Associate Director, Oncology Medical Communications
AstraZeneca

Do you have a passion for people, for science and the communications and management skills to design, develop and implement employee engagement strategies for a science-led biopharmaceutical company? Can you conceive, organize and run effective internal & external communications programs to help deliver one of the industry's most exciting oncology portfolios? At AstraZeneca, we're looking for a Communications Associate Director to join us in Gaithersburg and contribute to our vision of leading a revolution in Oncology to redefine cancer care.

Based in Gaithersburg (MD - USA), where she / he will be part of the Global Oncology Corporate Affairs team, the Communications Associate Director will act as a daily business partner to the Global Oncology Medical function. The Associate Director will work closely with the Senior Vice President of the function and leadership team, to support the development and growth of the AZ Oncology Business Unit and the programs for building skills and capabilities needed to bring the vision of bringing science to care for patients around the world.

As a member of the Oncology Medical Leadership Team, the Associate Director will help drive employee engagement and proactive delivery of Oncology Medical business performance objectives through a period of acceleration and transformational change for the function across the globe.

Working closely with the Oncology Corporate and Internal Communications lead and team, the Associate Director will support in the design, development and delivery of impactful corporate communications programs that build, enhance and protect the reputation of AstraZeneca Oncology to shape and redefine the cancer care environment through thought leadership and partnership with industry, patient, academic and legislative organizations that share our ambition to lead a revolution in Oncology and eliminate cancer as a cause of death.

Accountabilities/Responsibilities

Oncology Medical leadership communications and support

• Works with the SVP Oncology Medical to develop comprehensive, integrated communication strategies to support the delivery of business priorities, with a primary focus on employee engagement and executive communications
• Develop and implement a core narrative for Oncology Medical which enables internal and external stakeholders to better understand the respective value of Medical Affairs
• Proactively advise and coach Medical executives on effective internal / external communications related to key events/ issues/ activities
• Advises leadership on sequencing for communication cascades, counsels leadership on objectives, message, approach and style for planned communications
• Collaborates with other AZ Communication Leads to ensure integration and alignment with strategic direction, corporate narrative, and internal and external CA campaign and editorial planning processes

Employee engagement planning and coordination

• Drive and regularly evaluate programs and tactics to improve morale and establish Oncology Medical as a great place to work. Deliver AZ Pulse survey remediation plan and strategy for recruitment messaging/communications
• Develop a narrative to support congress activities/launch readiness / capability building programs in local markets in partnership with local market program owners
• Collaborates with Oncology Medical leadership teams to deliver an aligned communications plan supporting Medical transformation and change initiatives
• Leads the communication planning, development and delivery for flagship events.
• Leads and champions use of relevant communication channels - such as Workplace, leadership e-mail, and Nucleus - across the function; ensures adoption across organisation and implements measurement strategies in order to drive effectiveness and behavior change
• Ensures communications are continuous, consistent and distributed through appropriate channels, working with all corporate affairs partners and third-party agencies as required

Management and oversight of content delivery

• Leads prioritization of internal messages and acts as a gatekeeper
• Develops senior thought leadership platform & messaging for external audiences
• Drafts leadership messages and critical business announcements as appropriate
• Management of content for Medical communications including Town Halls, social collaboration tools (Workplace) and email
• Ensures all internal and external communication key messages reflect the company's business priorities and strategy

Internal and External Contacts / Customers

• Oncology Medical Leadership Team
• Global Oncology Corporate Affairs

External Contacts/ Customers

• Management of agencies

Minimum Requirements - Education and Experience

Essential

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communication, marketing or related field
• 7-10 years + communications experience
• Experience of working in large scale multi-national companies
• Experience of driving transformational change communications and working cross-functionally
• Advanced internal communications skills (including management of new digital/video tools and copywriting)
• Good understanding of all aspects of the pharmaceutical industry
• Communications agency management
• Ability to coach and influence senior leaders on their communication effectiveness
• Ability to set and manage priorities, resources, goals, and project initiatives
• First-rate coordination, collaboration, organization and multi-tasking skills
• Project management skills

Desirable

• Working knowledge of the role of medical affairs and its strategic importance on delivery business objectives

This job has expired.