Director, R&D Communications

US AstraZeneca offices will be closed from December 25th to January 1st, re-opening January 2nd. We encourage you to apply to jobs of interest and we will review applications upon our return

Join us at Alexion, AstraZeneca, Rare Disease as our new Director, R&D Communications. This role is a unique opportunity to lead both external and internal communications activities, increasing awareness and understanding of our pioneering science and pipeline. Reporting to the Senior Director of Pipeline and Portfolio Communications, you will partner closely with R&D leadership, providing strategic counsel and executing communications plans to raise visibility of our innovative science and leadership in rare disease R&D.

This is what you will do:

The Director, R&D Communications, will lead both external and internal communications activities to increase awareness and understanding of Alexion’s science and pipeline. Reporting to the Senior Director of Pipeline and Portfolio Communications, this position will partner closely with R&D leadership, providing strategic counsel, support and execution of communications plans and tactics to raise visibility of Alexion’s pioneering science, pipeline indications and leadership in rare disease R&D. This individual will be someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, is self-motivated and able to work both independently and collaboratively. The successful candidate will have excellent written and verbal communications skills, a strong scientific background, and experience translating scientific and technical information for diverse audiences.

You will:

• Lead development and implementation of communications plans to tell the story of Alexion’s innovative science and build awareness of the pipeline in new and creative ways.

• Lead development of materials to help explain Alexion’s science to lay audiences.

• In partnership with Corporate, Internal and Digital communications teams, lead development of creative and compelling content to showcase innovation and highlight progress.

• Lead the development of communications materials, data and pipeline milestones, integrated communications initiatives, and disease messaging.

• Lead the development of press materials, standby statements, Q&As and key message documents.

• Drive employee awareness and understanding about Alexion’s portfolio through meaningful organizational communications that engage, educate and inspire, , in collaboration with the internal communications team

• Provide R&D  subject matter expertise and support to Corporate Communications colleagues.

• Manage agency partners to drive execution of communications strategies, managing associated budgets and ensuring communications goals are achieved

You will need to have:

• 10+ years of experience in PR, Communications in biotech/pharmaceuticals or with a healthcare public relations agency, or other relevant/commensurate experience

• BA/BS or similar educational attainment

• Strong scientific background and comfort with communicating highly technical information in simple, easy-to-understand ways

• Ability to research, develop, deliver and measure communications strategies and plans with a goal of showcasing communications successes to internal and external audiences

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills

• Experience in internal and external communications

• Ability to work effectively across functions, levels and business units; proven collaborator

• Proactive, self-starter and able to work independently and collaboratively

• Experience managing projects within a matrixed environment

• Outstanding attention to detail, follow-through and high sense of urgency

• Ability to work well under pressure, successfully navigate ambiguity and succeed in a rapidly changing, fast-paced, often unpredictable environment with multiple competing priorities

We would prefer for you to have:

• Rare disease/biopharma experience is important, but not essential

• High learning agility

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

At Alexion, we are driven by our closeness to patients. Our brave, pioneering spirit combined with our empathetic understanding of our patient's journeys makes us unique in the R&D and healthcare landscape. We offer a vibrant, entrepreneurial environment with the resources of a global biopharma. Here, your career is not just a path, but a journey to making a difference where it truly counts.

Ready to join a team that's changing lives every day? Apply now!

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.