Public Affairs-Associate PA Director - Shanghai

About the job

The Associate PA Director plays a transversal role within China PA, encompassing healthcare policy, government/institutional relations, and patient advocacy covering both BU-specific and company-wide topics. Reporting to the China PA Head, this individual contributor role is responsible for developing and executing public affairs strategies that support Sanofi's business objectives and strengthen the company's reputation and access agenda in China.

Key Responsibilities

1. Healthcare Policy & Government Relations

Monitor, analyze, and interpret Chinese healthcare policy developments, regulatory changes, and government initiatives relevant to Sanofi's portfolio

Build and maintain productive relationships with key government bodies, institutional stakeholders, and industry associations (e.g., NHSA, NMPA, NHC, NDRC)

Represent Sanofi in policy dialogues, public consultations, and industry forums to advocate for evidence-based healthcare policies

2. Public Affairs Strategy & Execution

Develop and implement country-level PA strategies aligned with GenMed China business priorities and global PA direction

Contribute to product launch strategies from a PA perspective, ensuring policy and access considerations are integrated early

Design and execute public awareness campaigns to enhance Sanofi's visibility and credibility with key stakeholders

3. Patient Advocacy & Stakeholder Engagement

Engage with patient organizations, scientific societies, and associated institutions to build coalitions and advance shared healthcare goals

Develop and manage strategic partnerships with external stakeholders to support disease awareness and patient access initiatives

Represent Sanofi's patient-centric values in all external engagements

4. Crisis & Issues Management

Anticipate and manage potential public affairs risks and issues that may impact Sanofi's reputation or business operations in China

Assist crisis communication and response plans in coordination with Communications and Legal teams

5. Cross-functional Collaboration

Partner closely with Medical, Market Access, Regulatory, Legal, and Commercial teams to ensure PA strategies are integrated into broader business plans

Provide PA intelligence and insights to internal stakeholders to inform decision-making

Collaborate with regional and global PA teams to align on priorities and share best practices

About you

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor's degree or above in Public Policy, Political Science, Public Health, Communications, or a related field

Minimum 8–10 years of relevant experience in public affairs, government relations, or healthcare policy, preferably within the pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical industry

Deep understanding of China's healthcare system, policy landscape, and regulatory environment

Proven track record of building and managing relationships with government officials, industry associations, and patient organizations

Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate policy insights into actionable business recommendations

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both Mandarin and English

Ability to work effectively in a matrix organization and manage multiple priorities