Corporate Affairs Lead R&IV&I

Corporate Affairs Lead - R&I/V&I

Location: Kings Cross London UK

At AstraZeneca (AZ) science compels us to push the boundaries of what is possible to turn science into life-changing medicines for patients who need them deliver breakthrough science by creating thriving vibrant and open science centres where our scientists are free to pursue their ideas and collaborate both with colleagues and our academic and industry partners.

Corporate Affairs Lead - R&I/V&I is a strategic innovative and forward-thinking leader responsible for driving AstraZeneca UKs reputation stakeholder relationships digital engagement therapy area aligned communications campaigns and policy influence across the enterprise. This role ensures AstraZeneca navigates the increasingly complex UK healthcare environment engages key external audiences advocates corporate affairs interests to deliver critical business and patient outcomes.

The postholder will combine public policy patient advocacy and communications expertise with digital fluency ensuring AstraZeneca UK maximises its impact influence and connectivity with key stakeholders (NHS media government patient groups policymakers leading HCPs).

Accountabilities:-

Strategic Leadership & Corporate Affairs

• The Corporate Affairs Lead will design and execute an integrated therapy area (TA) specific corporate affairs strategy ensuring alignment with business objectives and patient-centricity. Accountabilities will include:

  • Developing and leading the UK Corporate Affairs therapy area plan across media policy advocacy and digital engagement optimising for AstraZenecas commercial and corporate priorities including innovation and patient access

  • Proactively identifying reputational risks and opportunities and developing tactical responses to shape the external environment

  • Acting as the company spokesperson and ambassador in key external forums and collaborations with government NHS patient groups third parties and digital influencers

  • Ensuring a unified compelling and on-brand corporate presence across all media digital and stakeholder channels

Public Policy Advocacy & External Influencing

• Accountable for designing and advancing policy interests aligned to AstraZenecas business and science agenda. This includes:

  • Developing robust evidence-based positions and recommendations on key NHS and UK policy issues informed by cross-functional collaboration and external insights

  • Briefing policymakers external partners and policy influencers on AZs priorities products and contributions with a focus on patient access system efficiency and innovation

  • Representing AZ in high-level policy meetings parliamentary groups and within external industry networks ensuring the organisation is a trusted proactive presence

  • Partnering with patient groups HCPs and advocacy organisations to shape health policy and access initiatives while supporting field teams with insight and guidance on the evolving policy landscape

  • Delivering or supporting high-profile events campaigns and evidence projects that support AZs business and therapeutic priorities

Media and communications leadership

• Design proactive and reactive media strategies aligned to corporate strategies to deliver against TA specific objectives. This includes:

  • Delivery of strategic milestone communications

  • Thought leadership articles in traditional and digital channels

  • Reactive issues communications as required

  • Where appropriate above brand campaigns including disease awareness campaigns

Digital Customer Engagement Excellence

• Lead the strategy and delivery of digital customer engagement:

  • Designing and leading the implementation of digital customer and stakeholder engagement plans aligned with integrated brand and corporate objectives

  • Optimising use of digital and AI/GenAI platforms to drive insight-driven engagement and bring next-best content and customer actions to life

  • Overseeing digital asset and campaign delivery SEO excellence data integration content factory workflow and driving measurable high-impact engagement

Partnership Collaboration & Innovation

• Building networks and partnerships that extend AZs reach and enhance stakeholder outcomes:

  • Managing effective relationships with key UK pharma influencersgovernment NHS patient groups media digital and agency partners and industry bodies (eg ABPI NHS Confederation)

  • Collaborating with commercial brand medical digital and IT colleagues to integrate digital engagement and policy into business planning

  • Identifying and testing innovative digital and engagement approaches sharing learnings across the business and global teams

Develops and manages Government Parliamentary patient group and senior NHS relationships

• Understands the external environment potential governmental and NHS future developments and especially the link between political factors and NHS decision-making

• Develops relationships with key stakeholders In Government Westminster and NHS England and key patient organisations who can support shared public policy objectives aligned to UKMC and Government/NHS priorities

• Ensures these relationships are used to support the development and implementation of the Government and NHS Relations strategy

• Manages AZs responses to Government and Parliamentary consultations on key issues relevant to UKMC priorities

Supports the Brand teams in key areas (CV Diabetes Oncology Respiratory) by developing and implementing policy & advocacy plans aligned to their priorities

• Works with Brand teams Market Access and other internal stakeholders to develop policy priorities to input to Brand plans and the Government and NHS Relations strategy

• Implements stakeholder engagement plans with relevant policymakers in Government Parliament and NHS England to achieve policy priorities

• Working both at a company level and through the ABPI shapes the policy environment to encourage greater uptake of innovation in the NHS in preparation for emerging AZ portfolio

Manages and coordinates comms materials & campaigns including digital comms

• Develops and implements integrated communications plans across multiple channels ensuring alignment on key objectives and programmes with cross functional teams

• Oversaw the creation approval and distribution of high-impact communications materials including press releases web content and social media assets.

• Led end-to-end management of communications campaigns collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver timely and engaging content for both internal and external audiences.

• Utilized digital communications platforms and analytics to optimize outreach strategies measure campaign effectiveness and continuously improve audience engagement.

Development of AZ policy positions

• Works with AZUK stakeholders such as the Brand teams Market Access and medical teams to develop policy positions on key commercial issues (both brand related and wider corporate issues)

• Identifies a simple and effective means to communicate those policy positions to the rest of the business

Supports internal communications relevant to therapy area

• Collaborated closely with brand teams to create and deliver tailored internal communications that educate engage and inspire employees around key brand initiatives and campaigns.

• Developed clear and compelling internal messaging slide decks newsletters and FAQs to support brand launches updates and priority projects within the organization.

• Contributes to briefing senior leaders and content development for internal conferences relevant to therapy area

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

• Proven senior experience in corporate affairs public policy digital engagement or a closely related field within UK pharmaceuticals biotech or healthcare

• Deep understanding of NHS policy UK healthcare and political systems and patient advocacy

• Strategic and analytical problem solver able to operate at pace and deal with ambiguity and complexity across corporate commercial and reputational issues

• Successful track record of leading mentoring and developing cross-functional or matrix teams

• Superb stakeholder engagement influencing written and verbal communication skills

• Operational compliance and budget management experience with ability to develop compelling business cases

• Knowledge of medical legal and regulatory frameworks for external stakeholder and digital engagement in pharma
  

Desirable:

• Previous experience of working in Parliament or in a government affairs-related role

• Previous experience of working in or with the NHS ABPI or policy/advocacy agencies

• Experience working on disease brand or therapy area launches and life cycle management

• Formal qualifications in Public Affairs Communications Marketing or Health Policy

When we put unexpected teams in the same room we ignite ambitious thinking with the power to inspire life-changing -person working gives us the platform we need to connect work at pace and challenge perceptions. Thats why we work on average a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesnt mean were not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and high-reaching world.

Why AstraZeneca

Join a hardworking distributed team thats powering AstraZeneca to better serve patients every day. The fuel behind our evolving rapidly growing enterprise were here to help unlock the power of what science can do and ultimately have a big impact on patients lives. We offer countless opportunities for growth rewarding our successes collectively across the business. Our generous benefits package showcases the businesss appreciation of our long-term dedication.

Ready to make an impact Apply today to become a part of our diverse team!

Where can I find out more

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Closing Date