ACCOUNTABILITIES:

The Director leads implementation of external communications strategies, with a primary focus on media relations while also contributing to broader efforts to shape AstraZeneca’s external reputation. The role supports planning and execution aligned to the priorities of the International and Europe & Canada regions, and those of Global Media Relations (GMR). It provides strategic communications counsel, assessment, integrated planning and execution in support of senior leaders, Therapeutic Areas (TA), and functional/cross-functional objectives. The Director plays a key role in shaping external perceptions of AstraZeneca by proactively leading media engagement around key TA/brand achievements, major initiatives, policies and issues – reinforcing the company’s science-led reputation. The role also involves assessing the competitive, media, and overall external landscape to use external communication opportunities and identify issues to be mitigated.

• Develops and drives media relations campaigns and ongoing communication for use with media across the International and Europe & Canada regions to promote AstraZeneca, our brands, and other initiatives.
• Builds and maintains relationships with key regional and national, business, trade, and broadcast media outlets/reporters.
• Serves as spokesperson for company on company topics, news flow, and issues, while proactively pitching media and responding to media requests.
• Develops statements, press releases, and executive messages to reflect the company’s position on various proactive and reactive matters, including material/share-price sensitive events.
• Coaches senior leaders on media interview techniques/external speaking skills and supports senior leaders on media and speaking engagements.
• Collaborates closely with internal TA colleagues to ensure brand messages are proactively shared with top-tier contacts and appropriately pulled through in all corporate external communications activities.
• Helps lead issues management and crisis preparedness activities for situations that could adversely impact AstraZeneca.
• Supports in developing and implementing a digital channel strategy for social, blog and website.
• Develops and maintains, in close collaboration with the in-country affiliates, a media and social media measurement approach to evaluate progress against AstraZeneca’s corporate reputation objectives.
• Evaluates capabilities of in-country spokespeople and media relations capabilities and develops and leads capability building programmes.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:

• 10-15+ years of hands-on experience in leading proactive/reactive media relations programmes on behalf of a multinational company, involving complex regulatory, legal, financial, etc. issues – including litigation and business results.
• A track record of maintaining strong relationships with financial, pharma trade and consumer media.
• Previous employment in a regional or global level role.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, compelling messages across channels.
• Experience partnering with senior leaders to support media interviews and their effectiveness in other executive external engagements.

DESIRABLE SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:

• Knowledge of pharmaceutical and/or healthcare industry
• Prior journalism experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or a related field.

• Develops and drives media relations campaigns and ongoing communication for use with media across the International and Europe & Canada regions to promote AstraZeneca, our brands, and other initiatives.
• Builds and maintains relationships with key regional and national, business, trade, and broadcast media outlets/reporters.
• Serves as spokesperson for company on company topics, news flow, and issues, while proactively pitching media and responding to media requests.
• Develops statements, press releases, and executive messages to reflect the company’s position on various proactive and reactive matters, including material/share-price sensitive events.
• Coaches senior leaders on media interview techniques/external speaking skills and supports senior leaders on media and speaking engagements.
• Collaborates closely with internal TA colleagues to ensure brand messages are proactively shared with top-tier contacts and appropriately pulled through in all corporate external communications activities.
• Helps lead issues management and crisis preparedness activities for situations that could adversely impact AstraZeneca.
• Supports in developing and implementing a digital channel strategy for social, blog and website.
• Develops and maintains, in close collaboration with the in-country affiliates, a media and social media measurement approach to evaluate progress against AstraZeneca’s corporate reputation objectives.
• Evaluates capabilities of in-country spokespeople and media relations capabilities and develops and leads capability building programmes