Senior Director, Boston Corporate Affairs and Communications

AstraZeneca•Boston, MA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Director, Boston Communications will define and drive activities that enhance our reputation in Boston and strengthen relationships with those within this thriving ecosystem, in the US and globally. You will become a key representative of AZ in the community and utilize this role and relationships to guide the development and execution of a robust programme of activities, aligning broader corporate affairs activities, to support the company’s strategy and maximises the impact of AstraZeneca in Boston; bringing together diverse stakeholder needs to optimize and amplify our voice. You will be a key member of the R&D Communications teams, working closely with internal stakeholders across Global Corporate Affairs (GCA) and the broader organisation to build the reputation of AZ in Boston and showcase our most exciting science and benefit to the ecosystem and beyond. Positioning AstraZeneca as the best science-led organisation in the industry, a business leader investing for the future and the partner of choice.

Requirements

Established track record of delivering impactful, integrated corporate affairs strategies and plans in support of business priorities across multiple channels and stakeholders with demonstrable measures of success
Has a track record of creating and developing networks, with an entrepreneurial approach and desire to challenge the status quo
Understands the US Life-sciences and / or Boston ecosystem, and can adeptly navigate and understand the challenges and opportunities they present
Broad, multi-channel communication experience including media, events, digital, change and crisis communications
Working knowledge of the US political and media environment.
Experience of managing different internal and external stakeholder relationships.
Confident around senior leaders.
Comfortable delivering contrary viewpoint when necessary
Strong issues management capability across corporate affairs disciplines.
Sound judgment; strong reputational 'radar'
High level of integrity, able to handle highly confidential/sensitive information
Track-record of team and programme leadership, with exceptional influencing and relationship building skills
Team worker with high levels of motivation and personal accountability, bringing enthusiasm & energy to the team
Excellent eye for detail and upholding visual and verbal identity
Able to develop and maintain relationships across business and cultural boundaries

Responsibilities

Act as a key representative of AstraZeneca within Boston, aligning contributing and also learning from others in the wider ecosystem, and translating these insights into activities
Leads the development and delivery of an integrated corporate affairs strategy and plan that showcases AstraZeneca’s leadership and positive impact to enhance reputation and collaborations in Boston, including internal, external and policy / Government affairs activities. Aligning activities with internal stakeholders to maximise the broader impact within the US and globally.
Reinforces and leads the company's approach to external / strategic stakeholder engagement in Boston and serves as an effective ambassador in the community.
Ensures Boston milestones, events and external news flow are maximised/effectively managed to achieve Boston objectives.
Identifies and mobilises input and output from key groups inc media relations, government affairs, community relations, R&D, digital/social media, internal communications and recruitment marketing, to deliver reputation enhancing communications programmes and events
Works as part of a matrix and community of practice, sharing learnings, best practice and knowledge
Anticipates and manages reputational issues in addition to playing a corporate affairs leadership role in business continuity/incident management if required.
Leverages positive impact of AZ STEM activities locally (as appropriate)
Aligns activities with other Boston community support programmes (managed in Ops BAU) which focuses predominantly on science education in the community
Provides coaching and counsel on corporate affairs topics to internal stakeholders including the senior leaders on the Boston Leadership Team
Establishes measures of success and implements relevant evaluation tools.
Ensures external environment is monitored to identify local and national communication opportunities and risks.