Director, Global Media Relations

Role Summary

The Global Media Relations Director leads external communications strategies with a primary focus on media relations, supporting planning and execution aligned to the priorities of the global BioPharmaceuticals Business and Global Media Relations (GMR). This role provides strategic communications counsel and execution in support of senior leaders and cross-functional objectives, shaping external perceptions of AstraZeneca through proactive media engagement.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements media relations campaigns and ongoing communication for use with media across the global BioPharmaceuticals Business to promote AstraZeneca, our brands, and other initiatives.
• Builds and maintains relationships with global key top-tier regional and national, business, trade, and broadcast media outlets/reporters.
• Serves as spokesperson for the company on key topics, news flow, and issues, proactively pitching media and responding to media requests.
• Develops statements, press releases, and executive messages reflecting the company’s position on proactive and reactive matters, including material/share-price sensitive events.
• Coaches senior leaders on media interview techniques and supports senior leaders on media engagements.
• Collaborates with internal Therapeutic Area colleagues to ensure brand messages are shared with top-tier contacts in external communications.
• Leads issues management and crisis preparedness activities for situations that could impact AstraZeneca.
• Supports the development and delivery of a digital channels strategy for social, blog, and website.
• Develops and maintains a media and social media measurement approach with in-country affiliates to evaluate progress against corporate reputation objectives.
• Evaluates capabilities of in-country spokespeople and media relations capabilities and develops capability-building programs.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor's Degree
• Required: 10-15+ years of hands-on experience in managing proactive/reactive media relations for a multinational company, including complex regulatory, legal, financial issues and litigation.
• Required: Previous employment in a global level role.
• Required: Experience supporting a company within the STEM industry
• Required: Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to craft clear, compelling messages across channels.
• Required: Experience partnering with senior leaders to support media interviews and other executive external engagements.
• Preferred: Experience in the pharmaceutical and/or healthcare industry with strong relationships across financial, pharma trade, and consumer media.
• Preferred: Prior journalism experience.
• Preferred: Geopolitical competence

Skills

• Media relations and crisis communications
• Executive communications and coaching
• Stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration
• Strategic storytelling across multiple channels
• Media measurement and impact analysis
• Digital communications strategy (social, blogs, website)

Education

• Bachelor's Degree