Senior Manager Government & Public Affairs

This position is responsible for the full scope of public affairs responsibilities in Spain and Portugal, developing and executing a clear, compelling and high-impact government affairs, advocacy and media relations strategy, aligned with our business goals and priorities.

This includes a dialogue with Members of Parliament, government officials and other key stakeholders within and across the political and healthcare systems of Spain and Portugal. You also develop and implement short and long-term in-country government affairs strategies that support business and public policy-oriented objectives; promote the company’s government affairs and business positions to relevant policymakers and policymaking bodies; provide counsel to key internal audiences; and liaise with external stakeholders.

In addition, your role is developing and executing a strategic media relations program for our business in Spain and Portugal. This includes monitoring media with regards to Intuitive, robotic-assisted surgery, health politics etc., developing key communications and other materials, and engaging with media and other external audiences. The role will finally be responsible for supporting other public affairs activities including but not limited to: thought-leadership opportunities, conference participation and 3rd-party advocacy.

This position will work closely with cross-functional colleagues, including regional and in-country leaders and functions including Sales and Marketing, Clinical Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, Global Access Value Economics (GAVE), Training, and Legal. And this role will work closely with Global Public Affairs colleagues within and across Europe and the US.

Roles and Responsibilities:

This position will support the advancement of Intuitive in Spain and Portugal, which includes the following responsibilities:

Government Affairs

• Be the corporate expert for Spanish and Portuguese political systems with experience in political party and/or campaign work; or significant experience in a similar role.
• Advise senior leadership on key interactions with relevant stakeholders in this field regarding policy development.
• Develop, implement and execute Government & Public Affairs strategies and relevant campaigns, projects and tactics. Manage specialized consultants.
• Contribute to/represent Intuitive at key industry organizations to advance company’s policy and advocacy goals and interests.
• Work across third party organizations (trade associations, surgical societies, advocacy groups) to develop policy champions and allies.
• Ensure organizational clarity, assuring that the department’s activities, messages, and materials support the achievement of broader public affairs, country-specific, and company-wide goals and policy objectives.
• Understand, clearly synthesize, and integrate complex issues in presentations, messaging documents and other communication(s) with key senior level internal and external audiences.
• Attend meetings, events and conferences to represent the company from a Government Affairs perspective.
• Manage external government affairs/public affairs firms to support strategy and activity, as needed.

Media Relations

• Serve as company media contact in Spain and Portugal; triage day-to-day media inquiries and respond accordingly.
• Draft talking points, media statements, press releases and other press materials and manage the internal approval process with internal cross-functional teams.
• Ensure consistency of corporate messaging and positioning in Spain and Portugal, while tailoring responses as appropriate to address cultural and country-specific nuances.
• Work closely with media relations counterparts around the world to proactively share best practices and reactively manage crisis communications, as needed.
• Attend surgical/medical/thought-leadership conferences as required.

• Minimum 8-10 years’ experience in Public Affairs, Media Relations or similar field.
• Must have relevant government, political and/or campaign experience, demonstrated track record of strong advocacy and communications skills.
• Strong preference for healthcare experience, including previous experience working with the relevant governmental decision-making.
• University degree required.
• Fluent in Spanish, good command of Portuguese and English.
• Ability to travel throughout Spain and Portugal, to Europe-based meetings and to Intuitive’s Sunnyvale headquarters, up to 30% of the time.
• Ability to effectively analyze, write and deliver information, and explain, advocate and negotiate positions and issues to a broad spectrum of individuals.
• Excellent organizational skills, especially ability to monitor and manage multiple campaigns and tracks of work in multiple countries simultaneously, while ensuring all are consistent with the company’s overarching goals, approach, and brand.
• Ability to work independently while also working in coordination with – and across – teams in multiple countries.
• Responsive and focused on executing in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in a global corporate environment.
• Willing to contribute to projects that fall outside of core responsibilities, as needed.

This position is based in Madrid.

Intuitive is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer:  In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR §743.13(b)), some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employees
who are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.

Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the government’s licensing process can take 3 to 6+ months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan (“TCP”) (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).  

For any Intuitive role subject to export controls, final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employee’s
start date, which may or may not be flexible, and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable, candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes.