Director, UK Government and Political Affairs - 12-month secondment / FTC

At AstraZeneca (AZ), science compels us to push the boundaries of what is possible to turn science into life-changing medicines for patients who need them most. We deliver breakthrough science by creating thriving, vibrant and open science centres where our scientists are free to pursue their ideas and collaborate both with colleagues and our academic and industry partners.

Are you ready to shape the UK life sciences policy environment and build trusted relationships that accelerate impact for patients and the business? This role places you at the centre of the UK policy landscape, partnering across local, regional and global teams to design and deliver targeted stakeholder engagement that moves the needle.

You will lead efforts that influence the Life Sciences Sector Plan, science and research policy, skills, and the UK’s net zero and sustainability ambitions. As the key global corporate contact supporting colleagues at UK sites, you will connect government priorities with AstraZeneca’s enterprise goals, ensuring set piece events in Cambridge and elsewhere advance strategic outcomes.

This position offers scope to operate with autonomy while collaborating with diverse experts. You will advise senior leaders for high-stakes meetings, build and maintain high-value relationships, and deliver clear policy positions that enable the UK to thrive as a world-leading home for life sciences. Can you see yourself turning complex policy into practical momentum that benefits patients and the UK life sciences sector?

• Strategic Stakeholder Engagement: Develop and maintain influential relationships with parliamentarians, Civil Servants, Special Advisors and other decision-makers across priority policy areas to advance AstraZeneca’s corporate objectives.
• Policy Shaping and Advocacy: Lead engagement on elements of the Life Sciences Sector Plan and related science, research, skills and sustainability policies; deliver briefings, position papers and presentations that shape outcomes aligned to business priorities.
• Government Strategy Influence: Understand and influence the Government’s strategy for life sciences, preparing and promoting senior leaders to maximise impact in government and Parliamentary meetings and participation in societies, trusts, foundations and academia.
• Executive Engagement Enablement: Provide opportunities to showcase AstraZeneca’s UK footprint with key stakeholders; support delivery of set piece engagements, including on the Life Sciences Council, that reinforce our leadership in life sciences.
• Cross-sector Collaboration: Partner with industry bodies, academia, trade associations, professional bodies and research funders to enhance AstraZeneca’s reputation and influence in the UK.
• UK Sites Support: Support colleagues across five UK sites on national and regional policy matters that enable growth, ensuring consistency and coordination across the enterprise.
• Thought Leadership and External Representation: Identify and prioritise external speaking opportunities for senior colleagues; develop key messages and policy asks; be a visible and well-connected ambassador for AstraZeneca at events, meetings and conferences.
• Internal Network Building: Build an effective internal network to surface corporate priorities and align them to external engagement; act as the trusted point of contact on UK policy issues for internal stakeholders.
• Policy Development with Experts: Collaborate with subject matter experts to develop new policy positions where needed, grounded in evidence and business value.
• Investment and Programme Leverage: Understand and leverage AstraZeneca’s investments and programmes to advance corporate and commercial priorities across the UK.
• International Engagement Delivery: Work with UK and international colleagues to deliver set piece engagements with international stakeholders visiting the UK, strengthening bilateral partnerships and global influence.

• Extensive understanding of UK politics, life sciences policy, and the Civil Service, with deep knowledge of the UK’s Life Sciences Sector Plan and a track record of strategically shaping the UK environment with impact.
• Previous experience working in or with the UK Government, the Civil Service, Parliament, regulatory bodies and life sciences organisations.
• Highly organised, entrepreneurial, and capable of operating independently.
• Exceptional communication skills with demonstrated experience in developing and managing political relationships.
• Wider understanding of the UK commercial medicines environment and experience working across other pharmaceutical companies and leading British businesses.
• Vast experience gained within Government and Parliament (preferred), as well as within the life sciences industry, academia, healthcare and/or NGO sectors.
• Experience engaging with and influencing senior political, official and business stakeholders in relevant policy areas.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline.

Join a hardworking distributed team that’s powering AstraZeneca to better serve patients, every day. The fuel behind our evolving, rapidly growing enterprise, we’re here to help unlock the power of what science can do and ultimately have a big impact on patients’ lives. We offer countless opportunities for growth, rewarding our successes collectively across the business. Our generous benefits package showcases the business’s appreciation of our long-term dedication.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That’s why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn’t mean we’re not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Ready to make an impact? Apply today to become a part of our diverse team!