Director, GPPM Communications & Engagement, Fixed Term Contract
Type: Fixed Term Contract – 18 Months
Introduction to role
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 colleagues as AstraZeneca enters an exciting phase in its growth journey?
As a key member of the Global Portfolio Project Management, Deal Finance and Business Development & Operations and Global 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, change management and decision-making within the Global Portfolio and Project Management (GPPM) function.
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. 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 Communications & Engagement Director for GPPM you will provide high-quality strategic communications advice and support to this critical function of AstraZeneca. GPPM is a global function within AstraZeneca that sits at the core of our business, connected to all teams and geographies around the world. The work they do is vital to our company’s future success, providing invaluable project management support to 150+ portfolio projects, across 80+ Global Projects Teams, ensuring smooth delivery and timely progression of our pipeline, and ultimately ensuring we continue to deliver life-changing medicines to patients. With recent leadership changes in GPPM, and with a revised strategy that has set a clear direction on how this team needs to evolve to continue to deliver for the business, there is a need to deliver focused communications and engagement activities to help bring colleagues on this journey.
With a collaborative approach and agile mindset, you’ll develop and deliver integrated communications plans and strategies to effectively manage change and enhance employee engagement across the GPPM function. You’ll deliver a comprehensive approach to communications planning that directly supports the objectives and priorities of GPPM and provide executive level communications support to the Senior Vice President (SVP), GPPM & Business Development.
Accountabilities
- Develop and implement a comprehensive communication strategy for GPPM to enhance employee engagement and advance organisational transformation over the next year – 18 months.
- Develop and implement creative engagement campaigns, aligned to the GPPM communication strategy, that delivers a step change in levels of employee engagement in GPPM.
- Lead the development and delivery of integrated communications plans on various milestones and activities to engage employees and support business needs.
- Lead the execution of prioritised communications and events in line with the GPPM Communications Strategy and Plan, including all employee Town Halls, GPPM awards and other events.
- Provide Executive level internal and external communications counsel and support to the SVP, GPPM & Business Development, including copy writing and speech writing.
- Collaborate with the SVP to build their internal and external profile, developing an engagement plan of high-profile moments and content types, and recommending key engagement opportunities.
- Advise, coach and counsel other internal stakeholders, specifically GPPM Leadership Team, on events/issues that need to be communicated internally.
- Build a GPPM communications network to help amplify priority campaigns, activities and initiatives at the functional and enterprise-wide level, while also helping to have a pulse on the GPPM function and know what colleagues are thinking.
- Fully realise the engagement potential of AZ’s digital channels and strive to build their effectiveness, including delivery of improvements, rationalisation and simplification for GPPM. Specifically, this involves leading on GPPM’s presence on our new primary digital channel, Workvivo, coming in Summer 2025.
- Foster collaboration with other teams across GCA and the business to ensure consistent and aligned messaging, to ensure GPPM contributes to, and pulls through global campaigns.
- Be the connector between GPPM and the Global Corporate Affairs team, specifically the representative on the Corporate Communications Taskforce to ensure alignment with Global activities and that GPPM plans are well represented.
- Ambassador of the AstraZeneca Global brand and core narrative. Ensuring all activities and messages developed for GPPM engagement are aligned to our Global Brand Guidelines and Company Message Framework.
- 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.
Essential Skills/Experience
• Proven performer with at least 10 years of experience in internal communication or broader communications function in large scale multi-national companies.
• Solid experience of managing change programmes and/ or organisational transformation in large scale multi-national companies.
• Extensive stakeholder engagement experience, ability to build relationships at all levels and influence and present to leader groups.
• Track record of developing and delivering innovative and highly engaging communications to achieve tangible outcomes.
• Experience of leading global impactful employee engagement campaigns and events.
• 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.
• Experience of working in a highly regulated sector.
Desirable Skills/Experience
• 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.
When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. 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.
Join an ambitious company that's on a mission to do more. Help shape our journey towards becoming a tech-enabled enterprise. Encouraged to look forward, think strategically, innovate, we influence progress today. We introduce new solutions through our investment in automated processes. By driving greater consistency and efficiency, we help accelerate our next chapter of growth.
If you're ready for an exciting challenge where you can make a real impact, apply today!
WHY JOIN US?
At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients, and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth, and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.
Help to shape our journey towards becoming a tech-enabled enterprise. Encouraged to look to the future, think strategically and innovate, we influence progress today. We are constantly introducing new solutions and technology through on our quest to grow through innovation. We love it here because put simply, we make a meaningful impact.
Technology at AstraZeneca is a home for purposeful disruptors. Apply now to learn more about this exciting opportunity with a world-renowned pharmaceutical brand!
SO, WHAT’S NEXT?
To be considered for this exciting opportunity, please complete the full application on our website at your earliest convenience – it is the only way that our Recruiter and Hiring Manager can know that you feel well qualified for this opportunity. If you know someone who would be a great fit, please share this posting with them.
Recognizing the importance of individualized flexibility, our ways of working allow employees to balance personal and work commitments while ensuring we continue to create a strong culture of collaboration and teamwork by engaging face-to-face in our offices 3 days a week. Our head office is purposely designed with collaboration in mind, providing space where teams can come together to strategize, brainstorm and connect on key projects.
Great People want to Work with us! Find out why:
Are you interested in working at AZ, apply today!
AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination. AstraZeneca is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Such accommodation is available on request in respect of all aspects of the recruitment, assessment and selection process and may be requested by emailing AZCHumanResources@astrazeneca.com.
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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.
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