Join Vaccines Europe team

July 10, 2020

Executive Director, Vaccines Europe

About Vaccines Europe: Vaccines Europe (VE) is the specialised vaccines industry group operating within the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). It represents innovative research-based vaccine companies as well as small and medium sized enterprises operating in Europe.

About EFPIA:

Together with its 33 national member associations, 39 leading pharmaceutical companies and representing 1,900 companies, the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations’ mission is to create a collaborative environment that enables its members to innovate, discover, develop and deliver new therapies and vaccines for people across Europe, as well as contribute to the European economy.

Role:

  • To be the voice of the Vaccines industry in Europe; overall accountability for the management and success of VE – including strategy development, definition of objectives and their delivery – in partnership with the VE team, VE Board, drawing support from and aligning with EFPIA as needed.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Define and update periodically the strategy for VE, in alignment with the Board and EFPIA strategy
  • Clarify and align with the Board, the annual strategic priorities for VE and develop a plan to ensure:
    • The work of VE, including staff and its working Groups, is aligned to the priorities
    • That VE has clear aligned positions on key topics
    • That VE responds to relevant consultations and requests from EU stakeholders (incl. institutions, media, etc)
    • That VE drives for action to improve and mitigate risks in the European environment for vaccines
  • To monitor the external European environment, ensure that VE responds appropriately and that members are duly informed of relevant policy developments
  • Manage a network of National Vaccine Industry Groups to deliver alignment with and amplification of the goals of VE at Member States level
  • Represent VE with EU stakeholders and the media, working in close partnership with EFPIA and the VE President
  • Accountable for management of VE including, including managing and motivating a small team
  • Delivery of the budget, with the Treasurer
  • Drive close alignment and co-ordination with EFPIA and other Trade Associations working on common topics and vaccines, where appropriate (eg IFPMA, BIO)

 Minimum requirements:

  • Substantial experience working in public affairs, in Trade Associations, companies or EU institutions; healthcare experience is a must, vaccines knowledge desirable
  • Extensive knowledge of the European institutional environment and institutional interactions as well as a developed network therein
  • Fluent in written and spoken English
  • Leadership and management capability

 Knowledge, skills and abilities:

  • Under-graduate degree in an area relevant to the responsibility of the job. A Masters in health-related issues or EU Affairs is desirable
  • Good judgement
  • Leadership capability
  • Strategic understanding and capability
  • Solution- and delivery-focused
  • Able to motivate and engage others (both in the team and able to lead the substantial resources put in by Member companies)
  • Strong advocacy skills – applied in a political context and to get things done internally
  • Communication skills (both written and oral)
  • Able to work under pressure, able to multi-task and manage in a fast-moving, busy environment
  • Working knowledge of other EU languages is desirable

EFPIA / Vaccines Europe offers:

  • A permanent contract to start as soon as possible.
  • Interested candidates should send their application by 15 August  2020, or address any question on the position to vacancy@efpia.eu.The application should consist of:
    • CV
    • Cover letter max. half page
    • A 1-pager outlining the challenges for the vaccine industry.