Senior Director, Cambridge Communications, 12 month FTC

Senior Director, Cambridge Communications – 12 month FTC / Secondment

The Discovery Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, UK

Competitive salary and benefits

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.

We are headquartered in Cambridge, UK – one of the most exciting bioscience hotspots in the world, which is home to the largest UK research and development facility – The DISC. Here more than 2,000 employees work together, and with external partners, in drug discovery and development, across our therapy areas, each playing a central role in our mission to deliver life‑changing medicines to patients. The DISC is uniquely designed to strengthen collaboration, promote openness, and improve the sustainability of every aspect of our science and our business operations.

Are you ready to enhance our reputation in Cambridge and strengthen relationships within this growing ecosystem and beyond? As the Senior Director, Cambridge Communications you will define and drive activities that enhance our reputation in Cambridge and strengthen relationships with those within this thriving ecosystem and beyond. You will become a key representative of AZ in the Cambridge community and utilize this role and relationships to guide the development and execution of a robust programme of activities that support the company’s strategy and maximise the impact of AstraZeneca in Cambridge; bringing together diverse stakeholder needs and optimising our external communications, STEM, campus vibrancy and community relationships.

You will be a key member of the R&D Communications teams, working closely with internal stakeholders across Global Corporate Affairs (GCA) and the broader organisation to ensure the role of AZ in Cambridge – and our most exciting science – is showcased and understood, and to position AstraZeneca as the best science‑led organisation in the industry, a business leader and the partner and employer of choice.

Accountabilities

• Act as a key representative of AstraZeneca within the Cambridge community, contributing and also learning from others in the wider ecosystem, and translating these insights into activities
• Lead the development and delivery of an integrated corporate affairs strategy and plan that showcases AstraZeneca’s leadership and positive impact to enhance reputation and collaborations in Cambridge, including internal, external and STEM activities. Aligning activities with internal stakeholders to maximise the broader impact within the UK and globally
• Reinforce and lead the company’s approach to external / strategic stakeholder engagement in Cambridge and serve as an effective ambassador in the community
• Ensure Cambridge milestones, events and external news flow are maximised/effectively managed to achieve Cambridge objectives
• Identify and mobilise input and output from key groups including media relations, government affairs, community relations, R&D, digital/social media, internal communications and recruitment marketing, to deliver reputation‑enhancing communications programmes and events
• Anticipate and manage reputational issues in addition to playing a corporate affairs leadership role in business continuity/incident management if required
• Build and expand measurable impact of AZ STEM activities in the UK, and ensure alignment with wider STEM and early careers activities
• Align activities with other Cambridge community support programmes (managed in Ops BAU) which focuses predominantly on science education in the community
• Provide coaching and counsel on corporate affairs topics to internal stakeholders including senior leaders on the Cambridge Site Leadership Team
• Establish measures of success and implement relevant evaluation tools. Ensure external environment is monitored to identify local and national communication opportunities and risks

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Established track record of delivering impactful, integrated corporate affairs strategies and plans in support of business priorities across multiple channels and stakeholders with demonstrable measures of success
• Track record of creating and developing networks, with an entrepreneurial approach and desire to challenge the status quo
• Understands the UK Life‑sciences and/or Cambridge ecosystem, and can adeptly navigate and understand the challenges and opportunities they present
• Broad, multi‑channel communication experience including media, events, digital, change and crisis communications
• Working knowledge of the UK political and media environment
• Experience of managing different internal and external stakeholder relationships, confident around senior leaders, comfortable delivering contrary viewpoint when necessary
• Strong issues management capability across corporate affairs disciplines, sound judgement, strong reputational radar
• High level of integrity, able to handle highly confidential/sensitive information
• Track‑record of team and programme leadership, with exceptional influencing and relationship building skills
• Team worker with high levels of motivation and personal accountability, bringing enthusiasm & energy to the team
• Excellent eye for detail and upholding visual and verbal identity
• Able to develop and maintain relationships across business and cultural boundaries

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we ignite ambitious 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 high‑reaching world.

Why AstraZeneca?

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.

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

Where can I find out more?

Our Social Media: Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn LinkedIn. Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook Facebook. Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram Instagram.