Director of Scientific Communications and Engagement, Oncology R&D

Company: AstraZeneca
Location: Montgomery Village
Posted on: July 1, 2025

Job Description:

Are you an effective and creative strategic communicator? Do you have experience supporting transformative change across global organizations? Do you enjoy working with a diverse range of people? Are you passionate about scientific advances? This is a fantastic opportunity to lead the internal science engagement and communications strategy and tactical delivery for our global, multi-site Oncology Regulatory Science, Strategy and Excellence (ORSSE) Function at AstraZeneca. Working with diverse stakeholders, including scientists, senior leaders, and corporate affairs, you will use proven and innovative mechanisms to bring our strategy and portfolio to life and inspire communities as we work towards achieving our bold ambition for 2030. Through creative and impactful communications, the successful candidate will contribute to our ambition of building a culture of learning and transparency. ORSSE is going through an exciting transformation to elevate our regulatory science and deliver a dynamic, future-ready, expertise-focused model, and this role will be a significant partner in the change and communications support for this initiative. This role will act as a key partner and executive comms counsel for the SVP, providing dedicated strategic communications and support to this innovative, progressive, and highly visible leader. Working with a diverse range of stakeholders, you will develop an exciting internal communications agenda featuring innovative solutions to enhance employee engagement and tell the ORSSE stories across all our therapy areas. You will partner with R&D corporate affairs to align and shape science communications that enhance the external reputation of this organization and AstraZeneca. Accountabilities Define and implement the internal science communications and engagement strategy for ORSSE, working closely with diverse stakeholders across AstraZeneca including the Senior Vice President, Business Planning & Operations leads, and the Leadership Teams. Responsible for the overarching internal editorial calendar and messaging to raise the visibility of ORSSE achievements (e.g., milestones) and to communicate our scorecard progress. Provide strategic leadership to shape our broader ORSSE internal communications strategy (events, awards, overarching campaigns). Work directly with the SVP and her leadership team to define the strategic focus and develop content for internal and external engagements (e.g., external scientific presentations and Town Hall meetings). Support the SVP with her external and internal scientific presentations. Lead the strategy for enhancing engagement of ORSSE leaders across our global sites and into broader R&D communities. Strong immersion in the scientific portfolio and project pipeline, understanding and championing the innovative scientific breakthroughs. Drive innovative solutions (including digital media) to communicate our transformation, scorecard, and scientific priorities and bring the ORSSE science to life. Overall accountable for delivery of key business reports to capture scientific achievements/deliverables. Tactical delivery of key comms tactics including video creation/editing, material/narrative creation, and speaker briefing. Partner with Oncology R&D corporate affairs to shape external communications to further enhance the external scientific reputation of ORSSE. Work as a strong, matrix stakeholder manager to deliver in a collaborative and engaging manner leading to successful delivery against goals. Significant focus on leading change and transformation communications including the creation and implementation of effective plans that drive engagement across the organization. Focused engagement and partnership with broad Leadership Team members to develop compelling change narratives and messaging that respond to the evolving needs of the ORSSE organization. Establish broad change/comms enterprise engagement initiatives that align with organizational goals, ensuring consistent and impactful communication throughout change. Essential Skills/Experience BSC in life sciences Scientific knowledge in the Oncology field or related areas Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English Proven capability to clearly articulate complex scientific data into effective and compelling communication that is appropriate for the level of audience Broad knowledge of the pharmaceutical drug discovery and development process 5 years Experience working as a senior communicator directly supporting a highly visible and senior leader/executive Prior pharmaceutical/healthcare experience in a strategic communications role Experience leading change communications Strong influencing, networking, and team leading skills with all levels of peers and colleagues A proven track record of delivering tasks in a timely manner Experience in working in a complex, fast-paced, high-performing team Experience of supporting executive comms across digital and social media channels Proven experience in change and transformation communications with a track record of leading the creation and implementation of effective change communications plans that drive engagement across the organization Deep experience of being a leading member of a change team to deliver successful transformation across global teams Exceptional ability to engage with senior members of Leadership Teams, collaborating to develop compelling narratives and messaging that respond to the evolving needs of the organization Demonstrated expertise in establishing broader enterprise engagement initiatives that align with organizational goals, ensuring consistent and impactful communication throughout the change process Desirable Skills/Experience Understanding of external communication requirements with particular focus on social media and traditional media engagement The annual base pay for this position ranges from 138,400.00 - 207,600.00 USD Annual (80% - 120%). Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors. 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. At AstraZeneca, we follow the science. Our teams are empowered to push boundaries, explore new frontiers, and make bold decisions driven by patient outcomes. With a renewed focus on Oncology since 2013, weve achieved significant successes with seven new medicines. We continue to lead with expertise, publishing findings in high-impact journals. Our investment in R&D fuels our ambition to deliver six new molecular entities by 2025. Join us in our mission to eliminate cancer as a cause of death. Ready to make an impact? Apply now! 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 authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

Keywords: AstraZeneca, Sterling , Director of Scientific Communications and Engagement, Oncology R&D, PR / Public Relations , Montgomery Village, Virginia