This Director role in UK Corporate Affairs builds and shares the story of AstraZeneca in its home country. From our ground breaking R&D at The Disc in Cambridge, to large-scale manufacturing in Macclesfield and our rapidly growing commercial and global functions, this position connects the full UK footprint into one compelling narrative.
The role works directly with the UK Leadership Team and the UK Corporate and Government Affairs team. It drives internal engagement, external reputation, and digital presence. This helps ensure UK activities are clearly understood, valued, and aligned with AstraZeneca’s global strategy.
Ready to influence how our science, our people and our impact are seen across the UK and beyond?
Accountabilities
* Lead the development and delivery of a UK-wide internal engagement programme that builds a shared understanding of AstraZeneca’s achievements in the UK and their relevance to the global strategy.
* Work closely with the UK Corporate and Government Affairs group, UK Marketing Company, Global Media Relations, and global communications colleagues. Plan and deliver coordinated internal and external UK communications. This covers communications for the UK Chair and priority topics related to UK strategic priorities and Life Sciences leadership.
* Lead the creation and rollout of UK corporate communications materials, including the annual UK Impact Report, ensuring a consistent voice across UK communicators and the UK Leadership Team.
* Lead the reputation pillar for the UK Leadership Team, providing regular updates at quarterly meetings on key activities, risks and opportunities.
* Build and implement the UK strategy for corporate digital and social communications, curating content that highlights our science, scientists, contribution to the UK and early talent, while using existing assets where possible.
* Act as Communications Lead for the central UK Issues Management Team, owning UK crisis management planning and leading communications around issues and crises.
* Build and maintain a strong network of communicators across all UK sites, leading the UK communications network to ensure cohesive, timely and aligned UK-wide communications.
* Play an active role in the Global Corporate Communications Taskforce, helping embed common processes, messages and campaigns across UK sites.
* Lead the Young Health Programme (YHP) UK, maintaining a close partnership with Barnardo’s and providing direction to the YHP UK Programme Co-ordinator and Active Science lead for this flagship philanthropic initiative.
Essential Skills/Experience
* Track record of delivering integrated, multi-channel communications strategies and plans in support of business priorities to achieve tangible outcomes
* Fluency in English (written and spoken) and an excellent eye for detail
* Experience of leading different internal and external stakeholder relationships at all levels
* Ability to manage conflicting priorities, partner and colleague expectations and deliver consistently high-quality outputs to agreed budgets and KPIs
* First-rate interpersonal, coordination, collaboration, organization and multi-tasking skills
* Ability in influencing colleagues and senior leaders across organisations
* Experience of working in a highly regulated sector, ideally in life sciences or health
* Credible media relations experience and public relations background, with demonstrated results within a leading company, agency, government or NGO
* Track record of leading communications around corporate reputation matters, issues and crisis management
* Can effectively delegate and manage 3rd parties to deliver outputs
* Ability to work under pressure and prioritise accordingly
AstraZeneca offers the chance to work with respected experts who are trusted across the enterprise, influencing decisions that shape both the organisation and the wider external environment; it is a place where specialist skills are valued, entrepreneurial thinking is encouraged, policy makers are engaged thoughtfully, development is actively supported, flexibility and wellbeing matter, and work has a clear connection to patients, society and the planet.
If this opportunity to lead impactful corporate communications in AstraZeneca’s home country excites you, apply now to help shape our story in the UK!
Date Posted
01-May-2026
Closing Date
14-May-2026
Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.
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