Director, Health Systems Policy and Advocacy, Europe & Canada

Director, Health Systems Policy & Advocacy, Europe & Canada (EUCAN)

At AstraZeneca, you'll have the chance to make a meaningful difference to patients’ lives and the future of healthcare systems. With science at its heart, this is the place where breakthroughs become transformative medicines, and where bold partnerships and policy leadership help ensure sustainable, competitive healthcare for the future.

About the Role

The Director, Health Systems Policy & Advocacy, EUCAN will lead AstraZeneca’s policy and advocacy agenda to shape competitive, sustainable, and resilient health systems across Europe and Canada, with a focus on accelerating investment in and adoption of healthcare innovation. Reporting to the Senior Director, BioPharma Corporate Affairs, EUCAN, the role works across global, regional, and local teams to deliver a forward-looking policy programme that accelerates uptake of innovation, advances sustainability, and strengthens AstraZeneca’s reputation as a partner in health system transformation.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the regional health systems strategy to advance policy reforms that secure sustainable funding for healthcare innovation and promote pro-competitiveness policies and incentives in areas such as clinical trials, digital health and AI, and sustainability.
• Lead priority regional policy projects (including evidence, policy positioning and messaging, stakeholder advocacy strategies) and represent AstraZeneca in engagement with governments, trade associations, think tanks, and multi-stakeholder coalitions, including the Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience.
• Identify opportunities to leverage AstraZeneca’s strategic footprint and investments to shape policy in support of enterprise priorities.
• Collaborate across the matrix organisation—working with global colleagues, regional leadership, local markets and cross-functional teams —to provide strategic support, build capability, and drive alignment.
• Develop and deliver thought leadership and advocacy communications that articulate AstraZeneca’s positions and influence health system debates.

What you’ll bring

• Strong experience in health policy and advocacy, with a proven record of delivering impactful, integrated strategies at global, regional, and/or in-market level. Strong knowledge of European health policy environments, including healthcare financing and funding models, is a distinct advantage.
• Proven leadership in matrix organisations, with the ability to communicate with impact, influence across cross-functional teams, and align diverse stakeholders behind shared priorities.
• Deep understanding of healthcare systems and the biopharmaceutical sector. Strong knowledge of market access, reimbursement frameworks, regulatory dynamics, and trends shaping sustainability and competitiveness a a bonus.
• Strong business acumen, with demonstrated success in connecting health systems policy and advocacy objectives to measurable enterprise outcomes.
• Proven track record in leading multiple complex projects and initiatives in fast-paced environments, delivering results under pressure.
• International experience, with knowledge of working across geographic and cultural boundaries, strong cultural sensitivity, and effectiveness in virtual teams.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with fluency in English and ideally one major additional European language, including the ability to shape compelling narratives and engage senior stakeholders.

Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.