Government Affairs & Regional Public Affairs Head (UAE/ Gulf)

Job title: Government Affairs & Institutional Relations Head (UAE + Gulf)

• Location: Dubai, UAE
• Work Style: Hybrid | High travel across Gulf region

About the job

As Government Affairs & Institutional Relations Head (UAE + Gulf) within our Public Affairs team, you'll lead Sanofi's government affairs and institutional engagement across the UAE and wider Gulf region — shaping policy, building institutional alliances, and supporting health-system transformation aligned with national vision agendas including UAE 2031, Oman Vision 2040, and the Qatar National Health Strategy. Ready to get started?

Join our Corporate Functions team and play a vital part in the performance of our entire business while helping to make an impact on millions around the world. You'll strengthen Sanofi's presence as a strategic healthcare partner across the Gulf, enabling unified policy positioning and coordinated engagement across all markets and GBUs.

About Sanofi:

We're an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people's lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system – and innovative pipeline – enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve people's lives.

Main responsibilities:

• Build strong, credible relationships with UAE MOHAP, DHA, DOH-Abu Dhabi, GCC regulatory bodies, Gulf health councils, immunization committees, pricing authorities, and national procurement bodies to advance Sanofi's strategic agenda.
• Represent Sanofi in multi-government initiatives on AI in healthcare, digital health, vaccination, and chronic disease strategies across the Gulf region.
• Track policy developments across Gulf markets, evaluate implications for all GBUs, and develop advocacy strategies on pricing reforms, regulatory innovation, immunization pathways, and disease-prevention programs.
• Ensure Public Affairs alignment across Vaccines, Specialty Care, and General Medicines at regional and country levels, providing proactive policy insights to support access strategies and launch readiness.
• Establish and lead collaborations with Gulf health councils, regional scientific societies, multilateral organizations, and public-health institutions to support disease prevention, screening, NCD management, and digital-health adoption.
• Contribute to regional white papers, position statements, and industry-platform recommendations that shape the healthcare policy landscape across the Gulf.
• Monitor emerging external risks and support crisis-management preparedness and mitigation plans in coordination with Corporate Affairs and Communications.
• Engage with embassies, trade missions, and economic-development offices where relevant to advance Sanofi's institutional presence across the region.

About you

• 6–10 years of experience in Public Affairs, Government Relations, Institutional Relations, or Health Policy roles across Gulf markets.
• Strong familiarity with UAE health authorities (MOHAP, DHA, DOH-Abu Dhabi) and the broader GCC policy environment.
• Proven ability to navigate multi-country stakeholders and diverse healthcare systems across the Gulf region.
• Strong fluency in English is required; Arabic is highly preferred.
• Experienced level competencies in Healthcare Policies, Strategic Insights, Government Advocacy, Trade Associations, Partnership Development, and Strategy Development.
• Strong stakeholder relationship management and policy development capabilities, with excellent communication skills and business acumen.
• Intermediate level skills in Foster Innovation and Crisis Management.

• Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, International Relations, Political Science, Law, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Willingness to travel extensively across Gulf markets as required by the regional scope of the role.

Why choose us?

• Make your work count by supporting a company that brings life-changing treatments to millions — and is committed to doing right by patients, communities, and the planet.
• Shape healthcare policy and access across the Gulf region, directly contributing to national vision agendas including UAE 2031, Oman Vision 2040, and the Qatar National Health Strategy.
• Drive Progress from within by helping simplify, scale, and modernize how a global biopharma business delivers smarter, faster, and more sustainably across the region.
• Make an impact across borders and functions, collaborating with senior leaders and government stakeholders to turn complex policy challenges into real-world solutions for patients.
• Advance your career through stretch roles, cross-functional moves, and development opportunities designed to match your ambition.
• Thrive in inclusive, high-performing teams where every role matters and every voice helps shape what's next.

Pursue Progress. Discover Extraordinary.

Join Sanofi and step into a new era of science - where your growth can be just as transformative as the work we do. We invest in you to reach further, think faster, and do what's never-been-done-before. You'll help push boundaries, challenge convention, and build smarter solutions that reach the communities we serve. Ready to chase the miracles of science and improve people's lives? Let's Pursue Progress and Discover Extraordinary – together.

At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.