Associate Director, RDU IT Communications and Change Management

This role offers an outstanding opportunity to lead communication and change management efforts within Alexion-Rare Disease Unit IT, crafting the organization’s transformational journey. As the Associate Director of RDU IT Communications and Change Management, you will create and implement strategies that enhance employee engagement, foster innovation, and drive performance. Your efforts will ensure seamless communication of RDU IT transformation, digital innovation, and AI adoption, aligning with organizational goals. By delivering impactful messaging and fostering collaboration, you will strengthen customer engagement and position RDU IT as a key enabler of business success.

Accountabilities:

Develop and implement the RDU IT critical communications plan, ensuring alignment with business priorities.

Lead internal and external communication activities for the Head of RDU IT, collaborating with outsourced creative services, and other key collaborators.

Partner with the Head of RDU IT and senior leadership team to create integrated communication plans that support RDU IT strategy and priorities.

Plan, develop, and deliver flagship RDU IT events, including townhalls, virtual and in-person leader meetings, lead playbook, blogs/vlogs, organizational announcements, awards submissions, and communication assets.

Serve as the steward of messaging, storytelling, and branding for RDU IT, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with strategic goals.

Enhance communication and change management capabilities by upskilling RDU IT employees to improve collaboration, adaptability, business outcomes, and career growth.

Strengthen collaborator engagement by fostering alignment on strategic goals through tailored messaging and meaningful interactions.

Streamline communication platforms, workflows, and practices to improve efficiency, prioritize effectively, and deliver high-quality outcomes.

Develop and implement best-practice change communication strategies to support RDU IT transformation and organizational initiatives.

Provide experienced communication support to RDU IT collaborators, highlighting transformative initiatives and success stories using diverse media channels.

Collaborate with Alexion Corporate and Global IT Communication teams to implement change enablement and communication plans.

Ensure all communications reflect RDU IT and Alexion business priorities, align with AstraZeneca’s corporate brand, and maintain a unified look and feel.

Actively contribute as a member of the RDU IT Leadership Team, providing insights and expertise on communication strategies.

Run tools and processes to measure the effectiveness of communication efforts and change initiatives, driving continuous improvement.

Oversee and manage contract resources to support communication activities, ensuring quality, compliance, and successful delivery.

Essential Skills/Experience:

-Bachelor's Degree

-7+ years of relevant experience

-Demonstrated communications experience, including 5+ years in leadership role motivating change and communication strategies.

-Proven success in fast-paced global communications, delivering innovative, engaging strategies to achieve measurable outcomes and drive organizational impact.

-Extensive experience in employee and leader engagement, digital, change communications, event management, and strategic campaign execution.

-Advanced proficiency in creating compelling PowerPoint presentations with attention to detail, design aesthetics, storytelling, and brand alignment.

-Experienced writer and editor skilled at crafting clear, compelling messages tailored to audiences, using multi-channel communication skills, with expertise in digital tools, social media.

-Strong ability to prioritize, manage conflicting demands, and consistently deliver high-quality outputs under tight deadlines.

-Demonstrated expertise in change management, transformation strategies, and governance, driving measurable results for enterprise-wide initiatives.

-Resilient, proactive, self-motivated leader with exceptional problem-solving skills and a collaborative, flexible approach to global teamwork.

-Proven ability to influence, negotiate, and communicate effectively with senior leadership and diverse global teams.

-Skilled in measuring communication effectiveness, fostering collaboration, and advancing organizational priorities through essential communication and change management initiatives.

-Strong knowledge of emerging technologies, including Generative AI, with experience applying them to communication strategies.

-Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and advanced communication design tools for producing high-quality, impactful materials.

-Skilled in website design and content management to create engaging and user-friendly digital experiences.

-Experienced in advising senior leaders on communication, change management, and collaborator engagement strategies.

-Proven track record in managing communication efforts for IT transformation and modernization initiatives.

-Strong understanding of change management methodologies and their integration into effective communication strategies.

-Passionate about fostering collaboration, driving performance culture, and delivering outcomes that support organizational transformation.

-The ability to build strong relationships across diverse styles, perspectives, and backgrounds, treating differences fairly and equitably while fostering an inclusive environment.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, or related field, or equivalent professional experience in a communications role

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 AstraZeneca, our work has a direct impact on patients' lives by transforming our ability to develop life-changing medicines. We empower the business to perform at its peak by combining cutting-edge science with leading digital technology platforms. Join us at this crucial stage of our journey as we become a digital and data-led enterprise. Here you can innovate freely while being supported all the way. 

Ready to make a difference? 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.