External Communications Lead - Health Policy & Access

Astrazeneca; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ABPI compliance training

Job summary

AstraZeneca seeks an External Communications Manager in London to translate complex healthcare topics into compelling narratives. You will shape communications across R&I, V&I, and CVRM, coordinating with Therapy Leads and Corporate Affairs to drive campaigns and policy milestones.

You will draft press materials and briefings, manage agencies, and craft digital content for diverse audiences, supporting patient access and healthcare outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience developing and delivering external communications programmes and campaigns.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for diverse audiences and channels.
• Translate priorities into practical communications plans and deliverables.
• Proactive, entrepreneurial instincts to develop innovative strategies and tactics.
• Ability to understand and communicate complex healthcare, policy and sustainability issues.
• Experience with cross-functional teams, senior stakeholders, agencies and partners in a matrix environment.
• Strong organisational and project-management skills, managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience creating content for digital and social media channels.
• Ability to brief, coordinate and manage agencies within timelines and budgets.
• Monitor activity, interpret engagement data and use insights to improve delivery.
• Commitment to ABPI Code and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience in pharmaceutical or life sciences industries.
• Experience supporting proactive media relations and issues-management."
• Knowledge of respiratory, immunology, infectious diseases, cardiovascular, renal or metabolic priorities.
• Experience communicating policy, market-access, NHS, reimbursement issues.
• Experience developing communications for partnerships or external events.
• Experience preparing briefing materials for senior leaders.
• Experience using analytics to measure impact.
• Degree or equivalent in communications or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Integrated external communications plans across the UK portfolio.
• Lead campaigns, reports, policy and access milestones, partnerships, roundtables and events.
• Draft press releases, media statements, Q&As and key messages for varied audiences.
• Translate complex policy, access, scientific and sustainability issues into accessible communications.
• Develop digital content for approved activities and optimise reach.
• Shape proactive narratives and prepare materials for media engagement.
• Prepare external briefing materials and talking points for leadership engagements.
• Engage policymakers, NHS stakeholders, healthcare professionals and patient groups.
• Manage calendars, timelines, approvals, trackers and dependencies for timely delivery.
• Coordinate agencies and internal contributors within scope, quality, timelines and budgets.
• Track outputs and impact; apply insights to improve effectiveness.

Skills

External communications

Campaign management

Content creation

Media relations

Policy & access knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Digital & social content

Project management

Agency management

Data analytics

Regulatory compliance

Pharma industry experience

Education

Degree or equivalent in communications

Job description

AstraZeneca seeks an External Communications Manager in London to translate complex healthcare topics into compelling narratives. You will shape communications across R&I, V&I, and CVRM, coordinating with Therapy Leads and Corporate Affairs to drive campaigns and policy milestones.

You will draft press materials and briefings, manage agencies, and craft digital content for diverse audiences, supporting patient access and healthcare outcomes.