Director, Asia Area Communications

Join a place built on innovation and creativity. Where different views and perspectives are encouraged and valued. An environment that champions inclusion, and teams that reflect the diversity of the communities that we serve. At AstraZeneca, you'll have the chance to create a meaningful difference in patients’ lives. With science at its heart, this is the place where breakthroughs born in the lab become transformative medicines - for the world’s most sophisticated diseases.

The Director, Asia Area Communications will be a leader and strategic partner for the Asia Area commercial cluster, which comprises Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and India. They will work with the Asia Area Vice President, Country Presidents, cross-functional teams, in-market communicators and across International and Global Corporate Affairs to develop, drive and deliver integrated communications strategies that advance the corporate reputation of AstraZeneca. This position will report to the Senior Director, Corporate Affairs, Asia Area with a dotted reporting line to the Senior Director, International Communications.

A critical part of this role will be to drive an integrated Asia Area Communications strategy in support of the Asia Area business priorities. The role requires someone who can understand public health issues, and the needs across multiple audiences including Government, HCPs, business partners, patients, employees, and the general public, and develop communications that influence them. External communications initiatives will predominantly focus on promoting and protecting the reputation of the company, through proactive digital-first corporate communication and issues management. You will also work with therapy area leads to drive communications around major milestones.

There is a focus on digital communications, simplification, and standardization. Internal communications initiatives will predominantly focus on enhancing employee engagement, by equipping leaders to engage their teams, inspiring employees in our mission, and building employee advocacy. It will also include channel management and development. Close partnership with the Government Affairs, Policy and Media colleagues will be critical to ensure an integrated Corporate Affairs strategy.

The position will play a functional and strategic leadership role across the region, helping to raise capabilities and driving the network of Asia Area in-market communicators to optimize alignment, efficiencies and best practices.

**Key Accountabilities**:

- Partner with Asia Area Vice President, their leadership team and the International Corporate Affairs teams to build and drive successful implementation of integrated communications strategies that support the delivery of strategic priorities for the Asia Area. This demands a strategic approach as well as strong execution skills.
- Provide strategic counsel, leadership and coaching to projects/team leaders to drive communication decisions and actions.
- Support the development of a regional digital strategy, including enhancing AstraZeneca’s Asia digital and social footprint and partnering closely with markets to implement.
- Working with colleagues across Global, International and Area Corporate Affairs to ensure alignment of narrative/messaging and editorial priorities, pull-through of global campaigns and visibility of key regional and market events/announcements.
- Actively identify and pursue opportunities for Asia Area VP and selected members of their Leadership Team on their internal/external engagements, supporting delivery of prioritized communications activities e.g. speeches, presentations, etc.
- Represent Asia Area on global groups, ensuring regional perspectives and needs are reflected appropriately in plans and aligning with markets regarding planning, implementation and feedback
- Influence and lead (dotted reporting line) the Asia Area communicators’ network, achieving optimum alignment, consistency and efficiency across the region. Help to raise capabilities and sharing of best practice between markets. Share solutions to challenges facing communicators regarding delivery of business priorities.
- Provide communications expertise for regional issues or in support of key markets.
- Acting as Asia Communications lead as defined in the AZ Group Crisis Plan;
- Supporting significant organizational change programmes, and reputation management activity.
- Strong track record in delivering impactful strategic, integrated external and internal communications strategies
- Knowledge and experience in digital communication strategy, development and implementation
- Strong business acumen and proven success in connecting critical communications to business outcomes
- Ability to influence the business and communication decisions of senior-level management and to mentor senior leaders on their effectiveness
- Understanding of key public health issues and