EUCAN Communications Director, Rare Disease

What you’ll do:

The Director, EUCAN Communications will provide communications expertise to the EUCAN Region for Rare Disease, including corporate communications, media relations, executive leader visibility and internal communications.

The role reports into the Vice President, Corporate Affairs EUCAN and Alexion International and works closely with the Director for EUCAN Government Affairs for Rare Disease. They will work with the regional and global cross-functional teams to develop, as well as with the markets across the region, to drive and deliver a coordinated communications strategy aligned to regional business priorities and our Global Corporate Affairs objectives.

They will counsel and provide guidance to the Senior Vice President, Alexion EUCAN and International, as well as members of the leadership team. In addition to providing direct communications support, they will develop and support delivery of prioritised and balanced internal and external communications initiatives to support the EUCAN business priorities.

External communications initiatives will predominantly focus on and improving/protecting the reputation of the company, supporting our Rare Disease TA shaping priorities, issues management and message development. Internal communications initiatives will predominantly focus on driving increased employee engagement, equipping leaders to engage their teams and inspiring change. It will also include channel management and development.

The position will play a functional and strategic leadership role across the region, helping to further build bridges between Alexion and AstraZeneca, raise capabilities and drive the network of EUCAN in-market communicators to optimise alignment, efficiencies and best practice.

Key Accountabilities:

• Collaborate with the EUCAN Corporate Affairs team to build and drive successful implementation of integrated communications strategies across corporate, internal, media, Rare Disease and above-TA.

• Identify and align on key strategic external communications priorities that will support the delivery of the EUCAN and International CA strategy for Rare Disease. Work closely together with the Global Comms teams to shape content development.

• Provide business partner support to SVP Alexion EUCAN and International to support delivery of strategic priorities. This demands a strategic approach as well as strong execution skills.

• Provide strategic counsel, leadership and coaching to projects/team leaders to drive communication decisions and actions, as well as improving overall communication efficiency, for agreed business priorities.

• Work with colleagues across Global Corporate Affairs to ensure alignment of narrative/messaging and editorial priorities, pull through of global campaigns and visibility of key regional and market events/announcements.

• Discover opportunities for SVP EUCAN and International as well as the Leadership Team on their internal/external engagements, supporting delivery of prioritised communications activities e.g. media engagement, speeches, presentations, etc.

• Represent EUCAN on GCA leadership groups, ensuring regional perspective for Rare Disease and needs are reflected appropriately in global plans and aligning with markets re planning, implementation and feedback.

• Influence and contribute towards the EUCAN communicators’ network, achieving optimum alignment, consistency and efficiency across the region. Help to raise capabilities and sharing of best practice between markets. Share solutions to challenges facing communicators regarding delivery of business priorities.

• In partnership with global internal communications, develop regional employee engagement strategies and effective employee communication channels to inspire change and deepen understanding of company strategy and its application in the region.

• Supporting significant organisational change programmes, reputation management activity.

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Essential for the role:

• Extensive and varied experience in the communications arena (preferably with previous experience at Marketing Company and Regional level)

• Strong track record in delivering impactful external communication strategies

• Strong business acumen and proven success in connecting critical communications to business outcomes

• Ability to influence the business and communication decisions of senior management and to mentor senior leaders on their effectiveness

• Experience in successful change communication programme implementation

• Experience of crisis and/or issues management

• Proven track record of effectively managing many projects and resources

• Highly-developed cultural sensitivity and ability to work in virtual teams

• Knowledge of and experience in working across geographic and cultural boundaries

• Fluent in English with excellent written and verbal communication skills and experience in a variety of media (speeches, fact sheets, briefings, executive presentations, news releases, etc)

Desirable for the role:

• Expertise in Rare Diseases

• Experience with medical product and data communications/news flow

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.

Hybrid Working

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working give 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. 

So, what’s next?

Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you!

Competitive salary and benefits package on offer.

Where can I find out more?

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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 authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.