Director, North America R&D Site Communications

Director, North America R&D Site Communications 

Gaithersburg, MD 

Global Corporate Affairs

Hybrid Work- on average 3 days a week from office

Do you have a passion for people, for science and the communications and management skills to design, develop and implement employee engagement strategies for a science-led biopharmaceutical company? Can you conceive, prioritize and run effective internal communications programs to help inspire employees around a bold ambition? 

We are looking for a passionate and experienced Communications Director to drive the development and delivery of communications in support of our North American R&D sites, focused primarily on our R&D hub in Gaithersburg, MD, but including R&D sites in South San Francisco and New York. With more than 4,000 scientists, executives, and supporting staff, our Gaithersburg site is one of six strategic R&D hubs globally. Gaithersburg is an outstanding and vibrant campus with the capacity to discover, develop, manufacture, and commercialize innovative medicines all within a single campus. 

You will lead internal multi-channel long- and short-term communications to build culture, share information, and create community. You'll need to be a strategic problem solver, with a talent to develop project plans and implement communications optimally. Expert-level organization and time management skills are key to supporting numerous projects, deliver in a fast-paced environment, coordinate with multiple functions and/or regions and successfully partner with internal clients and leaders.   

What you'll do                                                                                                         

• Develop and deliver effective and creative communications programs that inform and inspire our employees around our bold ambition 

• Design and deliver change management communications in support of site-level organizational changes 

• Deliver weekly Campus Update email communication, including coordination across functions to source and highlight content  

• Serve as primary point-of-contact for high-profile delegation visits to the Gaithersburg campus 

• Support senior leaders to ensure seamless execution of high-profile internal engagements 

• Support the Gaithersburg Site Leadership and Extended Site Leadership teams to elevate them as a leaders and support site leadership strategy 

• Lead the communication planning, development and delivery for flagship site events.  

• Facilitate execution of multiple site-wide initiatives and events 

• Ensure communications are continuous, consistent and distributed across multiple site channels, including plasma screens, and digital channels, including our intranet and social media channels 

• Lead and champion use of relevant communication channels - such as Workvivo; ensure adoption across organization and implements measurement strategies in order to drive effectiveness and behavior change  

• Collaborate with other teams across AstraZeneca, including Site Operations, Health & Safety, Security, and others to ensure the development of compelling, functional change communications 

Essential for you

• Bachelor’s degree

• 8+ years communications experience 

• Established track record of delivering impactful, content rich communications programmes across multiple channels and partners with demonstrable measures of success 

• Substantial experience and skills in internal communications 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English 

• Strong social and digital skills and knowledge of technology options 

• Team worker with high level of personal accountability 

• Able to develop and maintain networks across business and cultural boundaries 

• Experience of driving groundbreaking change communications and working cross-functionally 

• Experience managing vendors including communications/PR agencies, video production agencies, and freelancers 

• Ability to mentor and influence senior leaders on their communication effectiveness 

• Ability to set and handle priorities, resources, goals, and project initiatives 

• First-rate coordination, teamwork, organization and multi-tasking skills 

• Project management skills 

Desirable for the role

• Degree in journalism, communication, marketing or related field

• Experience working in the pharmaceutical industry 

• Experience working in large scale multi-national companies 

• Understanding of and ability to translate science 

Office Working Requirements

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold 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. 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.
 

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $146,716.80 - 220,075.20 USD. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans. ​

#LI-Hybrid

Date Posted

17-Feb-2026

Closing Date

02-Mar-2026Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.