Director of Communications

About the role

The R&D Communications Director will support Global Corporate Affairs to help tell the R&D story externally, showcasing the great science and outstanding people in AstraZeneca’s teams. This role aims to position AstraZeneca as the best science-led organization in the industry and the partner and employer of choice.

Responsibilities

• Development and delivery of an integrated external communications plans to strengthen AstraZeneca’s reputation as a scientific leader in science and technology platforms, across external stakeholders & channels
• Provide communications support and coaching to Expert Function Leaders, like Discovery Sciences and Clinical operations with regard to communicating scientific messages and external communications generally e.g. social
• Serves as counsellor and support for executive communications/external engagements for R&D leaders. Includes supporting key activities such as media interviews and speaking engagements
• Showcase and amplify scientific publications relating to R&D science and tech, and highlight and support scientists across our digital platforms
• Ability to identify proactive comms opportunities and devise tactics that showcase R&D and are aligned with the overall strategy
• Support PR execution for partnering activities related to R&D science and tech, including development of press releases, statements, Q&As. Prepare for potential issues
• Closely partner with AZ Global Media and digital communications teams on relevant communications activities and identify opportunities for engagement and collaboration
• Support the markets to effectively communicate about AstraZeneca’s scientific programmes and What Science Can Do
• Establish measures of success and implement relevant evaluation tools for all communications activities

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience
• Bachelor's Degree in Science related field
• Experience in R&D within a pharmaceutical company
• Ability to work on multiple things at once
• Established track record of delivering impactful, content rich communications programmes across multiple channels and stakeholders with demonstrable measures of success
• Understanding and experience of creating scientific / technical content, ideally in biopharmaceutical context
• Experience of working with the media
• Experience of working with regional and market communicators to support excellent local delivery
• Exemplary native English-level written and verbal communications skills
• Teamwork with high level of personal accountability

Desirable

• Entrepreneurial approach and desire to challenge the status quo
• Confidence around senior leaders and comfortable delivering alternative viewpoints
• Strong channel management, digital skills and knowledge of technology options
• Able to develop and maintain networks across business and cultural boundaries
• Able to undertake global travel will be required, primarily between other AstraZeneca Strategic Science Centres