About the role
Associate Director (m/f/x), Policy, Advocacy & Government Affairs – Iberia
Location: Madrid Spain
Function: Global Policy, Advocacy & Public Affairs (Corporate & External Affairs)Contract type: Fulltime, permanent
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Associate Director, Policy, Advocacy & Government Affairs (PAGA) for Iberia, responsible for leading CSL's external policy, political engagement, and advocacy strategy across Spain and Portugal.
This role is critical in advancing CSL's corporate and commercial priorities, strengthening our reputation, shaping policy environments, and enabling patient access to our therapies. The successful candidate will serve as the company's main political affairs representative in Iberia and a key partner to commercial, medical, market access, and communications teams.
The Role
- Develop and execute a strategic government affairs and policy plan that enables business success and improves patient access in Spain and Portugal.
- Lead CSL's engagement with government bodies, industry associations, patient advocacy groups, and policy influencers; represent the company in key committees; partner with Communications on media relations in Iberia.
- Drive senior leadership engagement (GM, Cluster Head, International/Global CEA) with priority stakeholders and expand CSL's external network in Spain and Portugal.
- Serve on the Iberia Leadership Team and work collaboratively with Commercial, Medical, Market Access, Regulatory, and Communications to align on strategies and integrate policy insights.
- Manage relationships with patient advocacy groups in close coordination with Medical Affairs and Communications and support corporate communication initiatives.
- Provide policy monitoring, intelligence, and analysis for International and Global CEA teams, contributing to reports and best practice sharing.
- Act as the primary Corporate & External Affairs contact for Iberia and support international media communication strategies.
Your Skills and Experience:
- Graduate or professional degree in Law, Public Health, International Relations, Political Science, or similar fields preferred.
- Minimum 8 years of experience in healthcare policy, public affairs, access, or related fields in Spain.
- Experience engaging with legislative and executive government representatives and key public-sector institutions.
- Strong network of relationships with government, policy makers, industry, and patient advocacy stakeholders in Spain.
- Experience informing commercial strategies through policy insight and working in complex matrix environments.
- Experience in biologics, plasma, or pharmaceutical industries preferred.
- Experience partnering with patient organizations on shared policy goals.
Additional Information
- Travel required, including regular travel to Barcelona.
Reporting Relationship:
Role that this position reports to:
- Head, Policy, Advocacy & Public Affairs – International
- Iberia General Manager (dotted line)
Roles that report to this position: none
What we offer
- A meaningful, purpose‑driven career contributing to access to innovative therapies and shaping impactful health policy.
- A competitive compensation and benefits package aligned with the local market.
- Annual bonus eligibility based on company and individual performance.
- Hybrid working model that supports flexibility while maintaining strong collaboration.
- Comprehensive wellbeing and health benefits, including programs that support physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing.
- Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development, including global knowledge‑sharing and leadership development programs.
- A collaborative, inclusive, and values‑based culture where integrity, innovation, and patient focus guide everything we do.
- Career growth within an international organization with the ability to influence global strategy and policy.
We look forward to receiving your application.
About CSL Vifor
CSL Vifor is a global partner of choice for pharmaceuticals and innovative, leading therapies in iron deficiency and nephrology. We specialize in strategic global partnering, in-licensing and developing, manufacturing and marketing pharmaceutical products for precision healthcare, aiming to help patients around the world lead better, healthier lives. Headquartered in St. Gallen, Switzerland, CSL Vifor also includes the joint company Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma (with Fresenius Medical Care). The parent company, CSL, headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, employs 32,000 people and delivers its lifesaving therapies to people in more than 100 countries.
To learn more about CSL, CSL Behring, CSL Seqirus and CSL Vifor visit https://www.csl.com/ and CSL Plasma at https://www.cslplasma.com/.
Our Benefits
For more information on CSL benefits visit How CSL Supports Your Well-being | CSL.
You Belong at CSL
At CSL, Inclusion and Belonging is at the core of our mission and who we are. It fuels our innovation day in and day out. By celebrating our differences and creating a culture of curiosity and empathy, we are able to better understand and connect with our patients and donors, foster strong relationships with our stakeholders, and sustain a diverse workforce that will move our company and industry into the future.
To learn more about inclusion and belonging visit https://www.csl.com/careers/inclusion-and-belonging
Equal Opportunity Employer
CSL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please visit https://www.csl.com/accessibility-statement.
Aplyr's read
CSL is a leader in biotechnology, focusing on therapies for rare diseases, with a diverse team dedicated to innovation and global impact.
What's promising
- •CSL has a strong focus on rare and serious diseases, offering a unique niche in the biotech industry.
- •Recent hiring for senior roles indicates growth and investment in leadership and strategic capabilities.
- •Global presence provides employees with opportunities for international collaboration and career development.
What to watch
- •Highly specialized focus may limit opportunities for those outside the biotechnology field.
- •Complex regulatory environment can pose challenges for compliance and operational efficiency.
- •Rapid expansion may lead to integration challenges across diverse global teams.
Why CSL
- •CSL's commitment to rare disease therapies differentiates it from broader-focused biotech firms.
- •The company offers a wide array of roles, from regulatory affairs to ethics and compliance.
- •CSL's global operations provide a platform for employees to engage in diverse cultural and professional experiences.
Aplyr’s read is generated by AI from public sources. Was it useful?
About CSL
CSL is a global biotechnology company that develops and delivers innovative therapies for people with serious and rare diseases.
Similar roles
Senior Director, HR Business Partner (Raleigh, NC)
Thermo Fisher
Director, Global AI Product Enablement – Medical Affairs
Gilead Sciences
Business Operations Director
JLL
Director, PDS Projects - QAQC Manager
JLL
R42183 Associate Director, External Data Acquisition and Delivery
Regeneron
Junior Art Director (Graduate Program)
Ogilvy