| Job Category : | Management |
| Company Name: | AstraZeneca |
| Position Name: | Associate Director, Science Communications |
| Location : | Gaithersburg, MD 20878 |
| Job Description : | Make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives through the work you do. Play your part in contributing to a business truly dedicated to its purpose and patients. United by a shared connection and commitment, we can see how everything we do adds up to a bigger impact on patients and society. As the Associate Director, Science Communications, you will role be key to supporting AstraZeneca’s high-visibility portfolio in the new Vaccines and Immune Therapies Unit (V&I) , with a focus on science and milestones communications for vaccines and long-acting antibodies. AstraZeneca’s dedicated Vaccines & Immune Therapies Unit brings together all above market COVID-19 therapy area activities, including R&D, commercial, medical, and our global infectious disease teams. The Associate Director, Scientific Communications role is responsible for the development and execution of innovative global communications strategies within the COVID-19 franchise. He/she/they will understand the communications requirements for reaching a wide range of key audiences including employees, partners, medical community, academics and researchers, patients, patient advocacy groups and the media. The Science Communications Associate Director will be a key partner for the Global Brand and Product Teams and the Global Medicine Leads, working closely with the regions, key markets and a broad mix of internal stakeholders across the Vaccines and Immune Therapies Uni (V&I) t, Global Corporate Affairs, Global Medical Affairs, Investor Relations and research units. Candidate Focus Accountable for development of global communications strategy, planning, execution and delivery for agreed portfolio from pipeline/medicines across internal and external stakeholders and channels. Lead the development of integrated communications and patient advocacy group programmes and strategies. Programmes are developed with/serve cross-functional teams at global, regional and country levels. Deliver effective communications for milestones/news flow to maximise opportunities and prepare against issues. Includes data readouts/publications, regulatory designations, investment decisions, presence at congresses, partnering activity, competitor activity, news or changes in policy and regulatory environment. Scope of responsibility includes development of global corporate press releases, Q&As and other relevant materials for milestone/disclosures at global and in-country levels. Also includes any needed preparations/trainings for designated spokespeople. Develop and continually refresh a compelling scientific narrative in close collaboration with their colleagues, with clear messages and sharp proof points to build awareness and confidence among key stakeholder groups. Collaborate with Global Media Relations and country communications contacts to develop and deliver media relations that achieve desired media objectives. Collaborate with Investor Relations and Global Media Relations to deliver effective communications in support of AstraZeneca’s existing and potential investor community and influencers. Develop engaging and impactful communications initiatives/campaigns in support of V&IT objectives including but not limited to: disease area burden and unmet needs, emerging science of diseases/AstraZeneca’s assets/scientific platforms, treatment paradigms, opportunities to improve clinical care, access to care and patient centricity. Lead the development, deployment of communications for designated portfolio through AstraZeneca’s corporate external digital/social channels, working with channels owners/functional experts. Includes maximising opportunities throughout the broader, relevant digital ecosystems and both paid-for/organic opportunities. Lead internal communications strategy and implementation for designated portfolio to drive understanding of and engagement with relevant strategies and programmes. Includes ensuring best practice use of relevant internal communications channels and serving as a business partner for relevant leaders as well as collaborating with functional colleagues such as Global Internal Communications and the V&I unit internal communications lead. Engage and establish strong relationships with external stakeholders, such as medical experts and investigators. Play a key role in patient advocacy group relations, building relationships and support activities that may include ensuring patient advocacy voices/insights inform AstraZeneca work and delivering programmes where AstraZeneca and patient advocacy groups have shared agendas. Support issues preparedness and crisis management to protect brand and company reputation. Help identify issues and develop mitigation plans, including scenario planning, appropriate training for key internal stakeholders and issues tracking. Ensure timely communications and alignment on emerging issues across key internal stakeholder groups, including in markets. Ensure effective use of internal and external resources, including smart deployment of agency support, and management of contractors, through clear objectives, KPIs, continued strive for excellence and innovation. Candidate Knowledge, Skills & Experience Bachelor’s degree Knowledge of global Pharmaceutical market and innovative life sciences environment. Established track-record of delivering impactful, strategic and content-rich communications programmes and proactive stakeholder management with demonstrable measures of success. Substantial experience of healthcare communications gained in-house at a leading multinational biopharma company or at a global agency, backed up by deep understanding of regulatory environment, compliance framework and perspectives of key external stakeholders such as physicians, payers and patients. Significant experience of leading issues management in a similar environment/for global brands/disease areas. Strong media relations experience. Strong digital capability including track record for leveraging organic and paid-for opportunities in pharmaceutical company/medical settings. Strong internal communications capability including understanding of effective channel management, engagement strategies and organisational change communications. Leadership skills and strong collaborative behaviour required to establish ways of working and to drive successful delivery against strategy through a broad mix of internal and external stakeholders. Proven capability to influence and counsel leaders and teams across functions and geographical boundaries. Ability to provide effective coaching and guidance to peers and other team members. Ability to work in a global environment including understanding of cultural differences. Ability to combine strategic thinking with hands-on delivery. Experience of creating and translating scientific/technical content for a broad range of audiences. It’s an exciting time to join AstraZeneca, a global business that’s rapidly growing – there’s a lot happening and even more to come. Apply today. To safeguard the health and wellbeing of our employees, customers and communities, AstraZeneca is mandating COVID-19 vaccination for all US-based AstraZeneca and Alexion employees. We will provide accommodations for those unable to be vaccinated based on applicable law, such as those who cannot get vaccinated due to a medical or religious reason. We continue to work diligently to ensure the health and safety of our employees and workplaces and have in place a number of safety measures and guidelines, including providing access to personal protective equipment and COVID-19 testing. |