Oncology Corporate Affairs Lead, UK

The Oncology Corporate Affairs Lead is a central point of counsel and corporate affairs insight for the Head and Leadership Team of AstraZeneca’s Oncology Business in the UK. The role is responsible for: defining and advancing specific policy interests aligned to AstraZeneca’s ability to innovate, launch new treatments and improve patient outcomes in the UK; growing our reputation as a leader in oncology; and our collaboration with patient advocacy organisations. Collaborating cross-functionally with medical and commercial colleagues, the role will drive forward our efforts to advance early detection of cancer, access to innovative treatments and ensure that patients across the UK can have equal access to high quality cancer care.

The Oncology Corporate Affairs Lead also contributes to the delivery of AstraZeneca’s wider Corporate Affairs strategy in the UK, developing evidence/argumentation and engaging stakeholders at national and local levels; representing AstraZeneca as a solutions-oriented partner to the NHS. An additional key responsibility is to lead on AstraZeneca’s work on national policy issues around access to medicines.A strong understanding of NICE decision making processes is highly desirable for this role.

This role reports to the UK Head of Corporate Affairs,and manages a team of four corporate affairs experts. 

What you will do

• Participation in Leadership Team meetings, contributing insights on the latest developments in NHS policy & the media landscape and counsel on expected evolution and appropriate areas for our business to engage

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Oncology Corporate Affairs Team, ensuring excellence across media activity, internal communications, policy, patient advocacy, and employee engagement

• Collaborate with Medical Affairs and Market Access colleagues and cross-functional teams to identify barriers to patient access to treatment and care and potential policy levers to address these, especially with regard to access to medicines

• Responsible for strategic, cross-functional corporate affairs leadership in Oncology, building personal expertise and engaging and coordinating our internal subject matter experts

• Brief relevant external stakeholders on relevant developments in AstraZeneca’s business, and identified challenges for patient access to appropriate treatment and care

• Represent AstraZeneca on high level working groups, as well as at meetings with journalists, officials, parliamentarians, patient organisations and other policy influencers

• Coordinate corporate affairs input into cross-functional business plans to integrate activities, with particular attention to patient centricity, health system priorities and compliance restrictions

• Ensure robust budget management and resource allocation to deliver operational accountabilities effectively

• Builds a network of relationships with policy influencers, journalists, patient organisations, and the oncology community to ensure strong understanding of external priorities and developments and ability to inform decisions where appropriate

• Stay informed about industry trends, emerging channels, and best practices in policy and communications to drive innovation and excellence

• Plays an active role in a vibrant global network of corporate affairs professionals in AstraZeneca to identify learnings from other countries, and share UK practices where relevant

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Essentialfor the role:

• Experience of engaging at the highest levels of organisations

• Deep understanding of NHS Policy, the UK political and media landscape

• Extensive experience in a relevant corporate affairs role

• Proven relationship development/management skills

• Clear strategic thinker with evidence of development and management of robust processes

• “Self-starter” with evidence of capability for matrix and cross-functional working

• Experience of successful leadership without authority

• Strong understanding of NICE & NHSE processes regarding decisions around access to medicines and current trends

• Deep understanding and existing relationships across relevant Government departments and NHS teams

Desirable for the role:

• Patient Group experience OR Pharmaceutical Industry Experience

• Line management experience

• Experience of working in oncology policy

• Relevant vocational qualifications or equivalent experience