Director of Communications, Obesity, CVRM at AstraZeneca

ASTRA ZENECA PHARMA LIMITED; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 147,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Health, dental, and vision coverage

Retirement programs

Paid time off

Job summary

AstraZeneca is seeking a Director of Communications, Obesity, CVRM, in Boston. The role focuses on global communications strategy for obesity/weight management within the CVRM portfolio, partnering with global franchise teams, policy leads, markets, and internal stakeholders across R&D and corporate affairs.

Hybrid work averages three days in the office. The role requires a strong background in pharmaceutical communications, media relations, and patient advocacy, with leadership across senior

Qualifications

• Strong media relations and issues management experience in pharma communications.
• Ability to translate scientific concepts for varied audiences and media.
• Proven ability to influence senior cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop global communications plans from Phase I through launch.
• Build disease/asset narratives with clear messages and proof points.
• Collaborate with global/regional media, investor relations, and country teams.

Skills

Media relations

Issues management

Patient advocacy

Digital communications

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Location: Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Job ID: R-257788

Date posted: 25/08/2026

Director of Communications, Obesity, CVRM

Boston, MA

Global Corporate Affairs

Hybrid Work - on average 3 days a week from the office

This Director, Communications role will be key in developing and executing innovative global communications strategies to support 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 the 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 outcomes for those living with the 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&A, 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 coordination 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 campaigns required for reaching a wide range of key audiences including patients, healthcare professionals, the financial community (investors, analysts), media, employees, partners, academics, 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 organization, 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.

Date Posted: 26-Aug-2026

Closing Date: 08-Sept-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.