Director, CVRM Communications (Weight Management)

AstraZeneca plc; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 147,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc in Cambridge, MA seeks a Director of CVRM Communications to shape global strategies for obesity/weight management within the Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism portfolio. You will partner with cross-functional teams to translate science into compelling communications across patients, clinicians, investors and media.

This hybrid role requires at least 8 years in pharma communications, exceptional writing, media relations and crises management, and the ability to influence senior

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 8+ years of pharma communications experience.
• Extensive media relations and patient advocacy experience.
• Deep understanding of product communications and campaigns for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute global communications plans from Phase I through launch for obesity/weight management assets.
• Build disease and asset narratives; produce releases and Q&As; train spokespeople.
• Collaborate with global teams and investor relations; engage external experts.
• Lead digital and social deployment; drive internal understanding across the organization.
• Lead crisis preparedness and measurement; optimize agencies and resources.

Skills

Media relations

Crisis management

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic communications

Scientific translation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Director, CVRM Communications (Obesity/Weight Management)

Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA

Global Corporate Affairs

Hybrid Work- on average 3 days a week from office

This Director, Communications role will be key in developing and executing innovative global communications strategies to support the AstraZeneca’s portfolio in Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), with a focus on obesity / weight management and metabolism, as the assets and combinations progress through development.

The Communications Director will be a key partner for the cross-functional global franchise teams and global product teams responsible for the clinical development and commercialization of obesity / weight management portfolio, working closely with policy functional leads, key markets and a broad mix of internal stakeholders across BioPharmaceuticals R&D and BBU, CVRM TA, Global Corporate Affairs, Global Medical Affairs, Investor Relations. The role will report to the Head, BioPharma R&D Corporate Affairs with a dotted line into the Head of Global Corporate Affairs, CVRM.

AstraZeneca’s weight management and metabolic portfolio is an important growth driver for the Company. Our ambition is to deliver a portfolio of simple, scalable, and sustainable solutions that improve health and wellbeing, reduce cardiometabolic risk, and protect organs in people living with weight-related diseases. AstraZeneca has a strong heritage and experience in CVRM disease. We have one of the broadest and deepest pipelines in the industry. This uniquely positions us to improve outcomes for people affected by obesity, overweight, and diabetes in the future. We are developing oral and injectable therapies, using different modalities and novel mechanisms to expand access and tailor treatment strategies. Obesity and weight-related diseases are an emerging and priority area for AstraZeneca, where there is growing scientific interest and opportunities to transform outcome for those living with disease. It is an area where AstraZeneca has ambitions to be a leading company by delivering the next wave of life-changing medicines.

What you'll do

• Develop and deliver global communications plans from Phase I through launch with consideration of the full franchise opportunity, including milestones, data readouts, regulatory events, congress presence, partnerships and competitive responses.
• Build compelling disease and asset narratives with clear messages and proof points; produce press releases, Q&As and materials for global and local use; prepare and train spokespeople.
• Collaborate with global/regional media and country teams; support investor communications with Investor Relations; engage external experts and investigators.
• Lead deployment across corporate digital/social channels, leveraging paid and organic opportunities.
• Drive internal understanding and engagement for obesity/weight programs; partner with leaders and Global Internal Communications.
• Build relationships and co-create programs with patient groups to inform strategy and drive shared agendas in coordinate with the Director of Advocacy, CVRM
• Lead issues preparedness and crisis management, including scenario planning, training, tracking and alignment across markets.
• Optimize agencies and resources; set objectives and KPIs; ensure strong project management and measurement.

Essential for the role

• Bachelor’s degree
• At least 8 years of communications experience primarily in pharmaceutical product communications
• Significant pharmaceutical product and healthcare communications experience (in-house or agency) for the global biopharma industry; strong media relations, issues management and patient advocacy experience.
• Deep understanding of product and/or pipeline communications, and the communications and campaign required for reaching a wide range of key audiences including patients, healthcare professionals, the financial community (investors, analysts), media, employees, partners, academics and researchers, patient advocacy groups and policymakers.
• Expert product communications writing; digital communications proficiency; internal communications and change experience; ability to translate science for varied audiences; strategic and hands‑on delivery.
• Creativity and ability to develop compelling campaigns
• Proven ability to influence and counsel across senior, cross-functional, and global teams; coaching capability; cultural agility.
• Ability to work effectively within a highly matrixed organisation, building strong, trusted relationships and establishing ways of working that support successful delivery against strategy.

Desirable for the role

• OTC / DTC communications experience
• Science or Journalism related education

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 $146,716.80 - 220,075.20 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.

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.