Director, Healthcare

Role Summary

The Director will lead and grow APCO’s Healthcare practice in Dubai, serving as a senior strategic adviser to private-sector healthcare clients across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the wider GCC. The role combines government relations, healthcare policy and public affairs expertise, senior client leadership, team development, and business growth. Working with APCO colleagues and specialist capabilities across the region and globally, the Director will support multinational pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical-device, health insurer, and healthcare provider clients; facilitate constructive engagement with public-sector stakeholders; shape integrated strategies; guide high-quality delivery; strengthen senior client and government relationships; and identify opportunities to expand existing accounts and secure new business.

Responsibilities

• Builds, maintains, and leverages senior relationships with health authorities and government stakeholders across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the wider GCC to support clients’ government relations and wider public affairs activities

• Serves as lead relationship manager and senior advisor to a diverse healthcare client portfolio, including multinational pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical-device, health insurer, and healthcare provider organizations

• Advises clients on government relations, policy advocacy, and strategic partnerships

• Facilitates effective engagement and advocacy on behalf of private-sector healthcare clients while aligning with public-sector stakeholders’ health system objectives

• Confidently engages with senior client staff and leadership, including leading client meetings

• Builds credibility with clients by offering knowledgeable observations, insights, and strategic thinking regarding public affairs activities, informed by prior experience and deep knowledge of the sector

• Guides junior team members on health policy monitoring and analysis, global benchmarking, and the development of evidence-based policy advocacy strategies and stakeholder engagement plans

• Guides junior team members to produce high-quality, client-ready written deliverables, such as policy papers, stakeholder messaging toolkits, and advocacy communications, often under tight deadlines

• Demonstrates success in organically growing client accounts and actively pursues new opportunities with prospects, including leading business development activities

• Maintains a strong professional network with industry groups and associations 

• Actively engages in team member development; acts as a leader and mentor to team members

• Leads and engages in annual business planning efforts

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of experience in health; a combination of agency, in-house, and health insurance experience is preferred

• Mandatory: Established senior relationships with health authorities and relevant government stakeholders in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, supported by a strong network across the wider GCC

• Strong UAE, Saudi, and wider GCC experience, with a clear understanding of regional and local healthcare systems, policy environments, and stakeholder landscapes

• Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, biotechnology or another relevant scientific discipline

• Advanced degree in public health, health sciences, pharmaceutical business, healthcare management, or another relevant scientific or business discipline

• Experience in facilitating and moderating health policy discussions

• Experience in healthcare policy analysis and translating implications to industry stakeholders

• Strong experience in stakeholder engagement and management

• Demonstrated public health expertise and the ability to translate scientific, clinical, and health-system considerations into clear strategic advice for healthcare business and policy audiences

• Deep understanding of global and regional healthcare policy and pharmaceutical industry issues

• Previous experience working within a pharmaceutical company is an advantage; experience advising multinational pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical-device companies is strongly preferred

• Exceptional presentation, writing, and analytical skills, including the ability to write strategically under tight deadlines

• Highly detail-oriented, with strong project management skills and a deadline-driven approach

• Experience managing a budget

• Proven managerial experience, including leading teams, allocating work effectively, mentoring colleagues, and supporting their professional development

• Arabic language capability is preferred

Careers at APCO 

Throughout recruitment, hiring and retention efforts, APCO is committed to building teams to bring the best possible expertise and robust perspectives to our clients. We embrace differences in experience, viewpoint and ideas, starting with our values and extending to our behaviors, policies and practices. We aim to create a positive work experience and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.