Head Of Corporate Affairs Italy

Location: Italy (Bologna or Milan)
Reports to: Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer
Teams alignment: Member of Communications & Public Affairs Leadership Team

About Us:

Alfasigma is a privately-held global healthcare company founded over 75 years ago in Italy, where it remains headquartered today in Bologna and Milan. The Group operates in over 100 markets spanning Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Africa.

Over three years ago, we embarked on a transformative journey to become a truly global innovative healthcare company with a leading focus in Gastrointestinal (GI) health. We have experienced remarkable growth, nearly doubling our revenues, expanding geographically, and integrating several key acquisitions. We have also evolved our portfolio, expanded into rare and specialty segments, and strengthened our pipeline and people capabilities.

But our journey is far from complete! In fact, this is just the beginning of a bold new chapter in Alfasigma’s history. We are committed to advancing innovation and leveraging our deep expertise to provide better health and a better quality of life for patients and consumers worldwide,  and expand our reach across diverse markets.

As we continue to grow, we are seeking a Head of Communications & Government Affairs for our home market, Italy, to build trusted relationships with stakeholders, shape policy discussions, and share our story with the external world.

Join us and help shape and drive our continued success!

Position Overview:

As Head of Corporate Affairs, Italy, you will serve as the strategic leader and play a pivotal role in enhancing and protecting Alfasigma’s reputation in its home market — one of the company’s largest and most strategically important. This role covers internal communications, external communications (including corporate, product, and therapeutic area/category), issues management, and — most critically — government affairs.

This is a highly visible and strategically critical matrix role that demands exceptional stakeholder management skills and the ability to navigate complexity with agility and confidence. The ideal candidate will be comfortable collaborating across multiple stakeholder groups — from country leadership and functional teams to global colleagues — bringing a business-partner mindset to drive results.

You will work closely with the Italian Country Leadership Team, the Supply Chain Leadership Team, and cross-functional partners across Regulatory, Market Access, HR, and Legal, as well as global teams including Government Affairs, Policy, and External Communications to ensure alignment with the company’s strategic corporate affairs efforts. Additionally, you will act as a trusted partner to the Chairman & Vice-Chairmen supporting them as they represent Alfasigma to external stakeholders. Through these partnerships, you will deliver integrated strategies that build trust, support business objectives and growth, and strengthen Alfasigma’s leadership in healthcare in Italy.

Government Affairs:

• Lead the development and execution of government affairs strategies to shape a favorable policy environment that supports Alfasigma’s business and corporate objectives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders, particularly policymakers, government officials, and industry associations.
• Represent Alfasigma in industry associations, public forums, and stakeholder engagements to influence policy outcomes and promote the company’s interests and reputation.
• Monitor and analyze legislative, regulatory, and political developments relevant to the environment in which the company operates, anticipating risks and opportunities to protect and enhance Alfasigma’s license to operate.
• Partner closely with global and local teams to ensure alignment.
• Work as one team with the EU Government Affairs team, ensuring EU strategies are effectively implemented locally while feeding local insights and intelligence back to the EU team to inform broader policy development.
• Leverage Alfasigma’s significant footprint in Italy across commercial, manufacturing and R&D to support the EU Government Affairs Team to build trusted external relationships

Communications & Reputation Management

• Implement integrated, multi-channel strategic communications plans aligned with evolving business objectives and global direction; design initiatives that proactively shape Alfasigma’s reputation (e.g., roundtables, briefings, events).
• Create integrated messaging and content to influence business perception and communicate Alfasigma’s perspective—covering responsible business agenda, community engagement, and its significant contribution to Italy’s economy through its manufacturing footprint and role as a major employer and investor.
• Engage policymakers, local stakeholders, and national media to elevate Alfasigma’s reputation as a trusted healthcare company and strategic industrial player.
• Build/localize and execute campaigns supporting the product portfolio and business objectives (brand/therapeutic area communications, disease awareness, corporate announcements, employee engagement).
• Partner with the global corporate media team to maintain relationships with key Italian media to amplify Alfasigma’s narrative.
• Lead issues and crisis communications planning and response in Italy, ensuring timely, aligned, and effective management across internal and external stakeholders per global protocols.
• Oversee Alfasigma’s social impact and responsible business activities in Italy, coordinating closely with shareholders and the business to ensure consistency and alignment.

Internal Communications

• Plan and deliver internal communications supporting transformation, strategic clarity, and employee engagement across multiple audiences—including HQ teams, manufacturing site employees, commercial teams, and Italy-based global functions.
• Ensure timely, clear communication of company priorities, initiatives, and culture-building efforts.
• Support leadership visibility and employee connection through planned communication moments.
• Align internal messaging with external narratives to create a unified organizational voice.

Qualifications and experience:

• Degree in Economics, Business, International Affairs, Finance, Languages, Science, or equivalents would be welcomed.
• Corporate Affairs leader with 15+ years in dynamic, fast-paced environments, proven in developing and executing corporate affairs strategies that drive business success and reputation.
• Experienced in working within multi-functional matrix teams and managing multiple projects (timelines, budgets, priorities) simultaneously; highly flexible, solution- and results-oriented.
• Strategic thinker and hands-on implementer with strong ownership, accountability, and timely decision-making skills.
• Strong senior stakeholder management, able to influence, engage, and collaborate with C-suite executives and senior leaders across functions.
• Strong business acumen and clear understanding of how communications and government/public affairs support business growth.

• Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing teams, with a focus on coaching, mentorship, and fostering collaboration and continuous improvement.