Job description
R-159981: Associate Director, Science Communications & Engagement - Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences
Location: Cambridge, UK
Competitive Salary & Benefits
At AstraZeneca, we turn ideas into life changing medicines and strive to continuously meet the unmet needs of patients worldwide. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big, and working together to make the impossible a reality!
We are currently recruiting for a dedicated, motivated individual to lead our internal and external communication and engagement. You will be responsible for building, leading and implementing the communication and engagement strategy. You will shape the ongoing flow of information, to ensure that our communication rises above the “noise”, by identifying innovative ways of bringing our voice to the relevant audiences in and outside AstraZeneca.
Who we are
Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences is a global excellence function supporting all of AZ R&D, with colleagues across UK, US, Sweden and Spain. We are a diverse department of around 700 people working together to support and contribute to our drug pipeline. We are committed to bringing novel medicine to patients, supporting every project from drug discovery to launch with our expertise across Safety Sciences, Clinical Pharmacology, Bioanalysis, Pathology, and Imaging and Data Sciences.
This is the place to make an impact! Here we ensure everyone can reach their full potential, perform at their best and make a valued contribution to the enterprise.
What You’ll do
- Defining and implementing the internal and external communications and engagement strategy, working closely with key collaborators both inside and outside AstraZeneca
- Working directly with the CPSS Senior Vice President and the CPSS leadership team to define the strategic focus and develop content for internal and high-profile external engagements
- Acting as strategic communications adviser to the SVP and leadership team, and moderate and facilitate some of the key meetings, such as Townhalls and Leadership Team meetings
- Leading the planning, asset creation and implementation to support key strategic needs for functional scientific and great place to work strategies, including video scripting, filming and editing, scientific copy writing, event planning and delivery, commissioning of scientific imagery and design work and other specialist services
- Working with the SVP and leadership team to enhance their external profiles and the profile of CPSS on social media platforms
- Leading the strategy for enhancing engagement of leaders internally and externally including provision of coaching and training programmes
- Overall accountability for the delivery of high quality and engaging events and broadcasts (e.g. Town Halls) to bring the CPSS story to life
- Leading initiatives and matrixed teams to enhance culture
- Accountability for delivery of key business reports
- Building and implementing an engaging internal editorial calendar to raise the visibility of CPSS achievements across AstraZeneca and to communicate our scorecard using a range of platforms including internal social media
- Partnering with R&D Corporate Affairs and Talent Acquisition to shape external communications to increase the external scientific and our great place to work reputation
- Supporting the IT strategy for use of specific collaboration mechanisms, such as Microsoft Teams and SharePoint Online
- Providing direction, guidance and development of any direct reports or matrixed team members
Essential criteria:
- Experience in a strategic corporate communications role with proficiency in developing and leading communications & engagement programs
- Practised in creating impactful scientific communications for a range of difference audiences
- Proven track record as a single point of contact on a program portfolio – e.g., 5 Programs
- Strong internal stakeholder engagement capabilities – Skilled at being able bring together all relevant internal collaborators, achieving project deliverables and targets
- Experience of delivering BAU initiatives whilst developing the longer-term strategic communication plan
- A solid track record of delivering tasks in a timely manner
Desirable criteria
- Degree in a related subject area
- Pharmaceutical experience would be highly desirable but not essential
Skills and capabilities
- Excellent ability to engage, influence and collaborate across boundaries with delivery focus and a problem-solving attitude
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills in English
- Knowledge of large, matrixed organisations
- Strong influencing, networking and team working skills
Why AstraZeneca
At AstraZeneca, we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration. Always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development.
At AstraZeneca when we see an opportunity for change, we seize it and make it happen, because any opportunity no matter how small, can be the start of something big. Delivering life-changing medicines is about being entrepreneurial - finding those moments and recognising their potential.
*** We will be reviewing applications and shortlisting on a rolling basis - as such we reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy ahead of the stated closing date ***
So, what’s next?
We would encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. If you know someone who would be a great fit, please share this posting with them.
This advert will be running from Friday, 24th February 2023, and we welcome your application as soon as possible. The scheduled closing date is Sunday, 12th March 2023.
Where can I find out more?
Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/
Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/