Corporate Affairs Lead - Role Overview The Corporate Affairs Lead will design and execute an integrated therapy area specific corporate affairs strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives and patient‑centricity. The role is responsible for leading the UK Corporate Affairs therapy area plan across media, policy, advocacy and digital engagement, optimising for AstraZeneca's commercial and corporate priorities, including innovation and patient access. The postholder will proactively identify reputational risks and opportunities, develop tactical responses to shape the external environment and act as the company spokesperson and ambassador in key external forums and collaborations with government, NHS, patient groups, third parties and digital influencers. The role ensures a unified, compelling and on‑brand corporate presence across all media, digital and stakeholder channels.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead the UK Corporate Affairs therapy area plan across media, policy, advocacy and digital engagement, optimising for AstraZeneca's commercial and corporate priorities, including innovation and patient access. Proactively identify reputational risks and opportunities, and develop tactical responses to shape the external environment. Act as the company spokesperson and ambassador in key external forums and collaborations with government, NHS, patient groups, third parties and digital influencers. Ensure a unified, compelling, and on‑brand corporate presence across all media, digital, and stakeholder channels. Accountable for designing and advancing policy interests aligned to AstraZeneca's business and science agenda. Develop robust, evidence‑based positions and recommendations on key NHS and UK policy issues, informed by cross‑functional collaboration and external insights. Brief policymakers, external partners, and policy influencers on AZ's priorities, products, and contributions, with a focus on patient access, system efficiency, and innovation. Represent AZ in high‑level policy meetings, parliamentary groups, and within external industry networks, ensuring the organisation is a trusted, proactive presence. Partner with patient groups, HCPs, and advocacy organisations to shape health policy and access initiatives, while supporting field teams with insight and guidance on the evolving policy landscape. Deliver or support high‑profile events, campaigns, and evidence projects that support AZ's business and therapeutic priorities. Design proactive and reactive media strategies, aligned to corporate strategies, to deliver against TA specific objectives. Deliver strategic milestone communications. Produce thought leadership articles, in traditional and digital channels. Communicate reactive issues communications as required. Lead brand campaigns and disease awareness campaigns where appropriate. Lead the strategy and delivery of digital customer engagement. Design and lead the implementation of digital customer and stakeholder engagement plans, aligned with integrated brand and corporate objectives. Optimise use of digital and AI/GenAI platforms to drive insight‑driven engagement and bring next‑best content and customer actions to life. Oversee digital asset and campaign delivery, SEO excellence, data integration, content factory workflow, and drive measurable, high‑impact engagement. Build networks and partnerships that extend AZ's reach and enhance stakeholder outcomes. Manage effective relationships with key UK pharma influencers—government, NHS, patient groups, media, digital and agency partners, and industry bodies (e.g. ABPI, NHS Confederation). Collaborate with commercial brand, medical, digital and IT colleagues to integrate digital engagement and policy into business planning. Identify and test innovative digital and engagement approaches, sharing learnings across the business and global teams. Develop and manage Government, Parliamentary, patient group, and senior NHS relationships. Understand the external environment, including potential governmental and NHS future developments and the link between political factors and NHS decision‑making. Develop relationships with key stakeholders in Government, Westminster and NHS England, and key patient organisations to support shared public policy objectives aligned to UKMC and Government/NHS priorities. Ensure these relationships are used to support the development and implementation of the Government and NHS Relations strategy. Manage AZ's responses to Government and Parliamentary consultations on key issues relevant to UKMC priorities. Support the Brand teams in key areas (CV, Diabetes, Oncology, Respiratory) by developing and implementing policy & advocacy plans aligned to their priorities. Work with Brand teams, Market Access and other internal stakeholders to develop policy priorities for input to Brand plans and the Government and NHS Relations strategy. Implement stakeholder engagement plans with relevant policymakers in Government, Parliament and NHS England to achieve policy priorities. Shape the policy environment to encourage greater uptake of innovation in the NHS in preparation for emerging AZ portfolio. Manage and coordinate communication materials & campaigns, including digital communications. Develop and implement integrated communications plans across multiple channels, ensuring alignment on key objectives and programmes with cross‑functional teams. Oversee the creation, approval, and distribution of high‑impact communications materials, including press releases, web content, and social media assets. Lead end‑to‑end management of communications campaigns, collaborating with cross‑functional teams to deliver timely and engaging content for both internal and external audiences. Utilise digital communications platforms and analytics to optimise outreach strategies, measure campaign effectiveness, and continuously improve audience engagement. Develop and implement policy positions on key commercial issues (both brand related and wider corporate issues). Identify simple and effective means to communicate those policy positions to the rest of the business. Collaborate closely with brand teams to create and deliver tailored internal communications that educate, engage, and inspire employees around key brand initiatives and campaigns. Develop clear and compelling internal messaging, slide decks, newsletters, and FAQs to support brand launches, updates, and priority projects within the organization. Contribute to briefing senior leaders and content development for internal conferences relevant to therapy area.

Qualifications

Proven senior experience in corporate affairs, public policy, digital engagement, or a closely related field within UK pharmaceuticals, biotech, or healthcare. Deep understanding of NHS policy, UK healthcare and political systems, and patient advocacy. Strategic and analytical problem solver, able to operate at pace and deal with ambiguity and complexity across corporate, commercial, and reputational issues. Successful track record of leading, mentoring, and developing cross‑functional or matrix teams. Superb stakeholder engagement, influencing, written, and verbal communication skills. Operational, compliance, and budget management experience, with ability to develop compelling business cases. Knowledge of medical, legal, and regulatory frameworks for external stakeholder and digital engagement in pharma.

Desirable

Previous experience of working in Parliament or in a government affairs‑related role. Previous experience of working in or with the NHS, ABPI, or policy/advocacy agencies. Experience working on disease, brand, or therapy area launches and life cycle management. Formal qualifications in Public Affairs, Communications, Marketing, or Health Policy.

Benefits & Working at AZ

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we ignite ambitious 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. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. AZ offers countless opportunities for growth, rewarding our successes collectively across the business. Our generous benefits package showcases the business’s appreciation of our long‑term dedication. AstraZeneca science compels us to push the boundaries of what is possible to turn science into life‑changing medicines for patients who need them most. Our team is a distributed, high‑achieving culture that leverages vibrant, open science centres where scientists pursue ideas and collaborate with colleagues and partners.

Legal & EEO Statement AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer. EEO statement applies. #J-18808-Ljbffr