Vice President, Government Affairs, Health, London

A Strategic Government Affairs Leadership Opportunity

As healthcare systems increasingly prioritise innovation, digital transformation, value-based care and improved patient outcomes, our client is seeking an experienced Vice President, Government Affairs to lead its external policy and stakeholder engagement strategy.

This newly created government affairs leadership role will be responsible for shaping the organisation’s government affairs agenda across key markets, ensuring the business remains well-positioned amid evolving healthcare policy, regulatory frameworks, reimbursement environments and health technology adoption pathways.

The successful candidate will play a critical role in advancing policies that support patient access to innovative medical technologies while strengthening the organisation’s reputation and influence among policymakers, regulators and healthcare decision-makers.

Role Overview: Vice President, Government Affairs

As Vice President, Government Affairs, you will:

Develop and execute a global government affairs and public policy strategy aligned with the company’s commercial objectives, innovation agenda and long-term growth priorities.
Monitor, analyse and communicate emerging legislative, policy and regulatory developments affecting the medical device and health technology sector.
Advise executive leadership on policy, reimbursement, market access and regulatory developments that may impact business strategy, product adoption and patient access.
Build and maintain trusted relationships with government departments, health ministries, policymakers, regulatory authorities, healthcare providers, payer organisations and industry associations.
Lead engagement with healthcare policy forums, industry coalitions, trade associations and stakeholder groups to shape policy outcomes relevant to medical technology innovation.
Drive advocacy initiatives supporting the adoption of innovative medical devices, digital health solutions and technologies that improve patient outcomes and healthcare system efficiency.
Coordinate company responses to consultations, policy reviews, legislative proposals and healthcare reform initiatives across priority markets.
Partner closely with market access, regulatory affairs, legal, commercial, clinical and communications teams to ensure alignment of policy positions and external engagement activities.
Represent the organisation at high-profile industry conferences, government roundtables, parliamentary events and stakeholder forums.
Lead and develop a high-performing government affairs function capable of influencing complex policy environments across multiple jurisdictions.

Government Affairs Experience Required

To be considered for this role, you will have:

Experience in government affairs, public affairs, healthcare policy, market access or regulatory policy within the medical device, diagnostic , digital health, life sciences or broader healthcare sector.

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, International Relations, Public Health, Healthcare Management, Law, Economics or a related discipline.
• Proven experience engaging senior policymakers, government officials, healthcare authorities and regulatory agencies on healthcare and medical technology policy issues.
• Strong understanding of healthcare systems, reimbursement frameworks, procurement processes, health technology assessment (HTA) and market access pathways.
• Experience influencing healthcare policy and regulatory developments affecting medical devices, diagnostics, digital health technologies and innovation adoption.
• Demonstrable experience engaging with UK and European healthcare institutions, including government departments, health agencies, regulatory authorities, payer organisations and relevant EU bodies.
• Experience representing organisations within industry associations, trade groups, policy coalitions and multi-stakeholder initiatives.
  Strong understanding of the intersection between healthcare policy, regulatory requirements, patient access and commercial strategy.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively at C-suite, government and healthcare leadership levels.

Preferred Background

Experience gained within a leading medical device, diagnostics, digital health or health technology company is highly desirable, as is a strong network across healthcare policymakers, reimbursement authorities, regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders in the UK and Europe.

Government Affairs Leadership Attributes

Strategic and commercially minded.
Politically astute and highly influential.
Credible with senior government and healthcare stakeholders.
Collaborative and relationship-driven.
Passionate about advancing innovation and improving patient outcomes through medical technology.

If that sounds like you, please apply now by getting in touch with our team via the form below for a confidential, exploratory chat, or contact us now. 

Hanson Search is a globally recognised, award-winning talent advisory and headhunting consultancy. Our expertise lies in building successful ventures worldwide through our recruitment, interim and executive search services. 

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all. You can access our Diversity and Inclusion Policy here.