Director, Sustainability Reporting & Communications

AstraZeneca•Gaithersburg, MD

About The Position

AstraZeneca is seeking a Director, Sustainability Reporting & Communications to strengthen local statutory and voluntary sustainability disclosures across its global footprint. The role supports the development and implementation of the company’s approach to local sustainability reporting, providing subject matter expertise, practical direction and coordination for subsidiaries and local Finance teams. The position helps ensure disclosures are controlled, consistent, compliant and aligned with Group sustainability reporting standards, governance, data, controls and external disclosures. The Director will establish an operating model for local reporting, interpret emerging requirements, create guidance and reporting resources, and coordinate disclosure review and approval across relevant Group and local functions. The role also oversees reporting documentation and audit-readiness, supports complex reporting matters, and drives simplification, automation, knowledge sharing and capability building across markets. The position works closely with teams across Sustainability Reporting, Finance, Legal, Corporate Affairs, Internal Controls and Governance, among others, and may engage with assurance providers, advisors, regulators and technology partners.

Requirements

Graduate degree or equivalent experience in sustainability, finance, accounting, business, law, environmental management, economics or a related field.
At least five years of experience in sustainability, finance, ESG, audit, risk, controls or a related discipline in a complex global organisation.
Strong knowledge of sustainability reporting regulations, standards and frameworks, and ability to translate requirements into practical processes.
Experience leading cross-functional, multi-market projects with senior stakeholders, local teams and external advisors.
Strong understanding of governance, controls, documentation, assurance readiness and disclosure review processes.
Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including advising senior leaders and supporting teams through ambiguity and change.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to turn complex technical matters into clear guidance and decision-ready recommendations.
Strong programme management skills, including prioritisation, timeline management, management of multiple workstreams and high-quality delivery under reporting deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Experience with CSRD/ESRS, IFRS S1/S2, TCFD, EU Taxonomy, BRSR, AASB S2 or similar national sustainability reporting requirements.
Experience with Group Reporting, Company Secretariat, Legal, Corporate Affairs, Internal Controls or external assurance providers.
Experience in pharmaceuticals, healthcare or another highly regulated sector.
Experience building reporting processes, operating models, SOPs, RACIs, controls and capability programmes across jurisdictions.
Familiarity with reporting systems, data platforms, workflow tools or disclosure management tools such as Workiva.
Familiarity with XBRL, digital tagging or structured data for sustainability, financial or corporate reporting.
Understanding of how AI, automation or analytics can improve reporting processes, data quality, review workflows and insight generation.
Fluency or strong working proficiency in multiple languages, such as Chinese, Spanish or other languages relevant to in-scope jurisdictions.

Responsibilities

Design and establish the operating model for local sustainability reporting, including roles, governance, review points and escalation paths for statutory and voluntary disclosures.
Monitor and interpret emerging sustainability reporting requirements for subsidiaries, including IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards, CSRD-related requirements, AASB S2, BRSR and other local frameworks.
Provide subject matter expertise and practical guidance to subsidiaries and Group teams on local sustainability reporting regulations and disclosures, and design reports and processes to support compliance in jurisdictions.
Develop a hub for sharing local sustainability data and best practices on voluntary disclosures, and provide communications expertise to help local teams meet goals while maintaining Group and local compliance and reputation.
Develop and maintain SOPs, templates, guidance, timelines, controls and documentation standards for subsidiary sustainability reporting.
Ensure local disclosures align with Group sustainability reporting, commitments, narratives, materiality, data definitions, methodologies and reporting policies.
Coordinate with Group Financial Reporting, Sustainability Reporting, Internal Controls, Corporate Affairs, Legal and other teams to support disclosure review and approval.
Engage in-scope markets to assess reporting requirements, thresholds, data and narrative needs, and opportunities to use Group reporting or exemptions.
Oversee the quality, consistency, completeness and audit-readiness of reporting documentation, including evidence, approvals and control performance.
Drive continuous improvement through simplification, automation, knowledge sharing, capability building and adoption of good practice across markets.
Act as a subject matter expert and escalation support for complex reporting matters, balancing local compliance with Group consistency, risk and stakeholder expectations.