Director of Communications, Global Respiratory & Immunology

AstraZeneca; Gaithersburg (MD); Hybrid; USD 147,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Retirement programs

Paid time off

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Job summary

AstraZeneca is seeking a seasoned communications leader to drive global, integrated communications and patient advocacy for its respiratory and immune-mediated portfolio from Phase IIb onward. You will lead internal and external storytelling, issues management, and cross‑functional collaboration across global, regional, and country teams to support milestones and patient outcomes.

The role requires 10–15 years in pharma communications, deep knowledge of healthcare regulations, and a proven

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• 10–15 years in global pharma/life sciences communications.
• Deep understanding of healthcare regulations and stakeholder perspectives.
• Advisory to senior leaders with cross-functional influence.
• Experience in issues leadership and crisis management.
• Strong digital and internal communications track record.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver global communications plans from Phase 2b through launch with milestones, data readouts, regulatory events, congress presence, partnerships and driven responses.
• Build compelling disease and asset narratives with 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 relations; engage external experts and investigators.
• Lead deployment across corporate digital/social channels, including paid and organic opportunities.
• Drive internal understanding and engagement for key assets; partner with leaders and Global Internal Communications.
• Build relationships with patient groups to advise strategy and drive shared agendas with Policy & Advocacy for R&I.
• Lead issues preparedness and crisis management, including scenario planning, training, tracking and alignment across markets.
• Optimize agencies and resources; set objectives and metrics; ensure strong project management and measurement.

Skills

Strategic communications

Content development

Stakeholder engagement

Crisis management

Digital & social media

Leadership & mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory understanding

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Tools

PowerPoint

MS Office

Job description

AstraZeneca is committed to transforming care for some of the most and chronic respiratory and immune-mediated diseases. Our portfolio of inhaled and biologic medicines, and our pipeline for the future, seeks to address the challenges and vast unmet medical needs patients face today.

Job Summary

Drive global, integrated communications and patient advocacy for key assets within AstraZeneca’s respiratory and immune-mediated disease portfolio (from Phase IIb onward). Lead internal and external storytelling, and issues management to build reputation, support milestones, and engage key audiences across global, regional, and country teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy & Execution: Develop and deliver global communications plans from Phase 2b through launch with consideration of the full franchise, including milestones, data readouts, regulatory events, congress presence, partnerships and driven responses.
• Narrative & Content: 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.
• Stakeholder & Media Engagement: Collaborate with global/regional media and country teams; support investor communications with Investor Relations; engage external experts and investigators.
• Digital & Social: Lead deployment across corporate digital/social channels, using paid and organic opportunities.
• Internal Communications: Drive internal understanding and engagement for key assets; partner with leaders and Global Internal Communications.
• Patient Advocacy: Build relationships and co-create programs with patient groups to advise strategy and drive shared agendas in coordination with the Policy & Advocacy team for R&I
• Issues & Crisis: Lead issues preparedness and crisis management, including scenario planning, training, tracking and alignment across markets.
• Program Management: Optimize agencies and resources; set objectives and critical metrics; ensure strong project management and measurement.

Qualifications / Experience

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree; 10-15 years in global pharma/life sciences communications.
• Expertise: Proven delivery of strategic, content-rich programs; deep understanding of healthcare regulations, compliance, and stakeholder perspectives (physicians, payers, patients).
• Advisory & Influence: Credible advisor to senior leaders; adept at translating strategy into communications (including PowerPoint and digital); strong cross-functional and cross-geography influence.
• Issues Leadership: Significant experience in issues preparedness/management for global brands.
• Digital & Internal Comms: Strong track record in organic/paid digital; effective internal engagement and change communications.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Demonstrated leadership, coaching ability, and collaborative ways of working.
• Global Mindset: Cultural fluency; combines critical thinking with hands‑on delivery; skilled at simplifying scientific/technical content for varied audiences.

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 spark 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.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $146,716.80 to $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.

#LI-Hybrid

Date Posted

16-Oct-2026

Closing Date

15-Oct-2026

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.