This Senior Director Communications role will be key to supporting AstraZeneca's portfolio in Respiratory & Immunology.
Respiratory & Immunology is one of AstraZeneca's main therapy areas and is a key growth driver for the Company. In Respiratory medicine, AstraZeneca is a scientific leader with the bold ambition to move from pure symptom control, to disease modification, remission and one day, cure. Building on a 50-year heritage, the Company aims to transform the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by driving earlier biology-led treatment, eliminating preventable asthma attacks, and removing COPD as a top-three leading cause of death.
The role is responsible for the development and execution of innovative global communications strategies to support medicines in our portfolio and to support transformations in care in disease areas where we focus. He/she/they will understand the communications and campaign requirements for reaching a wide range of key audiences including patients, healthcare professionals, the financial community (investors, analysts), media, employees, partners, academics and researchers, patient advocacy groups and policymakers.
The Communications Senior Director will be a key partner for the cross-functional global franchise teams and global product teams responsible for the clinical development and commercialisation of the relevant inhaled or biologic medicines, working closely with policy functional leads, key markets and a broad mix of internal stakeholders across the Respiratory & Immunology Global Franchise, Global Corporate Affairs, Global Medical Affairs, Investor Relations and research units.
Candidate Focus
Accountable for development of global communications strategy, planning, execution and delivery for agreed portfolio from pipeline/medicines across external, collaboration and internal stakeholders and channels.
Deliver effective communications for milestones/news flow to maximise opportunities and mitigate issues. Includes data readouts/publications, regulatory milestones, investment decisions, presence at medical congresses, partnering activity and competitor activity. Scope of responsibility begins from Phase IIb development. Includes development of global corporate press releases, Q&As and other relevant materials for milestone/disclosures at global and in-country levels. Also includes any needed preparations/trainings for designated spokespeople.
Lead the development and delivery of communications and patient advocacy group strategies to support transformations in care in disease areas where we focus. Programmes are developed and delivered through cross-functional teams at global, regional and country levels and likely require co-creation/integration with commercial, medical, policy, access, research and other functional programmes and often involve close working with third party organization including patient advocacy groups and scientific societies. Areas for communications/campaign focus may include but are not limited to: disease area burden and unmet needs, emerging science of diseases/AstraZeneca's assets/scientific platforms, treatment paradigms, opportunities to improve clinical care, opportunities to improve healthcare system/government policies, access to care and patient activation.
Develop and continually refresh a compelling narrative for agreed areas of portfolio in close collaboration with colleagues, with clear messages and sharp proof points to build awareness and confidence among key stakeholder groups.
Collaborate with global and regional media relations and country communications contacts to develop and deliver media relations that achieve desired media objectives. Collaborate with Investor Relations and Global Media Relations to deliver effective communications in support of AstraZeneca's existing and potential investor community and their influencers.
Lead the development, deployment of communications for designated portfolio through AstraZeneca's corporate external digital/social channels, working with channels owners/functional experts. Maximise opportunities throughout the broader, relevant digital ecosystems using both paid-for/organic opportunities.
Lead internal communications strategy and implementation for designated portfolio to drive understanding of and engagement with relevant strategies, programmes and organisational development/change when required. Includes ensuring best practice use of relevant internal communications channels and serving as a business partner for relevant leaders as well as collaborating with functional colleagues such as Global Internal Communications.
Engage and establish strong relationships with external stakeholders, such as medical experts and investigators.
Play a key role in patient advocacy group relations, building strong relationships and support activities that may include ensuring patient advocacy voices/insights inform AstraZeneca work and building programmes where AstraZeneca and patient advocacy groups have shared agendas.
Lead issues preparedness and crisis management to protect brand and company reputation. Identify issues and develop mitigation plans, including scenario planning, appropriate training for key internal stakeholders and issues tracking. Ensure timely communications and alignment on emerging issues across key internal stakeholder groups, including in markets.
Ensure effective use of internal and external resources, including smart deployment of agency support, and management of contractors, through clear objectives, KPIs, continued strive for excellence and innovation.
Effective management of programme delivery and outcomes, ensuring strong project management and best practice measurement approaches.
Candidate Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Bachelor's Degree with 10-15 years of experience in related field with working knowledge of global Pharmaceutical market and innovative life sciences environment.
Established track-record of delivering impactful, strategic and content-rich communications programmes and proactive stakeholder management with demonstrable measures of success.
Substantial experience of healthcare communications gained in-house at a leading multinational biopharma company or at a global agency, backed up by deep understanding of regulatory environment, compliance framework and perspectives of key external stakeholders such as physicians, payers and patients.
Expert communications and writing skills.
Significant experience of leading issues management in a similar environment/for global brands/disease areas.
Strong media relations experience.
Strong patient advocacy group relationship building experience.
Strong digital capability including track record for leveraging organic and paid-for opportunities in pharmaceutical company/medical settings.
Strong internal communications capability including understanding of effective channel management, engagement strategies and organisational change communications.
Strong proven leadership skills and collaborative behaviour required to establish ways of working and to drive successful delivery against strategy through a broad mix of internal and external stakeholders.
Proven capability to influence and counsel senior leaders and teams across functions and geographical boundaries.
Ability to provide effective coaching and guidance to peers and other team members.
Ability to work in a global environment including understanding of cultural differences.
Ability to combine strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.
Experience of creating and translating scientific/technical content for a broad range of audiences.
Why AstraZeneca?
At AstraZeneca we're dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and spark your entrepreneurial spirit. There's no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We're on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.
AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.
