Senior Manager, R&D and Early Pipeline Communications

Senior Manager, R&D and Early Pipeline Communications

Boston, MA

Global Corporate Affairs

Hybrid Work- on average 3 days a week from office

At AstraZeneca (AZ), we have three therapy-focused R&D organisations who lead all our work, from discovery through to late-stage development: Oncology R&D is focused on cancer; BioPharmaceuticals R&D on Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), Respiratory and Immunology, Vaccines and Immune Therapies, and opportunistically, Neuroscience; Rare Disease focused on rare diseases across multiple therapy areas. 

Our R&D groups are unified in their approach, and united in their purpose working both independently and together, with shared functions specialising in key scientific capabilities from medicinal chemistry to biometrics, patient safety to data science and artificial intelligence (AI), and clinical innovation to device technology. All of this helps us accelerate discovery and development in our efforts to bring new medicines to patients. 

The R&D Communications Senior Communications Manager will support Global Corporate Affairs to help tell the R&D story externally, uncovering, developing and delivering opportunities to showcase the great science and outstanding people we have in our teams, whilst also support key areas of the early pipeline. This will help position AstraZeneca as the best science-led organisation in the industry, building confidence in our science and pipeline, and as the partner and employer of choice. 

You will work closely with R&D scientists and Therapy Area Leads – from discovery to development, as well as Global Corporate Affairs colleagues, supporting campaigns across digital, social and traditional media to bring the science of drug discovery and development to life. The content and stories you support must resonate with a wide range of primarily external audience groups including collaborators, recruits and media.    

What you'll do

• Support planning and content development for integrated external communications plans to strengthen AstraZeneca’s reputation as a scientific leader in science, Disease Areas and technology platforms 

• Support the development of impactful and accessible scientific messaging enabling leaders and employees to communicate the impacts of our R&D clearly, consistently and comprehensively 

• Deliver global communications plans from Phase IIb through launch, including milestones, data readouts, regulatory events, congress presence, partnerships and competitive responses. 

• Support creation of compelling disease and asset narratives with clear messages and proof points; produce press releases, Q&As and materials for global and local use. 

• Identify proactive comms opportunities based on the overall R&D strategy and devise tactics that showcase the broad-reaching impacts of our science  

• Showcase and amplify scientific publications relating to R&D science and tech, and highlight and support scientists across our digital platforms 

• Develop a strong digital and social media strategy for strategic R&D priorities, finding opportunities and leading on content development optimised for use across AstraZeneca channels 

• Closely partner with teams across global corporate affairs including the global media relations and digital communications teams on relevant communications activities and find opportunities for engagement and collaboration 

• Support the markets to effectively communicate about AstraZeneca’s scientific programmes and Disease Areas 

• Establish measures of success and implement relevant evaluation tools for KPIs across communications activities 

Essential for the role

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a communications role 

• Bachelors Degree in scientific field

• Established track record of supporting impactful, content rich science communications across multiple channels and stakeholders with proven measures of success 

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build collaborative relationships  

• Possess a sense of urgency; is self-motivated, detail-minded, with ability to multi-task 

• Proactive approach in resolving problems and issues 

• Ability to work in a global environment including understanding of cultural differences 

• Exemplary English written and verbal communications skills 

• Team worker with high level of personal accountability 

Desirable for the role

• Experience of working in matrix organisations across multiple teams 

• Experience working with senior leaders and external stakeholders 

• Entrepreneurial approach and desire to challenge the status quo 

• Strong channel management, digital skills and knowledge of technology options 

• Able to develop and maintain networks across business and cultural boundaries 

• Experience in the pharmaceutical industry  

Office Working Requirements

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.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $124,608.80 - 186,913.20 USD. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

#LI-Hybrid

Date Posted

Closing Date

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.