Director of Strategic Government Relations & Public Affairs Medicines Australia
Exclusively listed with On Q Recruitment | Canberra, Sydney or Melbourne
Medicines Australia, the peak body representing the innovative pharmaceutical industry, has exclusively engaged On Q Recruitment to appoint a Director of Strategic Government Relations & Public Affairs , a senior leadership position that sits at the very heart of one of Australia's most consequential sectors.
The Opportunity
This is not a government relations role in the traditional sense. It's a mandate to shape how Australia thinks, legislates, and invests in innovative medicines. This is the kind of role that extend lives, transforms patient outcomes, and positions Australia as a global leader in healthcare.
Reporting directly to the CEO and operating as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will define and lead the government engagement strategy across Federal, State and Territory governments, oppositions, and Members of Parliament.
You'll build and leverage high-level relationships that translate policy ambition into real outcomes for members and the patients they ultimately serve.
For the right person, this role also has the potential to form part of the organisational succession planning, a clear signal of the trust, seniority, and long-term investment Medicines Australia places in this appointment.
What You'll Be Doing
You'll develop and execute a sophisticated stakeholder engagement strategy, represent Medicines Australia at the highest levels of policy and government, and act as a trusted partner to member companies navigating a complex and fast-moving regulatory environment. You'll brief the CEO on the political landscape, lead submissions and inquiry responses, and build a culture of collaboration across the organisation and its member network.
Who We're Looking For
You're a seasoned government relations professional with a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical or health sector, and an established network across Federal or State government. You bring significant executive leadership experience, a strategic mind, and the kind of emotional intelligence that turns stakeholders into advocates. You're energised by complexity. You communicate with clarity and confidence. You’re a strong, trusted relationship-builder across the stakeholder landscape, and internally. And you're genuinely passionate about the intersection of policy, industry and patient impact.
This role is open to candidates located in Canberra, Sydney or Melbourne.
Please note: an expectation of regular travel to Canberra (approx. once a fortnight), for key meetings and team management responsibilities. Accommodation will be provided for those travelling from outside Canberra.
Why This Matters
The decisions made in this role influence which medicines Australians can access, when, and at what cost. That's a rare kind of professional purpose and it's the reason the right candidate won't just want this role, they will feel compelled by it.
To express your interest or request a confidential brief , please contact Catherine O’Mahony or Nina Mapson Bone. All enquiries are managed with complete discretion.
Closing date for applications is Thursday 5th March 2026.
On Q Recruitment is a specialist recruitment partner to the Life Sciences, STEM and Government sectors. We are proud to be exclusively retained by Medicines Australia for this appointment.
