Director, Business Partnering Communications
Do you have a passion for people, and the skills and capabilities to design, develop and implement communications strategies and programmes that will help us to inspire different audiences as AstraZeneca enters an exciting phase in its growth journey?
As a key member of the Global Internal & Business Partnering Communications team in Global Corporate Affairs (GCA), you’ll have the opportunity to do just that. You’ll provide high-quality strategic communications advice, challenge and support to the business areas you work with. By creating strong and trusted partnerships, and by building influential networks, you’ll act as the critical link between GCA and the business – ensuring communications is at the heart of planning and decision-making.
With a broad communication experience and skill set, you’ll develop and deliver integrated communications plans and strategies, drawing on the various disciplines from across GCA, and ensuring effective collaboration and co-ordination from the outset. In addition, you’ll enable long-term communication planning and horizon scanning. By building specialist knowledge within the areas you support, you’ll help GCA to proactively manage risks and opportunities, and influence decision-making at all levels.
As the Director of Business Partnering Communications, you will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communication strategies that directly support the objectives and priorities of Global Operations. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of stakeholder engagement, and the ability to drive impactful communication initiatives in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
In doing so, you must be proactive, willing to identify and develop innovative and appropriate solutions to meet the needs of the business and audiences across all parts of Global Operations and at all levels of seniority. You must also be able to gain the trust and respect of internal stakeholders who rely on your advice and guidance on communications matters. Excellent writing, project management, planning and multi-channel communications experience (particularly digital communications and analytics) is essential, with a sound Pharma background and a working knowledge of manufacturing and supply chain desirable recognising you will lead and provide counsel on messaging.
The often sensitive material content involved, means that you will be required to demonstrate exemplary personal judgment, initiative, agility and collaborative skills while working as part of a close-knit, high-performing and flexible team.
Key responsibilities
Lead execution of prioritised global communications activities in line with the Global Operations Communications Strategy and Annual Plan, including all employee webcasts, CEO/Global Operations awards.
Lead the development and delivery of integrated communications plans to advance organisational transformation.
Advise, coach and counsel internal stakeholders, including senior management, on events/issues that need to be communicated internally (including copy writing and speech writing for high-profile internal communications platforms).
Leverage the Global Operations communications network to maximise the impact of priority campaigns, activities and initiatives at the functional and enterprise-wide level.
Fully realise the engagement potential of AZ’s digital channels and strive to build their effectiveness, including delivery of improvements, rationalisation and simplification.
Act as the editor in chief for Ops TV (dedicated Global Operations video channel) – ensuring a steady stream of high impact video content.
Foster collaboration with other teams across GCA and the business (including IR and HR) to ensure consistent and aligned messaging, to ensure Global Operations contributes too, and pulls through global campaigns.
Lead communications related to supply/quality issues and site level incidents when required.
Support development of communications strategy, governance and capabilities across Global Operations and ensure alignment with external communications activities.
Measure the effectiveness of communication approaches and identify and deliver value-adding solutions to drive improvements.
Serve as a flexible Global Corporate Affairs needs when timely resource / prioritisation is required.
Engage and lead management of contract resources to support effective execution of communication activities as required. Oversees quality and compliance of work.
Knowledge and experience
Proven performer with at least 10 years of experience in internal communication or broader communications function in large scale multi-national companies.
Extensive stakeholder engagement experience, ability to build relationships at all levels and influence and present to, and influence, senior leader groups.
Track record of developing and delivering innovative and highly engaging communications to achieve tangible outcomes.
Experience of employee and leader communications and engagement plans and campaigns, change communication and event management.
Strong working knowledge of new media technologies with track record of use in internal communication activities.
Experience of managing complex issues/crises with international dimensions.
Experience in a multi-cultural, multi-national environment.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
Practical understanding of financial reporting and disclosure requirements at a UK publicly listed company a distinct advantage.
Experience of working in a highly regulated sector.
Capabilities and behaviours
Strong written and verbal communications skills, backed by comprehensive digital skills, and comfort using remote technologies.
Excellent stakeholder management, communication and presentation skills, with strong and influential personal credibility.
Excellent project management skills with proven ability to manage budgets, accounts and forecasts.
Sound judgment combined with strong interpersonal and influencing skills.
Ability to manage conflicting priorities, stakeholder & colleague expectations and deliver consistently high-quality outputs to agreed timescales.
Inquisitive mindset with well-developed critical/analytical abilities.
Strategic thinker looking outside for learning and ideas to ensure the most effective approaches are identified and considered.
Ability to instil confidence in others.
Proactive with high levels of self-motivation and personal accountability, bringing enthusiasm and energy to team, peer group and tasks.
Comfortable working independently and as part of a team.
Excellent eye for detail and upholding visual and verbal identity.
Resilient with a flexible approach.
Able to develop and maintain networks across business and cultural boundaries.
AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.
