Director of Patient Advocacy, CVRM

Introduction to role:

Join AstraZeneca, a leading biopharmaceutical company with a bold ambition to be leaders in our disease areas. We are seeking a Director of Patient Advocacy to lead the development and implementation of global patient advocacy group/non-profit strategy across key patient and professional groups spanning Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic (CVRM) diseases. This role requires strategic thinking, decision-making, and the ability to create shared agendas across different AstraZeneca functions, external patient advocacy/non-profit groups and with a priority focus on advancing policy reforms and engaging with policy makers.

The Patient Advocacy Director role will be responsible for aligning to and helping advance the global public policy strategy as a critical priority. Across the role, programmes are developed and delivered through collaboration with internal partners including the CVRM therapeutic area global team covering Commercial, Medical Affairs and Payer functions, and Corporate Affairs colleagues including, policy and communications at the global, regional and market-levels. The role will report to Global Head of Corporate Affairs, CVRM. If you're ready to make an impact, this is the place to do it!

Accountabilities:

You will lead the development and implementation of global patient advocacy/non-profit strategy across key patient and professional groups spanning CVRM diseases. You will work in close collaboration with policy colleagues to align all strategies and activates that advance our scorecard targets with a primary focus on advancing policy reforms.

• Develop and implement strategic partnerships with patient advocacy groups/NGOs/non-profits, aligning with AstraZeneca's priorities and managing agreements to ensure shared success.
• Based on close collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders, define and implement specific multi-year global/regional/local country patient advocacy programmes with quantifiable ambitions aligned to business priorities and policy agendas that improve earlier diagnosis and patients’ access to appropriate treatment and care.
• Drives implementation of agreed plans, co-accountable with colleagues and priority countries to realize advocacy goals with a focus on achieving policy reform targets.
• Support the development of robust evidence and argumentation to advance policy reform initiatives and access to innovation at therapeutic and above therapeutic levels. Includes supporting and/or contributing to peer reviewed publications, health system quality standards and consensus publications on the case for change and rationale/benefits of reform proposals.
• Oversees operational effectiveness of PAG/NGO relationships in therapeutic area, including development of and/or implement of relevant capabilities, standards and processes/systems.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Graduate - Bachelor’s or Master's degree with a minimum of ten years' experience/working knowledge of global Pharmaceutical market, NGOs, non-profits and innovative life sciences environment
• Extensive experience working for or with the biopharmeceutical industry, working with patient advocacy groups and other NGOs
• Expertise in delivering policy reforms in disease areas
• Deep understanding of healthcare systems and how to drive advocacy and healthcare policy change at country level
• Proven success in convening non-profit group coalitions
• Lead the creation and execution of successful disease campaigns targeted at specific audiences
• Experience / track record of successful projects realized across diverse countries
• Leadership capability with strong self-awareness and ability to identify winning strategies and solutions for multiple stakeholders
• Experience in developing cross-sector coalitions/partnerships (e.g. medical societies, academics, patient advocacy groups, NGOs) to support policy change
• Strategic problem solver with the ability to comprehend complex matters and chart a clear path forward
• Self-starting, independent, entrepreneurial attitude – a smart risk-taker who thrives on new challenges and on seeing things through to completion
• Eagerness and ability to collaborate with and mobilize different people and organizations; work effectively in a highly-matrixed organization and prioritise effectively
• Ability to communicate highly effectively with senior leadership, peers, as well as with a variety of team members
• Strong learning agility

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking. 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.

Why AstraZeneca

At AstraZeneca, you'll be part of a team of specialists that is valued and essential to our growth. We encourage entrepreneurial and innovative thinking in a creative yet rigorous environment. We craft the external environment, ensuring policy makers understand our industry when managing national and international frameworks. Our strength is in our global, diverse network. We work together seamlessly to solve challenges and make a meaningful impact. We value wellbeing and flexibility. You can expect to feel at home from the moment you join.

Are you ready to adapt and influence across our whole enterprise? Are you excited by the variety and potential to impact the business through specialist capabilities, technical expertise and strategically meaningful work? If so, apply today and join us in our mission to fundamentally change how respiratory and infectious diseases are prevented, diagnosed and treated!

The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $144,107 to $216,161. 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

31-Oct-2025

Closing Date

15-Nov-2025

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.

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.