy outcomes impacting the healthcare and life sciences environment.
• Develop and execute creative, multi-pronged advocacy strategies and policy messaging to advance Amgen’s positions at national and local levels.
• Identify policy gaps, risks, and opportunities within the Irish legislative/regulatory landscape — including healthcare reform, HTA, pricing, competitiveness, sustainability, intellectual property protection, and industrial policy — proposing proactive solutions in collaboration with others to help shape a favourable and predictable policy environment.
• Partner closely with Amgen site leadership and facility management teams to support local government-related matters, including permitting, environmental, sustainability, and infrastructure issues; coordinate site visits, tours, meetings, and events with policymakers and stakeholders in collaboration with site teams.
• Serve as a strategic member of the Global Government Affairs team, contributing Irish and EU insights to broader policy-shaping strategies and collaborating closely with colleagues in Washington, DC, and Brussels to align national, EU, and global advocacy priorities.
• Monitor, analyse, and communicate emerging political, policy, and regulatory developments in Ireland, including healthcare policy, reimbursement dynamics, competitiveness, and government priorities, providing timely intelligence and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Develop and implement innovative approaches to engagement with government bodies, industry associations, and healthcare stakeholders to support sustainable patient access across Amgen’s therapeutic areas.
• Represent Amgen in relevant industry associations and policy forums, contributing to collective advocacy efforts and policy-shaping initiatives at the national and EU levels.
• Prepare and deliver high-quality briefing materials, policy submissions, position papers, and stakeholder communications to support informed decision-making, and effective external engagement.
• Communicate regularly with senior Amgen leadership, providing clear, concise written and verbal briefings on policy developments, risks, and opportunities. Manage senior executive engagements with key policy makers in Ireland as needed.
• Manage Ireland Government Affairs resources ensuring effective, efficient, and compliant deployment in support of advocacy objectives.
• Actively participate in internal and external networks to share insights, best practices, and intelligence related to healthcare policy, government affairs, and biopharmaceutical competitiveness.
• Execute day-to-day activities in a compliant and ethical manner, adhering to Irish lobbying laws and transparency requirements, and working with internal partners to collect, review, and submit Amgen’s Irish lobbying disclosures.

Win

What we expect of you

The successful candidate for this role will bring the following education, skills and experience 

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Law, Economics, or related field required
• Master’s degree (MPA, MBA, Public Policy, or Law degree) strongly preferred

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in government affairs, public policy, regulatory policy, or political advisory roles
• Experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare, or life sciences industries strongly preferred
• Experience engaging with national and regional government bodies
• Proven track record of influencing policy and building government relationships

Core Competencies

Strategic Policy Leadership

Ability to anticipate policy developments and shape government strategies aligned with business priorities.

Political Acumen

Deep understanding of legislative processes, regulatory environments, and public policy frameworks.

Relationship Building

Strong network across government institutions, regulators, and industry organizations.

Executive Influence

Ability to advise senior leadership and translate policy developments into business impact.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Effectively partner with regulatory, manufacturing, legal, and communications teams.

Key Performance Indicators

• Successful advocacy outcomes on key policy issues
• Strength of relationships with government stakeholders
• Policy developments that support manufacturing growth and investment
• Effective risk mitigation on legislative and regulatory changes
• Influence within industry associations and policy coalitions

Leadership Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong policy insight
• High ethical standards and integrity
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to operate in complex political and regulatory environments
• Collaborative and relationship-driven leadership style

Thrive

What you can expect of us

In addition to the base salary, Amgen offers a Total Rewards Plan designed to support your health, financial wellbeing, work/life balance, and long-term career growth. Comprehensive employee benefits package, including health and welfare plans for staff and eligible dependents, retirement and savings plan with generous company contributions, group medical, life and disability insurance. Discretionary annual bonus program. Exceptional learning, development, and career advancement opportunities, empowering employees to grow and build long-term careers. At Amgen, we are committed to nurturing talent and providing meaningful pathways for professional development. 

Amgen is an equal opportunity employer.