The role of Director, GBS Communications and Organisational Transformation, will make a vital contribution to the success of the organisation as GBS heads into a period of significant growth and expansion as part of AstraZeneca’s new location strategy. The role requires vision, energy and a proven track-record of delivering successful global engagement and change campaigns. The successful candidate will work closely with the heads of both GBS and GCA Finance Communications to build an effective and dynamic communications and organisational transformation program that engages the hearts and minds of target audiences to drive the behaviour and mindset changes to make GBS successful.

The Director will help evolve a GBS narrative that will both attract talent into the programme and generate excitement and support across the company. This is a long game – GBS expansion will last several years – so any initiatives must be sustainable with a strategic focus that provides for long-term impact and value creation. All communications will need to reflect the company’s business priorities, strategy and brand, therefore, close working relations with the Corporate Affairs team is a must.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Significant experience of working in a fast-paced global communications team.
• Track record of developing and delivering innovative and highly engaging communications to large and varying audiences that achieve tangible outcomes.
• Significant experience of managing different stakeholder relationships and confident at forging trusted relationships at all levels.
• Experience of managing complex communications programmes with international dimensions.
• Experience of working in a highly regulated sector.

Desirable Skills & Experience:

• Gravitas – taken seriously by all they engage with as a true professional.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills, backed by strong channel management, digital/social media skills and comfort using and advising others in remote communication technologies.
• Sound judgment combined with strong interpersonal and influencing skills – able to engage well with people at all levels of the organisation
• Excellent eye for detail, including visual and verbal identity.
• Ability to manage conflicting priorities, stakeholder & colleague expectations and deliver consistently high-quality outputs.
• Inquisitive mindset with well-developed critical/analytical abilities.
• Strategic thinker looking outside to bring new approaches to continually reinvigorate outputs and improve the effectiveness of approaches.
• High level of integrity, able to handle highly confidential information.
• Ability to instil confidence in others in a high-pressure situation.
• Proactive with high levels of self-motivation and personal accountability, bringing enthusiasm and energy to team, peer group and tasks.
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a team.
• Resilient with a flexible approach.
• Able to develop and maintain networks across business and cultural boundaries