AstraZeneca

Director R&D & Early Pipeline Communications

AstraZeneca$146K — $220K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in a scientific field
  • Minimum 8 years in pharmaceutical or biotech industry
  • Proven track record in impactful multi-channel communications
  • Experience creating scientific content around early pipeline assets
  • Strong understanding of media relations
  • Familiarity with regional and market communication strategies
  • Exemplary written and verbal communication skills in English
  • Willingness to travel globally between AstraZeneca Strategic Science Centres

Responsibilities

  • Develop integrated external communication plans to enhance AstraZeneca's scientific reputation
  • Coach Expert Function Leaders on scientific message communication
  • Create global communication plans for major milestones and events
  • Craft compelling narratives and produce diverse materials for internal and external use
  • Support executive communications and external engagements for R&D leaders
  • Highlight scientific publications and promote scientists on digital platforms
  • Identify proactive communications opportunities aligned with strategic goals
  • Build partnerships with patient groups to inform and drive strategic agendas
  • Assist local markets in communicating scientific programs effectively
  • Manage PR efforts related to R&D science and technology
  • Collaborate with various teams for comprehensive communication efforts
  • Lead crisis management and preparedness initiatives
  • Establish evaluation measures for communication success

Benefits

  • Flexible working arrangements with an average of three days in-office
  • Access to various retirement programs
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Generous paid time off including vacation and holidays
  • Potential for short-term bonuses and equity-based awards
Full Job Description

Director R&D & Early Pipeline Communications

Boston, MA

Global Corporate Affairs

Hybrid Work- on average 3 days a week from office

Whatyoulldo

The R&D Communications Director will support Global Corporate Affairs to help tell the R&D story externally, uncovering, developing and delivering opportunities to showcase the great science and outstanding people we have in our teams, whilst also supportkey areas of the early pipeline. This will help position AstraZeneca as the best science-led organisation in the industry, building confidence in our science and pipeline,andasthe partner and employer of choice.

The role will involve working closely with R&D scientistsand Therapy Area Leadsfrom discovery to development, as well as Global Corporate Affairs colleagues, developing multi-layered campaigns across digital,socialand traditional media to bring the science of drug discovery and development to life. The content and stories you develop will need to resonate with a wide range of primarily external audience groups including collaborators,recruitsand media.

  • Development and delivery of an integrated external communications plans to strengthen AstraZenecas reputation as a scientific leader in science, DiseaseAreasand technology platforms, across external stakeholders & channels

  • Provide communications support and coaching to Expert Function Leaders, likeDiscovery Sciences and Clinical operationswith regard tocommunicating scientific messages and external communicationsgenerally e.g.social

  • Develop and deliver global communications plans from Phase IIb through launch, including milestones, data readouts, regulatory events, congress presence,partnershipsand competitive responses.

  • Build compelling disease and asset narratives with clear messages and proof points; produce press releases, Q&As and materials for global and local use.

  • Serves as counsellor and support for executivecommunications/externalengagements for R&D leaders. Includes supporting key activities such as media interviews and speaking engagements.

  • Showcaseand amplify scientific publications relating to R&D science and tech, and highlight and support scientists across our digital platforms

  • Ability toidentifyproactive comms opportunities and devise tactics thatshowcaseR&D and are aligned with the overall strategy

  • Build relationships and co-create programs with patient groups to inform strategy and drive shared agendas.

  • Support the markets to effectively communicate about AstraZenecas scientific programmes andDisease Areas

  • Support PR execution for partnering activities related to R&D science and tech, including development of press releases, statements, Q&As. Prepare for potential issues.

  • Collaborate with global/regional media and country teams; support investor communications with Investor Relations; engage external experts and investigators.

  • Lead issues preparedness and crisis management, including scenario planning, training,trackingand alignment across markets.

  • Establish measures of success and implement relevant evaluation tools for all communications activities

Essentialfor the role

  • Bachelors Degree in a scientific field

  • Minimum 8 years of experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry

  • Establishedtrack recordof delivering impactful, content rich communications programmes across multiple channels and stakeholders with demonstrable measures of success

  • Understanding and experience of creating scientific / technical content around early pipeline assets

  • Experience working with the media

  • Experience of working with regional and market communicators to support excellent local delivery

  • Exemplary written and verbal communications skillsin English

  • Team worker withhigh levelof personal accountability

  • Ability to undertake global travel, primarily between other AstraZeneca Strategic Science Centres

Desirable for the role

  • Masters degree in a scientific field

  • Entrepreneurial approach and desire to challenge the status quo

  • Confidence around senior leaders and comfortable delivering alternative viewpoints

  • Strong channel management, digitalskillsand knowledge of technology options

  • Able to develop andmaintainnetworks across business and cultural boundaries

Office Working Requirements

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. 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 ambitious world.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $146,716.80 - 220,075.20 USD. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentivesan 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.

#LI-Hybrid

Date Posted

18-Jun-2026

Closing Date

01-Jul-2026

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company that specializes in the research, development, and manufacturing of prescription drugs. The company was formed in 1999 through the merger of Astra AB and Zeneca Group plc. AstraZeneca's products are used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes. The company has operations in over 100 countries and employs more than 76,000 people worldwide. AstraZeneca is committed to developing innovative medicines that improve the health and well-being of people around the world.
Learn more about AstraZeneca
Size
83,100 employees
Market Cap
$211.5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$3.1 billion
Founded
1999
5 Year Trend
+10.2%
Revenue
$26.6 billion
NASDAQ

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