Be empowered to be innovative and creative where difference is valued

Join a place built on innovation and creativity. Where different views and perspectives are welcomed and valued. An environment that champions inclusion, and teams that reflect the diversity of the communities that we serve.

Who we are

A high performing team, we are united and motivated by our shared purpose – to deliver life-changing medicines. We come to work each day to make a difference – to patients, society and our company.

What we do

We are a global, science-led BioPharmaceutical business and our innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.

How we do it

Committed to living our values – they guide our behaviours, actions and decisions, everyday.

Why we love it

This is the place to make an impact. Here we ensure everyone can reach their full potential, perform at their best and make a valued contribution to the enterprise.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The Publications Lead (Director of Scientific Publications), Early Respiratory & Immunology has direct accountability for the development and execution of strategic publication plans for drug projects entering and already in the early clinical phase (pre-clinical, translational, and up to phase IIb). As part of this role, the Publications Lead must have a strategic mindset as well as scientific curiosity in order to engage and collaborate with internal colleagues and external experts, scientists, investigators, journals, conference organizers and external bodies to deliver proactive publication and communication activities.

The role also collaborates and leads alignment across multiple functions in the business to deliver best practice training, drive innovation, and ensure the accuracy of metrics. Publications Lead is also further responsible for ensuring ethical compliance with AstraZeneca policy and external publication guidelines of the publications plans and deliverables, and they ensure that all publications represent transparent and fairly balanced communications that enhance the Company’s external scientific reputation.

• Design and facilitate project strategic workshops to ensure scientific stories and lexicons are aligned with both product and therapy area strategy through liaison with the cross-functional team and the therapy area leadership

• Lead the translation of scientific and early clinical data into appropriate and timely publications for scientists, healthcare professionals, and patients while ensuring that transparency requirements are met

• Lead a cross-functional publications team and serve as key internal and external point of contact regarding publication program status, ensuring proactive communication with key internal stakeholders, external scientists and investigators, and alliance partners

• Lead day-to-day management of assigned multiple publication plans, including budgeting and tracking, working closely with all members of key cross-functional product teams

• Collaborate effectively with high-level publications representatives in other therapy areas to lead agreement on guidelines, vision, and processes

• Provide publications and internal communications expertise, including the provision of training on best practices and the creation of new processes when required

• Manage the output, compliance and budget as per contract terms for vendor medical communication agencies responsible for key publication plan deliverables

• Keep up to date on external environment, with respect to the scientific literature, as well as publishing trends and best practice with all external codes and ethical standards in scientific and medical publishing

Essential Requirements:

• Demonstrated experience in medical communications gained through working in the pharmaceutical industry or a medical communications agency

• Bachelor’s degree in the biological or health sciences

• Familiarity with the drug development process, Good Publications Practice, ICMJE recommendations, and the peer-reviewed publication process

• Demonstrated publications budget and vendor experience

• Excellent leadership and project management skills to deliver multiple parallel projects in a complex multidisciplinary environment

• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with senior stakeholders, external experts, scientists, investigators, journal editors and publishers and professional bodies

• Flexibility and adaptability to independently manage long-term activities in a constantly changing internal and external environment

Desirable Requirements:

• Post-doctoral degree in the biological or health sciences, or equivalent experience

• Curiosity and ability to seek new understanding in scientific data and methodological innovations

• Experience of working globally, cross-culturally and cross-functionally

• CMPP certification

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. Always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

So, what’s next?

Are you already imagining yourself joining us? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you!

Advertising opens on 22nd Nov 2022 and we welcome your application, CV and cover letter, no later than 6th Dec 2022

Date Posted

Closing Date

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.

AstraZeneca requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 but will consider requests for reasonable accommodations as required by applicable law.