Director R&D & Early Pipeline Communications
About The Position
At AstraZeneca (AZ), science compels us to push the boundaries of what is possible to turn science into life-changing medicines for patients who need them most. We have three therapy-focused R&D organisations who lead all our work, from discovery through to late-stage development: Oncology R&D is focused on cancer; BioPharmaceuticals R&D on Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), Respiratory and Immunology, and Infectious Diseases; Rare Disease focused on rare diseases across multiple therapy areas. Our R&D groups are unified in their approach, and united in their purpose working both independently and together, with shared functions specialising in key scientific capabilities from medicinal chemistry to biometrics, patient safety to data science and artificial intelligence (AI), and clinical innovation to device technology. All of this helps us accelerate discovery and development in our efforts to bring new medicines to patients.
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree in a scientific field
- Minimum 8 years of experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry
- 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 around early pipeline assets
- Experience working with the media
- Experience of working with regional and market communicators to support excellent local delivery
- Exemplary written and verbal communications skills in English
- Team worker with high level of personal accountability
- Ability to undertake global travel, primarily between other AstraZeneca Strategic Science Centres
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree in a scientific field
- 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
Responsibilities
- Development and delivery of an integrated external communications plans to strengthen AstraZeneca’s reputation as a scientific leader in science, Disease Areas 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
- Develop and deliver global communications plans from Phase IIb through launch, including milestones, data readouts, regulatory events, congress presence, partnerships and competitive responses.
- Build compelling disease and asset narratives with clear messages and proof points; produce press releases, Q&As and materials for global and local use.
- 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
- Build relationships and co-create programs with patient groups to inform strategy and drive shared agendas.
- Support the markets to effectively communicate about AstraZeneca’s scientific programmes and Disease Areas
- 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.
- Collaborate with global/regional media and country teams; support investor communications with Investor Relations; engage external experts and investigators.
- Lead issues preparedness and crisis management, including scenario planning, training, tracking and alignment across markets.
- Establish measures of success and implement relevant evaluation tools for all communications activities
Benefits
- qualified retirement programs
- paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves)
- health, dental, and vision coverage
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
