Director, Policy & Advocacy, Biopharmaceuticals, Europe & Canada

Director, Policy & Advocacy, BioPharmaceuticals, Europe & Canada (EUCAN)

At AstraZeneca, you'll have the chance to create a meaningful difference to patients’ lives. With science at its heart, this is the place where breakthroughs born in the lab become transformative medicines - to address some of the world’s most pressing health challenges. 

About the Role

The Director, Policy & Advocacy, BioPharmaceuticals, Europe & Canada (EUCAN) wil lead integrated policy and advocacy strategies to advance AstraZeneca’s business priorities across key biopharmaceutical therapy areas (TA). This highly dynamic role combines policy shaping, patient advocacy and strategic communications, with a strong emphasis on market readiness, enabling successful launches, and advancing a comprehensive chronic disease agenda that accelerates patient access to innovation.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Corporate Affairs, BioPharmaceuticals, EUCAN, the role will collaborate with global, regional, and market cross-functional teams to ensure alignment in strategy and execution to establish AstraZeneca as a trusted partner in improving healthcare outcomes. You'll join a thriving Global Corporate Affairs function within the dynamic Europe and Canada region, covering more than thirty countries. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of policy and advocacy strategies that directly support AstraZeneca’s commercial objectives in key biopharmaceutical therapy areas, ensuring market readiness, successful launches and uptake of guideline-directed treatment.
• Shape and advance an integrated chronic disease policy agenda that drives earlier diagnosis, access to innovative treatment, and integrated end-to-end care for patients.

• Build and nurture relationships with key external stakeholders, including government officials, industry associations, patient advocacy groups and multi-stakeholder coalitions to deliver shared objectives  

• Provide strategic counsel, guidance and support to market teams to align efforts with regional and global priorities while developing capability and driving performance across the region.

• Partner with global and regional leadership and cross-functional teams to embed policy and advocacy priorities into therapy area and brand strategies, ensuring coordinated execution  of strategic plans and consistency, impact and alignment in campaigns and messaging across markets
• Lead and deliver priority BioPharma policy and advocacy communications, including thought leadership platforms, stakeholder messaging and executive engagement materials, to influence healthcare debates and advance AstraZeneca strategic objectives.

What You’ll Bring

• Extensive experience in policy and advocacy, or related fields, with a proven record of delivering impactful integrated policy, advocacy, and communications strategies at global, regional and/or in-market settings . Strong knowledge of European and health policy envuronments is a distinct advantage.
• Proven leadership in matrix organisations, with the ability to communicate with impact, influence across cross-functional teams, build consensus among diverse stakeholders and align priorities behind shared objectives.

• Strong business acumen, with demonstrated success in connecting corporate affairs objectives to measurable business outcomes 

• Deep understanding of the biopharmaceutical industry, including market access, regulatory dynamics, and policy development. Therapy area experience in cardio-renal diseases, respiratory disease, weight management and/or cell therapy is a strong plus. 
• Proven track record in managing multiple complex projectsand resources in fast-paced environments, delivering results under pressure.

• International experience, with knowledge of and experience of working across geographic and cultural boundaries, including highly-developed cultural sensitivity and effectiveness in virtual teams 

• Excellent communication skills, with fluency in English and ideally at least one major additional European language, including the ability to craft compelling narratives and influence at senior levels.

Join us today!

With our ground-breaking pipeline, the outlook is bright. Be proud to be part of a place that has achieved so much, yet is still moving forward. There’s no better time to join our global, growing enterprise as we lead the way for healthcare and society. 

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.