Public Affairs & Communications Intern (12-months)

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated, curious and well organised individual with a strong interest in public affairs, communications, and health policy. The successful candidate will play a supportive role across the Public Affairs and Communications (PACO) team to enable the team members to deliver business priorities. About us Chiesi is an international research-focused biopharmaceutical group with 90 years’ experience, operating in more than 30 countries, with its Headquarter in Parma, Italy. More than 8,000 employees across the group are united by a singular purpose: promoting a healthier world for our people, patients, and the planet. This is what drives us as we research, develop, and market innovative drugs across our main therapeutic areas. Discover more here. At Chiesi we are thinking generations ahead, driving sustainable innovation with purpose. This fosters a culture of reliability, transparency, and ethical behaviour at every level. As a Benefit Corporation and a certified B Corp, we have embedded sustainability in our bylaws and continuously measure our impact. Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of who we are. We believe our differences make us stronger. We are a vibrant ecosystem of passionate, talented individuals united by strong values, each bringing unique perspectives that help us to continuously challenge the status quo for the better. Chiesi UK At Chiesi it is our people who are at the heart of what we do and achieve. A proud family business we are a Top Employer and a Great Place to Work in the UK. Chiesi UK is the number one affiliate of the Chiesi Group and works on important therapy areas, such as neonatology, organ transplantation and rare diseases, alongside our treatments for respiratory conditions. We are proud to be a B Corp™ company, committed to using business as a force for good and always pursuing high social and environmental standards, to ensure the best outcomes for our people, patients and communities. We provide an excellent benefits package, including: • competitive salary • annual performance related bonus • 25 days leave plus 2 additional paid well-being days • group personal pension scheme with flexible contributions • private medical insurance • private dental insurance • group life assurance • employee assistance programme • salary sacrifice and employee discount schemes • annual high-performance incentive awards • enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption policies • paid carers leave • professional development opportunities • flexible smart working policy • 2 dedicated volunteering days per year If you’ll be joining us at our Head Office near Manchester Airport, you'll enjoy great public transport links, free parking and free charging (for Electric Vehicles). We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and will provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process where required. About PACO PACO brings together Public Affairs, External Communications, Internal Communications, Shared Value and Sustainability, NHS Engagement as well as cross-functional working with other teams across the business. The team works in an interconnected way: public affairs helps shape the healthcare policy environment in which we operate, working closely with policy makers to help improve outcomes for patients. Our NHS Engagement team translate policy and deliver partnership projects to support the NHS and patients. Our communications team are key to amplifying our messages and help colleagues and external stakeholders understand our priorities. Our Shared Value and Sustainability (SV&S) team ensure we consider our wider impact on people, patients and the planet in everything we do. As an intern, you would see how these areas connect and how a corporate affairs function such as Chiesi’s PACO supports a UK biopharmaceutical business. Who we are looking for We are seeking a motivated, curious and well-organised individual with an interest in healthcare, communications, sustainability, policy or the NHS. You do not need to have worked in a pharmaceutical company before or have any first hand experience of the functions described above. We are looking for someone who is well organised, curious, enthusiastic about learning, comfortable asking questions, a good communicator (spoken and written) and willing to support a wide range of team activities. Purpose of the role • Provide administrative, coordination and project support across PACO. The role will include day-to-day team support, such as meeting coordination, document management, data tracking, finance or procurement administration and preparation of materials (full training will be provided) . • Contribute to communications and engagement projects, depending on business priorities and the intern’s development interests. • Support the PACO Director and team members in delivering team objectives, while helping to identify simple improvements in how the team works, aligned to our Human Leadership Model traits: drive, innovate, share and care. Projects you may be involved in • Curiosity, an open mind and enthusiasm for trying new things. • Good organisational skills and attention to detail. • Good written and spoken communication skills. • Confidence to ask questions, share ideas and speak up appropriately. • Ability to manage more than one task at a time • An interest in healthcare, communications, sustainability, policy or public affairs, shown through education, experience or personal interest. • Basic proficiency in Microsoft 365 tools, with a willingness to keep learning. You will need to have • Curiosity, an open mind and enthusiasm for trying new things. • Good organisational skills and attention to detail. • Good written and spoken communication skills. • Confidence to ask questions, share ideas and speak up appropriately. • Ability to manage more than one task at a time • An interest in healthcare, communications, sustainability, policy or public affairs, shown through education, experience or personal interest. • Basic proficiency in Microsoft 365 tools, with a willingness to keep learning. Learning objectives • Build knowledge of the UK NHS and healthcare policy environment • Understand how PACO functions work together and add value in a pharmaceutical organisation. • Develop organisational, prioritisation and professional communication skills in a fast-paced hybrid team. • Gain experience of preparing briefings, updates, documents and project materials to a high standard. • Build confidence in supporting senior leaders, coordinating activity and contributing proactively to team priorities. Development outcomes • Confidence in managing administrative processes and coordinating team activity. • Improved ability to turn curiosity into useful research, ideas and practical support. • Stronger understanding of communications, public affairs, sustainability and NHS collaboration work. • A practical foundation for future roles in public affairs, communications, sustainability, health policy or healthcare business support. Location Head Office - 333 Styal Road, Manchester, M22 5LG If this sounds like the next step in your journey, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your application before the closing date of 22 September 2026.