AMET Public Affairs Lead

You’ve built experience, now use it where bold ideas meet real impact. At Opella, we’re challenging how self-care works for millions of people and need leaders and experts ready to shape what’s next. As a Public Affairs Lead you’ll bring your skill, your curiosity and your drive to make health simpler, smarter and more human. About The Job Opella is seeking a seasoned Public Affairs & Policy leader to shape and advance the external environment across the Africa–Middle East–Turkey (AMET) Zone in support of its Consumer Healthcare growth ambitions. This role is pivotal in influencing policy frameworks that enable the expansion of self-care and ensure a favorable regulatory landscape for over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and the VMS portfolio. The successful candidate will define and execute a clear, prioritized public affairs strategy aligned with business objectives—grounded in a deep understanding of the region’s complex and evolving policy, regulatory, and geopolitical landscape. By proactively engaging governments, policymakers, and key external stakeholders, this leader will champion policies that strengthen market access, unlock growth opportunities, and position Opella as a trusted partner in advancing self-care. Acting as a strategic advisor to the Zone General Manager and leadership team, the role requires strong judgment, agility, and a proven track record in policy advocacy and coalition building. It will also play a critical role in strengthening Opella’s influence in national and regional trade associations, including MENAP-SMI, to drive a coordinated and impactful industry agenda. Main Responsibilities Set strategy & priorities: Define and execute a clear, prioritized public affairs strategy aligned to business growth objectives across AMET. Policy insight & foresight: Analyze the self-care policy landscape; anticipate regulatory, geo-political, and industry trends (e.g., e-commerce, pharmacy, access) and translate them into actionable plans. Advocacy & positioning: Develop and lead policy positions, papers, and advocacy strategies—aligned with global and zone leadership—to influence key policy outcomes. Stakeholder leadership: Build, deepen, and mobilize relationships with governments, regulators, trade associations (including MENAP-SMI), and key opinion leaders. Executive counsel: Provide clear, strategic guidance to the Zone GM and zone leadership team on risks, opportunities, and policy developments. Risk management: Identify emerging risks early; develop scenarios and mitigation plans to protect reputation and business continuity. Cross-functional alignment: Partner closely with Commercial, Categories, Regulatory, and Communications teams to ensure cohesive, business-driven action. External intelligence: Monitor policy, competitive, and stakeholder developments; ensure timely, actionable insights are shared across leadership. Industry influence: Strengthen Opella’s voice and leadership in national and regional industry forums to shape the broader self-care agenda. Key Working Relationships Core member of the AMET leadership team, shaping business and policy direction. Trusted partner to the AMET GM, Country Heads, and Zone leadership across priority markets. Strong cross-functional collaboration with Commercial, Regulatory, Medical, and Communications teams to ensure aligned, business-driven action. Close partnership with the AMET Science Head and AMET Communications Lead to align policy, evidence, reputation, and advocacy strategies. Active engagement with the Global Public Affairs team to ensure consistency and leverage global expertise and best practices. Build and lead a broad network across the AMET healthcare ecosystem, including governments, regulators, and industry bodies (notably MENAP-SMI). Select, direct, and manage external advisors and agencies to deliver high-impact outcomes. About You Senior public affairs leader (10+ years) with a strong track record shaping policy environments to drive business outcomes; healthcare experience essential, Consumer Healthcare/FMCG a plus. Deep understanding of the AMET healthcare and policy landscape, with established government and stakeholder networks. Proven success in policy advocacy, market access, reputation building, and multi-stakeholder coalition leadership. Experience navigating highly regulated, multi-country environments, with familiarity with regional bodies (e.g., WHO AFRO/EMRO, African Union, Africa Medicines Agency) an advantage. Strong commercial acumen and entrepreneurial mindset, translating policy shifts into growth opportunities. Demonstrated ability to lead in a matrix, influence without authority, and deliver with a compliance-first mindset. Excellent strategic thinking, risk assessment, and decision-making capabilities in complex, fast-paced environments. High level of independence, resilience, and results orientation. Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to build trust at senior levels internally and externally. Strong intercultural agility, fostering collaboration, innovation, and performance across diverse markets. Advanced degree preferred (e.g., MA, MBA, MSc). Fluent in English, Arabic; French or Turkish are strong assets. This is more than the next step in your career, it’s a chance to lead change and help reinvent self-care for the world. If you’re ready to challenge, inspire and deliver impact that matters, we’re ready for you. We are challengers. We are Opella. About Us Opella is the self-care challenger with the purest and third-largest portfolio in the Over The Counter (OTC) & Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements (VMS) market globally. Our mission is to bring health in people’s hands by making self-care as simple as it should be. For half a billion consumers worldwide – and counting. At the core of this mission is our 100 loved brands, our 11,000-strong global team, our 13 best-in-class manufacturing sites and 4 specialized science and innovation development centers. Headquartered in France, Opella is the proud maker of many of the world’s most loved brands, including Allegra, Buscopan, Doliprane, Dulcolax, Enterogermina, Essentiale and Mucosolvan. As a globally certified B Corp company, we are active players in the journey towards healthier people and planet. Find out more about our mission at www.opella.com.