Director R&D & Early Pipeline Communications

Director R&D & Early Pipeline Communications

Boston, MA

Global Corporate Affairs

Hybrid Work- on average 3 days a week from office

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 have three therapy-focused R&D organisations who lead all our work, from discovery through to late-stage development: Oncology R&D is focused on cancer; BioPharmaceuticals R&D on Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), Respiratory and Immunology, and Infectious Diseases; Rare Disease focused on rare diseases across multiple therapy areas. 

Our R&D groups are unified in their approach, and united in their purpose working both independently and together, with shared functions specialising in key scientific capabilities from medicinal chemistry to biometrics, patient safety to data science and artificial intelligence (AI), and clinical innovation to device technology. All of this helps us accelerate discovery and development in our efforts to bring new medicines to patients. 

What you’ll do 

The R&D Communications Director will support Global Corporate Affairs to help tell the R&D story externally, uncovering, developing and delivering opportunities to showcase the great science and outstanding people we have in our teams, whilst also support key areas of the early pipeline. This will help position AstraZeneca as the best science-led organisation in the industry, building confidence in our science and pipeline, and as the partner and employer of choice. 

The role will involve working closely with R&D scientists and Therapy Area Leads – from discovery to development, as well as Global Corporate Affairs colleagues, developing multi-layered campaigns across digital, social and traditional media to bring the science of drug discovery and development to life. The content and stories you develop will need to resonate with a wide range of primarily external audience groups including collaborators, recruits and media.    

• Development and delivery of an integrated external communications plans to strengthen AstraZeneca’s reputation as a scientific leader in science, Disease Areas and technology platforms, across external stakeholders & channels 

• Provide communications support and coaching to Expert Function Leaders, like Discovery Sciences and Clinical operations with regard to communicating scientific messages and external communications generally e.g. social 

• Develop and deliver global communications plans from Phase IIb through launch, including milestones, data readouts, regulatory events, congress presence, partnerships and competitive responses. 

• Build compelling disease and asset narratives with clear messages and proof points; produce press releases, Q&As and materials for global and local use. 

• Serves as counsellor and support for executive communications/external engagements for R&D leaders. Includes supporting key activities such as media interviews and speaking engagements. 

• Showcase and amplify scientific publications relating to R&D science and tech, and highlight and support scientists across our digital platforms  

• Ability to identify proactive comms opportunities and devise tactics that showcase R&D and are aligned with the overall strategy 

• Build relationships and co-create programs with patient groups to inform strategy and drive shared agendas. 

• Support the markets to effectively communicate about AstraZeneca’s scientific programmes and Disease Areas 

• Support PR execution for partnering activities related to R&D science and tech, including development of press releases, statements, Q&As. Prepare for potential issues. 

• Collaborate with global/regional media and country teams; support investor communications with Investor Relations; engage external experts and investigators. 

• Lead issues preparedness and crisis management, including scenario planning, training, tracking and alignment across markets. 

• Establish measures of success and implement relevant evaluation tools for all communications activities 

Essential for the role

• Bachelor's Degree in a scientific field

• Minimum 8 years of experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry

• Established track record of delivering impactful, content rich communications programmes across multiple channels and stakeholders with de