The Organisation

‍

The British Association of European Pharmaceutical Distributors (BAEPD) is the sole trade association representing the UK’s regulated medicines parallel import industry. The industry is supported by the principle of the free movement of goods between member states in the European Economic Area (EEA), and latterly from the EEA to the UK. BAEPD’s members operate under the regulation of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and members constitute the majority of parallel import operational activity and sales in the UK market. BAEPD is also an active member of Affordable Medicines Europe(AME).

‍

The Opportunity

‍

The Chief Executive will lead BAEPD’s relationships with governments, policy makers, the media, the wider industry, and other key stakeholders, to project a clear and persuasive voice demonstrating the relevance and importance of the UK’s regulated medicines parallel import industry.

‍

Main Responsibilities

‍

• Develop and implement a proactive, comprehensive and effective public affairs strategy that will support the policy and regulatory agendas affecting BAEPD members.
• Safeguard the continued availability and free movement of medicines and medical devices from the EEA into the UK, counteracting any attempts to restrict these freedoms.
• Proactively liaise and lobby with DHSC and MHRA officials to ensure policy and regulation remain supportive of parallel imported medicines (via in-person meetings, video calls and written communications).
• Represent BAEPD and UK interests within AME, including participation on the board, working groups and general assemblies.
• Manage external communications: responses to consultations, letters to politicians and officials, conference presentations as invited, and oversight of BAEPD’s public website content and approved promotional activity.
• Maintain an awareness and understanding of legal challenges encountered by members and support members and the Association’s retained legal expert.
• Oversee BAEPD’s business operations, administration and finance, including budgeting/financial reporting and member fee communications/collection; prepare minutes and maintain member records/resources.

‍

‍

Skills and experience

‍

• A track record of successfully influencing policy development with government departments.
• An energetic and polished networker who can engage politicians and their department heads through developing new and effective relationships.
• Authority and confidence to represent BAEPD externally at the highest levels of government and with media
• Experience of regulated sectors or knowledge of medicines quality and regulatory requirements with the confidence to engage on policy with DHSC and the wider UK healthcare landscape.
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills, able to operate effectively in multi-organisation and multi-national settings with diplomacy and persuasion.
• Proven ability to negotiate and build consensus across diverse stakeholder interests, including other membership organisations.
• Senior leadership experience, including budgeting, forecasting and stewardship of resources; strong judgement when analysing complex issues and identifying solutions.
• This important association leadership role is an opportunity to become the voice of businesses that are a crucial enabler of UK medicine supply chains. 

‍

‍

To Apply

‍

Please submit your CV via the form below. For more information, please contact Barry Hartness. Please click here to view the job description.  

‍

Ellwood Atfield is the leading headhunter for communications, advocacy, and policy. An employee-owned boutique search firm, we help you hire the most senior leaders and everyone who reports to them. We promise to connect talented people, smoothly and efficiently.

‍

Our purpose is to create important and enduring relationships. We are an equal opportunities employer and promote diversity across our profession to ensure every individual has the opportunity to perform at their best. If you have not done so already, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.

‍