Sr Government & Public Affairs Manager

Public Affairs & Government Relations Lead

Shape the future of healthcare policy in New Zealand. In this high-impact role, you will be Novo Nordisk's voice in the public policy environment — building trusted relationships with policymakers and stakeholders to advance better outcomes for people living with serious chronic diseases. If you thrive on operating where strategy, policy and purpose intersect, this is your opportunity to make a national difference.

Your new role

As our Public Affairs & Government Relations Lead for New Zealand, you will own the national public affairs agenda, serving as the primary interface between Novo Nordisk and the wider health policy environment. You will operate with significant autonomy, acting as a trusted adviser to the New Zealand Leadership Team while ensuring alignment with Oceania, International Operations and Global Corporate Affairs priorities.

Day-to-day your responsibilities will include:

- Developing and executing the New Zealand public affairs and government engagement strategy, and providing strategic policy advice to the Leadership Team

- Leading senior-level engagement with policymakers, public sector stakeholders and system leaders, positioning Novo Nordisk as a credible and constructive policy partner

- Leading policy advocacy activities including submissions, consultation responses and position papers in health policy discussions

- Identifying, assessing and managing public affairs issues and reputational risks, and implementing proactive issues management plans

- Building and maintaining strong relationships with industry bodies, patient organisations, NGOs and think tanks

- Influencing and aligning cross-functional teams across Market Access, Medical, Commercial, Legal and Compliance to ensure coherent external engagement

- Ensuring all activities comply with Novo Nordisk policies, local legislation and industry codes, and acting as a role model for our values and ethical standards

Your new department

Based in Auckland and reporting to the General Manager, New Zealand, with a dotted line to the MAPA Director, Oceania, you will be a senior individual contributor with national responsibility. This role plays a critical part in protecting and enhancing Novo Nordisk's reputation, licence to operate and long-term disease leadership in New Zealand — working closely with regional and global colleagues to amplify impact.

Your skills & qualifications

We are looking for a strategic, politically astute professional who can navigate complex stakeholder environments with confidence and credibility. You will bring with you:

- 5+ years' experience in public affairs, public policy, stakeholder engagement or advisory roles

- A strong understanding of the New Zealand health system, policy environment and decision-making landscape

- Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and decision-makers without formal authority

- Demonstrated ability to operate independently in complex and ambiguous environments

- A tertiary qualification in public policy, political science, law, economics or a related discipline (desirable), along with experience in FMCG, healthcare or other regulated industries and matrixed, multinational organisations (desirable)

- You are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident

Working at Novo Nordisk 

Every day we seek the solutions that defeat serious chronic diseases. To do this, we approach our work with determination, constant curiosity and a commitment to finding better ways forward. For over 100 years, this dedication has driven us to build a company focused on lasting change for long-term health. One where diverse thinking, shared purpose and mutual respect come together to create extraordinary results. When you join us, you're not just starting a job – you're becoming part of a story that spans generations.

What we offer

There is, of course, more on offer here than the uniqueness of our culture and the extraordinary results we produce. Being part of a global healthcare company means opportunities to learn and develop are all around us, while our benefits are designed with your career and life stage in mind.

Applications are reviewed regularly, we encourage you to apply now.

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and preventing diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.