US Scientific Communications Senior Director

AstraZeneca • Wilmington, DE

1d • $197,390 - $296,086 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director, US Scientific Communications sets the strategic agenda for the US medical communications function and builds and evolves a high-performing team responsible for defining the overall US medical content development strategy. The role improves the quality, reach, and impact of scientific communications deliverables and oversees license-to-operate work, including Medical Information activities and US promotional review.

The position reports to the Head of US Medical Excellence. It partners with the US Medical Excellence team, US Medical Affairs, US Commercial Brand and Therapy Areas teams, Global Scientific Communications, Promotional Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Compliance, Global Business Services (GBS), enterprise digital teams, and external agencies or platform partners.

The role establishes the long-term vision and transformation agenda for US Scientific Communications, directs American medical content strategy, and advances global-to-local content processes. It leads the operating model for Medical Information and promotional review, sets standards and metrics for content performance, and champions innovation including agentic AI and automation. It also coordinates enterprise collaboration, resource and milestone readiness, budgets and vendors, and the development of team capabilities.

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 of Medical Information, content development, promotional review, Medical Affairs teams, or equivalent.
• Proven experience in drug information and Medical Communications, with knowledge of applicable regulations.
• Experience developing new services and programmes.
• 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, and resources, including suppliers and budgets.
• Highly developed communication, organisational, 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 operationalise franchise narratives and communication plan deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Set the long-term vision, priorities, and transformation agenda for US Scientific Communications, ensuring strategic impact and measurable value across US BBU.
• Define and direct the American medical content strategy and improve global-to-local processes for prioritizing, reusing, governing, and delivering scientific content.
• Evolve the operating model for Medical Information and promotional review to improve efficiency, quality, and collaborator experience while maintaining regulatory compliance.
• Establish standards, critical metrics, and feedback loops to improve content quality, speed, accessibility, discoverability, compliance, and measurable impact.
• Champion future-ready approaches, including agentic AI and automation, to modernize content creation, review, delivery, and workflows.
• Build and evolve a modern SciComms operating model integrating license-to-operate responsibilities, scalable content strategy, agile working, and continuous improvement.
• Align SciComms priorities with Medical Plans, brand needs, key achievements, and business objectives by collaborating with US Medical, Therapy Area, and Commercial leaders.
• Partner with Global Scientific Communications to improve content pull-through and ensure US insights, market needs, customer trends, and performance metrics inform global planning.
• Bring SciComms expertise, innovation, and best practices to broader US business priorities as an enterprise partner.
• Coordinate GBS and in-house delivery teams, ensuring clear service build, sourcing, demand management, quality oversight, and resolution of blocking issues.
• Plan and manage resources to support Therapy Area priorities and readiness for launches, data readouts, congresses, and other critical business moments.
• Lead budget planning and oversee agency, third-party, and vendor investments, allocating spend strategically and tying it to measurable value.
• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing SciComms team and advance capabilities in content strategy, innovation, operational excellence, and enterprise partnership.

Benefits

• Short-term incentive bonus opportunity.
• Eligibility to participate in an equity-based long-term incentive program.
• Qualified retirement program, including a 401(k) plan.
• Paid vacation and holidays.
• Paid leaves.
• Health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree