Director, Digital Platforms & Experience

AstraZeneca is seeking a senior leader to direct the strategy, transformation, and ongoing excellence of our corporate digital estates, with a primary mandate to architect and deliver a worldclass evolution of Astrazeneca.com. This role sits within Global Corporate Affairs (GCA) and will lead cross-functional programmes that advance AstraZeneca’s bold digital ambitions, elevate stakeholder experiences globally, and set new standards in AI-enabled, modular, and scalable web platforms.

This is a high visibility, multiyear leadership role requiring deep organisational savvy, exceptional stakeholder management, and a proven ability to deliver complex enterprise platforms at global scale.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the end-to-end transformation of AstraZeneca.com

• Vision and strategy: Define the platform vision and multiyear roadmap for a best-in-class, AI-enabled, modular, and scalable global web estate aligned to AstraZeneca’s broader digital strategy.

• Platform selection and architecture: Lead cross-functional evaluation and selection of platform/CMS, content model, design system, and integration approach; ensure extensibility for country replication and reuse.

• Senior stakeholder engagement: Build executive sponsorship and alignment across GCA, IT, Legal/Compliance, IR, ESG, Media Relations, Therapy Areas, and Regions; “sell in” pivotal decisions at the most senior levels.

• Regulatory and disclosure compliance: Embed requirements for transparency, accessibility, privacy, and disclosure; shape governance and controls to meet global regulations.

• AI and personalisation: Architect native AI capabilities (personalisation, recommendations, search, content optimization) with a robust measurement and experimentation framework.

• Program and change leadership: Stand up a programme structure, delivery plan, risk/issue management, and change management strategy; orchestrate an enablement plan for countries and global functions.

• Outcomes and timeline: Lead a phased approach targeting ~12 months for strategy and planning and up to ~12 months for build and launch (accelerating where feasible), with clear milestones, decision gates, and benefits realization.

Own the strategy, vision, and day-to-day management of AstraZeneca.com and Alexion.com

• Operating model: Define the vision, ways of working, and governance for the corporate web estate; lead a matrixed “pod” including a Senior Manager, Digital Platforms & Experience, and a Contractor Manager (non-direct reports).

• Run operations: Oversee technical updates, content publishing, and change requests across corporate, therapy areas, and regions; streamline releases and ensure robust QA and accessibility checks.

• Time-sensitive updates: Be hands on and capable of making direct website updates for sensitive or time-critical changes.

• Vendor and budget stewardship: Manage key external partners (platform, design, engineering, analytics, SEO) and related SOWs.

• Measurement and reporting: Define and report quarterly on KPIs/OKRs (experience quality, performance, engagement, findability, conversion proxies, uptime, release cadence).

• Planning and transparency: Maintain forward content/feature calendars, service levels, and clear status reporting for stakeholders.

Own the AI and future-of-web strategy for corporate digital

• Define the AI framework for web: Piloting and scaling AI-assisted content operations, personalisation, search experiences, accessibility augmentation, and governance for responsible AI use

• Findability: Create an integrated SEO/GEO strategy with guidance on large language model (LLM) and generative AI findability; publish regular updates on platform changes affecting content performance.

• Internal enablement: Provide GCA-wide enablement through playbooks, office hours, and training; act as a key voice in GCA AI governance forums and support AI initiatives as needed.

• Risk and compliance: Partner with Legal/Privacy/Security to ensure responsible AI use, model/feature risk assessments, and appropriate guardrails.

Steward the GCA Digital Transformation Programme

• Portfolio management: Manage the discrete innovation budget; track ~10 transformation initiatives and provide transparent progress, risks, and outcomes reporting to leadership.

• Governance and outcomes: Establish intake, prioritisation, and success criteria; ensure learnings and reusable assets are shared across GCA.

• Partner with initiative owners: Rely on program owners for updates while ensuring alignment to strategy, value realization, and scalability.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Experience

• Extensive experience managing enterprise scale web estates (including web rebuilds) and digital experience programmes in highly regulated sectors (pharma/healthcare preferred)

• Strong executive presence with ability to secure buy in and make clear, data-backed recommendations to C-suite and functional leaders.

• Deep experience with modern web platforms and patterns: headless/hybrid CMS, design systems, component libraries, CDNs, SEO, analytics, experimentation, accessibility.

• Expertise in regulated environments (e.g., disclosure, privacy, accessibility, records retention) and partnering effectively with Legal/Compliance.

• Proven expertise in platform governance, accessibility, UX, SEO/GEO, and omnichannel strategy.

• Strong track record managing CMS platforms (preferably AEM) and overseeing technical implementation partners or vendors.

• Skilled in interpreting analytics to drive content, channel, and experience decisions.

• Familiarity with global compliance, privacy, accessibility, and AI governance frameworks.

Capabilities and Behaviours

• Strategic Leadership: Directs complex digital ecosystems, aligning technology, storytelling, and channels for impact.

• Operational Excellence: Builds robust processes that deliver quality, efficiency, and accountability across web, social, and internal platforms.

• Collaborative Influence: Works across Corporate Affairs, IT, Legal, HR, and markets to ensure seamless execution and governance alignment.

• Analytical Rigor: Uses data to inform decisions, improve UX, and drive continuous optimisation across paid and organic channels.

• Inclusive Design Mindset: Advocates for accessible, user‑centred experiences that meet diverse audience needs.

• Resilience and Clarity: Brings stability and calm to high‑pressure situations, setting clear priorities and solutions.

• Global Mindset: Balances central standards with local agility, understanding regional nuances across external and internal audiences.

• Responsible AI Stewardship: Applies ethical, compliant, and effective AI practices to enhance digital experiences.

Reporting & Collaboration

• Reports to: Senior Director, Digital Strategy, Corporate Communications

• Collaborates with: Corporate Affairs roles across regions, markets, Therapy Areas and functions; IT/Digital, Legal/Compliance/Privacy, Investor Relations, Sustainability, Media Relations, HR/Recruiting, Procurement, and external partners.

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.