Associate Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations

Medicines for Europe

About the Organisation

Medicines for Europe represents the generic, biosimilar, and value-added medicines industries across Europe. Its vision is to provide sustainable access to high-quality medicines, based on 5 important pillars: patients, quality, value, sustainability, and partnership. Its members directly employ 190,000 people at over 400 manufacturing and 126 R&D sites in Europe and invest up to 17% of their turnover in R&D investment. Medicines for Europe member companies across Europe are both increasing access to medicines and driving improved health outcomes.

They play a key role in creating sustainable European healthcare systems by continuing to provide high-quality, effective generic medicines, whilst also innovating to create new biosimilar medicines and bringing to market value-added medicines, which deliver better health outcomes, greater efficiency, and improved safety in the hospital setting for patients. Medicines for Europe represents the generic, biosimilar, and value-added medicines industry across Europe, advocating for sustainable access to medicines for all patients.

• Since 1993, Medicines for Europe has represented pharmaceutical companies supplying the largest share of prescription medicines across Europe.
• They are the voice of the generic, biosimilar, and value-added medicines industries.
• Leading partner for political change at an EU level, and hence, better healthcare.
• Increasing the health and well-being of all Europeans through better access to high-quality medicines.
• The portfolios of Medicines for Europe members cover 80% of therapy areas.
• Safeguarding the sustainability of Europe’s healthcare systems for future generations.

About the role

The Associate Director of Communications and stakeholder relations is responsible for shaping and executing a comprehensive communications strategy and building and maintaining strong relationships with key healthcare stakeholders, community doctors, patients' associations, and other healthcare professionals to support the organisation’s objectives and advocacy priorities. This role will lead external communications efforts, ensuring alignment with Medicines for Europe’s strategic policy objectives, as well as connecting with heads of communications of member companies and of national associations across Europe.

The individual will develop impactful narratives that promote the value of generics, biosimilars, and value-added medicines, support advocacy campaigns, and position the organization as a trusted voice in European healthcare policy. The individual will be expected to coordinate the contact with media, coordinating major communication events, support the Association spokesperson, and build and coordinate relationships with patient groups in coordination with topic leaders. The Associate Director will be part of the External Affairs Department and will directly report to and support the Deputy Director General and Executive Director for External Affairs.

Responsibilities

Strategic Communications and Planning:

• Develop and execute a communications strategy that supports Medicines for Europe’s mission and policy objectives
• Align communications plans to support the Association’s advocacy priorities and European healthcare trends.
• Coordinating the Communications Advisory Group and ad-hoc project task forces
• Support internal communication coordination to foster engagement and alignment within the association.

External Communications:

• Drive media relations, thought leadership, and develop proactive storytelling to influence policy debates.
• Manage press inquiries, develop statements, and coordinate interviews and speaking opportunities for the Association’s spokespersons.
• Develop content for social media, website, newsletters, and campaigns to engage policymakers, healthcare professionals, and patient groups.

Stakeholder Relations:

• Build and maintain relationships with key non-institutional stakeholders: patient groups as priority; others might include think tanks, social partners, business and industry stakeholders.
• Coordinate regular engagement with stakeholders through meetings, briefings, and events.
• Support the development of stakeholder outreach strategies and engagement plans.
• Develop briefing materials and key messages for interactions with stakeholders.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

• 6 to 10 years of experience in strategic communications, preferably in healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
• Ability to work in highly regulated industries, ideally with good knowledge of the European healthcare environment.
• Proven track record in media relations, stakeholder engagement, and campaign management. An existing network within the main European media would be appreciated.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; additional European languages are an asset.
• Dynamic, proactive, autonomous, and with a can-do
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, highly matrixed environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Attentive, with perspective and a real team spirit. Curious and open-minded, you foster an inclusive and positive work environment.
• Creative storytelling and digital communications expertise.
• Comfortable working in a multi-cultural, international environment.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred in Communications and related fields.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive Salary + Meal vouchers €8
• Net remote work allowance
• Hospitalisation insurance and Pension fund.
• Up to 2 days of teleworking/week.
• The possibility to represent a dynamic European industry and interact with diverse stakeholders.
• The opportunity to take ownership and have an impact, as well as being part of a motivated and multicultural team.

Working locations

• Brussels, Belgium

How to apply

• Interested candidates are asked to submit their applications consisting of a Cover Letter and a recent CV to the Recruitment Team at [email protected] and [email protected].
• The deadline to apply is the 15th May 2026 at 23:59, with early applications to be encouraged.

Return to listing