Defense Affairs Leader

Come and Save Lives with Us!

SERB is a fast-growing specialty pharmaceutical company that equips healthcare providers worldwide with life-saving medicines for patients facing rare conditions and emergencies.

For over 30 years we have consistently provided emergency medicines, medical countermeasures, and the world’s leading portfolio of antidotes.

Today SERB has over 500 employees in 18 countries and group revenue in excess of €400m. With a strong presence in the US, Europe, and the Middle East, along with a global network of trusted distribution partners, we make a broad range of essential medicines available in over 100 countries.

Having the right culture is as important to us as having the right portfolio. We are guided by our four values:

• We make patients our priority
• We act with accountability and integrity
• We work together as one team        
• We look for better ways forward      

By expanding our reach through selective acquisitions and entering new markets, we’re not just supplying medicine; we’re improving the standard of care for more patients around the world.

The Defense Affairs Leader is responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with the Department of Defense (DoD), while seeking opportunities to support the services (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps) programs, particularly those related to medical countermeasures (MCMs). This position plays a key role in developing and implementing strategies to advance the company's objectives within the DoD, ensuring consistent communication with company leadership, medical affairs, and government affairs teams. The role focuses on delivering lifesaving MCMs and includes significant experience with defense product development, procurement, and funding processes, including the annual appropriations process and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Defense Affairs Leader also contributes to organizational goals by providing leadership within cross-functional teams.

As Defense Affairs Leader, your responsibilities will include: 

• Leads Defense Relations: Facilitates discussions from early-stage development through contracting, procurement, and life cycle management of medical countermeasures (MCMs).
• Collaborates Across Teams: Works with product teams, quality, legal, contracting operations, and other cross-functional teams on negotiations and the development of multi-year contracts with the Department of Defense (DoD) and U.S. Government (USG) for MCM supply.
• Relationship Management: Builds and maintains strong relationships with DoD decision-makers and program/product managers, ensuring alignment with company leadership and cross-functional teams regarding expectations, challenges, and delivery timelines.
• Funding Opportunities: Identifies and promotes potential funding opportunities within the armed services and works with leadership to ensure alignment in early-stage discussions.
• Direct Engagement: Engages directly with customers to maintain access to critical, close-hold information and remain informed on the timing of major DoD/USG efforts both domestically and abroad.
• Awareness Building: Works with the medical affairs and communications teams to utilize DoD and USG communications channels for generating awareness of company offerings and fostering new relationships with federal decision-makers and industry allies.
• Industry Representation: Represents the company at industry events, conferences, and other forums to maintain a presence within the defense and healthcare sectors.
• Ongoing Communication: Maintains consistent and effective communication with company leadership and government affairs to align on priorities, including funding opportunities.

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list, and you may be required to undertake any other reasonable duties compatible with your experience and competencies. This description may be varied from time to time to reflect changing business requirements. 

To be successful in this role, you should demonstrate: 

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Experience: A minimum of 15 years of experience in defense procurement and acquisition, including work with the Department of the Air Force, Navy, and the Department of the Army.
• Proven Success in Defense Affairs: In-depth knowledge of DoD procedures, the defense development process, and the appropriations process.
• Military Requirements Understanding: Familiarity with military requirements and experience working with relevant DoD contracting officers and product managers.
• Analytical Abilities: Excellent comprehension and analytical skills.
• Organizational Efficiency: Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage competing projects effectively.
• Attention to Detail: High attention to detail with the ability to manage numerous work streams simultaneously.
• Problem Solving: Strong problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to make sound decisions amidst frequent interruptions.
• Mental Demands: The ability to organize and coordinate tasks, comprehend and follow instructions, problem-solve effectively, and make decisions using sound judgment in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.
• Physical Demands: Ability to use a computer, keyboard, phone, and perform visual tasks.
• Environmental Characteristics: Primarily a remote position (MDW-preferred).
• Travel: Some occasional travel may be required

Company Benefits

• Hybrid Working
• Vacation, Personal and Sick time
• 15 Paid Company Holidays
• Medical, Dental, Vision and other Voluntary benefits
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Assistance
• Discretionary Bonus Plan
• Competitive 401(k), $1 for $1 up to 6% of pay. The safe harbour match is vested immediately. In addition, SERB also offers a discretionary match of up to 4% of pay which vests 20% a year for 5 years.

Serb Pharmaceuticals is an equal opportunity employer. We offer competitive compensation & benefit packages, challenging opportunities and a culture of working together in a supportive way built on our strong foundation of values.