US Scientific Communications Senior Director

AstraZeneca•Wilmington, DE

20h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director, US Scientific Communications sets the strategic agenda for the US medical communications function and is accountable for building and evolving a high-performing team that defines the overall US medical content development strategy. The role improves the quality, reach, and impact of scientific communications deliverables and delivers license-to-operate work, including Medical Information activities and US Promotional review. Reporting to the Head of US Medical Excellence, the Senior Director partners with US Medical Excellence, US Medical Affairs, US Commercial Brand and Therapy Area teams, Global Scientific Communications, Promotional Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Compliance, Global Business Services, enterprise digital teams, and external agencies and platform partners. The role sets the long-term vision and transformation agenda for US Scientific Communications; directs American medical content strategy; improves global-to-local content processes; and evolves the operating model for Medical Information and promotional review. It establishes standards, metrics, and feedback loops to improve content quality, speed, accessibility, discoverability, compliance, and impact. The Senior Director also champions innovation, including agentic AI and automation, and develops a modern operating model that integrates license-to-operate responsibilities with scalable content strategy and continuous improvement. The position aligns scientific communications priorities with medical plans, brand needs, key achievements, and business objectives; partners with Global Scientific Communications to improve content pull-through and incorporate US insights into global planning; and coordinates GBS and in-house delivery teams. It manages resources for launches, data readouts, congresses, and other business moments; oversees budgets and vendor investments; and builds, mentors, and develops the SciComms team.

Requirements

Advanced degree in a scientific discipline or applicable health sciences field, such as PharmD, PhD, or MD.
At least 8 years of pharmaceutical or scientific communications experience, including enterprise leadership.
Proven leadership or management experience in Medical Information, content development, promotional review, Medical Affairs teams, or an equivalent area.
Proven experience in drug information and Medical Communications, with knowledge of applicable regulations.
Experience developing new services and programs.
Solid understanding and application of good practices in medical enquiry management and medical content writing.
Strong cross-functional skills and demonstrated experience collaborating with other departments or groups.
Well-developed project management skills and demonstrated ability to manage projects, teams, suppliers, and budgets.
Highly developed communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Experience in performance development of team members.
Experience in strategic planning processes.
Results-driven approach and customer service orientation.
Understanding of business needs and the strategic impact of services on end users.
Patient-care experience and a patient-centric mindset.

Nice To Haves

Digital communications and services experience, including experience with modular content authoring platforms.
Experience partnering with Scientific Communications leadership to operationalize franchise narratives and communication plan deliverables.

Responsibilities

Set the long-term vision, priorities, and transformation agenda for US Scientific Communications.
Define and direct the US medical content strategy and improve global-to-local content prioritization, reuse, governance, and delivery.
Evolve the operating model for Medical Information and promotional review to improve efficiency, quality, and collaborator experience while maintaining regulatory compliance.
Establish content standards, metrics, and feedback loops to improve quality, speed, accessibility, discoverability, compliance, and measurable impact.
Champion innovation, including agentic AI and automation, to modernize content creation, review, delivery, and workflow design.
Align Scientific Communications priorities with US Medical, Therapy Area, and Commercial leaders, medical plans, brand needs, and business objectives.
Partner with Global Scientific Communications to improve content pull-through and incorporate US insights, market needs, customer trends, and performance metrics into global planning.
Coordinate GBS and in-house delivery teams, including service build, sourcing, demand management, quality oversight, and resolution of blocking issues.
Plan and manage resources for therapy-area priorities, launches, data readouts, congresses, and other critical business moments.
Lead budget planning and oversee agency, third-party, and vendor investments, ensuring spending is strategically allocated and tied to measurable value.
Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing Scientific Communications team and advance its content strategy, innovation, operational excellence, and enterprise partnership capabilities.
Serve as an enterprise partner, bringing Scientific Communications expertise, innovation, and best practices to broader US business priorities.