Director of Communications, France & BeLux

The Director / Senior Manager of Communications will provide communications expertise to the Alexion, Astra Zeneca Rare Diseases affiliate in France, Belgium and Luxembourg, including corporate and therapy areas (TA) communications, media relations, internal communications and executive leader visibility.

The role reports into the Head of Corporate Affairs, Alexion France & BeLux and works closely with the network of market communicators across the Europe and Canada (EUCAN) region. He/she will work with the cross-functional teams to develop and deliver a coordinated communications strategy aligned to local business priorities and our Global Corporate Affairs objectives. He/she will also work closely with Director of Communications, EUCAN & International to ensure strategic alignment with regional and global communications.

External communications initiatives will predominantly focus on driving our leading corporate reputation as a trusted and influential partner in rare disease, supporting our TA policy and market shaping efforts. Internal communications initiatives will predominantly focus on driving increased employee engagement, equipping leaders to engage their teams and inspiring change. This will also include channel management and development.

The position will play a functional and strategic role in the local Alexion team, helping to drive a leading corporate reputation, inspire employee confidence in our strategy and build belief in our science and TAs. He/she will also counsel and provide guidance to the General Manager and other members of the France & BeLux Leadership Team.

Key Accountabilities:

• Develop and drive successful implementation of integrated communications strategies across corporate, TA, internal, media and executive visibility.

• Provide comms expertise and support to General Manager, Alexion France & BeLux, to support delivery of key priorities. This demands a strategic approach as well as strong execution skills.

• Identify and align on key strategic external communications priorities that will support the delivery of integrated CA strategy for Rare Diseases in France, Belgium and Luxembourg. This includes designing and executing communications strategy aligned to our public policy and advocacy strategy.

• Lead all local product and milestone communications in France, Belgium & Luxembourg for Alexion, including press releases and/or media pitches for major milestones in the pipeline and regulatory processes.

• Efficiently create, adapt and execute digital communications aligned to the overall CA strategy.

• Lead Alexion’s strategic response to issues management in France, Belgium and Luxembourg and ensure risks are managed and mitigated.

• Provide strategic counsel, leadership and coaching to projects / team leaders to drive communication decisions and actions, as well as improving overall communication efficiency, for agreed business priorities.

• Work with colleagues across Global 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.

• Represent Alexion France & BeLux on regional and global communications groups, ensuring local perspective for Rare Disease and needs are reflected appropriately in global plans and aligning with markets regarding planning, implementation and feedback.

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Essential for the role:

• Extensive experience in the communications arena (minimum of 8 years of experience for Director level or 5+ years for Senior Manager)

• Strong track record in delivering impactful external and internal communication strategies

• Strong business acumen and proven success in connecting critical communications to business outcomes (industry experience preferred)

• Ability to influence the business and communication decisions of senior management and to mentor senior leaders on their effectiveness

• Proven track record of effectively managing many projects and resources

• Highly-developed cultural sensitivity and ability to work in virtual teams

• Knowledge of and experience in working across geographic and cultural boundaries

• Fluent in French and English with excellent written and verbal communication skills

Desirable for the role:

• Expertise in Rare Diseases

• Experience in successful change communication programme implementation

• Experience of crisis and/or issues management

• Prior experience in media relations

Why AstraZeneca?

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, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.

Hybrid Working

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working give 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. But that doesn’t mean we’re not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world. 

So, what’s next?

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

Competitive salary and benefits package on offer.

Date Posted

Closing Date

Alexion is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging where every single person can belong because of their uniqueness. The Company will not make decisions about employment, training, compensation, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment based on race, color, religion, creed or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, marital status, pregnancy, (including childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), parental status (including adoption or surrogacy), military status, protected veteran status, disability, medical condition, gender identity or expression, genetic information, mental illness or other characteristics protected by law. Alexion provides reasonable accommodations to meet the needs of candidates and employees. To begin an interactive dialogue with Alexion regarding an accommodation, please contact accommodations@Alexion.com. Alexion participates in E-Verify.