Associate Director, US Internal Communications & Employee Engagement

Associate Director, US Internal Communications & Employee Engagement

Location: Wilmington, DE

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company dedicated to unlocking the power of what science can do for people, society and the planet. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big and working together to make the seemingly impossible a reality.

AstraZeneca is seeking an Associate Director, US Internal Communications & Employee Engagement to lead employee-focused communications and engagement initiatives across our largest market, with a strong emphasis on culture, connection, community impact and purpose.

Reporting to the US, Head of Corporate Communications this role will support development and delivery of a comprehensive US internal communications and employee engagement strategy that informs, inspires and connects employees to our business priorities, culture and patient impact.

This position will play a key role in shaping the employee experience through strategic communications, leadership visibility, engagement campaigns and purpose-driven programs, including oversight of the Power of Us employee giving program and coordination of the US disaster relief partnerships.

This role works closely with colleagues across US Corporate Communications, Human Resources, Sustainability, Health Equity and business leaders across the US organization. The successful candidate will be a strong strategist and hands-on executor, able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

Employee Communications & Engagement

• Support development and delivery of an integrated US internal communications strategy to engage employees around AstraZeneca’s purpose, business priorities, culture, Values and impact.
• Create and execute integrated internal communications campaigns that educate, connect and inspire employees, using a mix of channels, storytelling and leadership communications.
• Drive key employee engagement moments and milestones across the US, including town halls, all-employee meetings, leadership visits, business updates, culture campaigns and other high-impact internal events.
• Partner with senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders to develop compelling messages, presentations, talking points and communications plans that strengthen employee understanding and connection.
• Ensure consistent, timely and audience-focused communications that help employees navigate change, celebrate progress, and feel connected to AstraZeneca’s ambitions and strategy in the US.

Power of Us Employee Giving Program

• Lead the communications and engagement strategy for the Power of Us employee giving program in the US, driving awareness, participation and employee pride in AstraZeneca’s community impact efforts.
• Partner with relevant internal teams and external stakeholders to manage annual giving campaigns, volunteer engagement storytelling, employee participation efforts and program communications throughout the year.
• Develop compelling content and campaigns that highlight employee generosity, community partnerships and measurable outcomes, helping reinforce AstraZeneca’s purpose and values – as well as the program’s connection to our Sustainability and Health Equity priorities.
• Track and evaluate program engagement and performance, using insights to optimize participation, improve communications effectiveness and strengthen the employee experience.

Disaster Relief Partnerships

• Support and help coordinate US disaster relief partnerships, including timely, thoughtful and well-managed employee communications during natural disasters or other emergency response situations.
• Partner across functions to activate internal communications, employee giving or matching campaigns, and relevant support resources when needed.
• Develop clear, empathetic, and action-oriented communications that inform employees of available support, opportunities to contribute, and AstraZeneca’s response efforts.

Leadership Communications & Culture

• Support executive and senior leadership communications that build trust, visibility and engagement across AstraZeneca’s full US employee population.
• Help shape a strong internal narrative for AstraZeneca in the US that connects business performance, innovation, patients, culture and community impact in a meaningful way for employees.
• Identify opportunities to elevate employee voice and recognition, spotlighting stories that reflect AstraZeneca’s values, inclusion, innovation and commitment to patients and society.

Measurement & Continuous Improvement

• Use data, feedback and channel analytics to assess the effectiveness of internal communications and engagement activities, identify trends and continuously improve impact.
• Help evolve internal communications channels, processes and best practices to ensure an effective and employee-centric approach that prioritizes two-way communications.
• Bring forward new ideas, digital approaches and AI-enabled solutions to enhance content development, targeting, efficiency, and employee engagement.

Capabilities and Behaviors

• 7+ years of communications experience, with a strong focus on internal communications, employee engagement, corporate communications, or related subject areas in a fast-paced in-house or agency environment
• Minimum of Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, or related field
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills, with the ability to translate complex topics into clear, compelling and audience-relevant messaging
• Demonstrated success developing and delivering impactful internal communications and employee engagement programs across multiple channels, with clear measures of success
• Experience supporting employee giving, community engagement or purpose-led programs is strongly preferred, including campaign management and stakeholder coordination
• Experience working on sensitive or time-critical communications, including issues management or disaster/emergency response communications, is preferred
• Strong executive presence and stakeholder management skills
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a highly dynamic environment
• Strong digital communications skills and knowledge, including experience using data, channels and AI tools to strengthen communications effectiveness
• Self-starter with proven ability to work independently, think ahead, engage proactively and take initiative
• Sound judgment, discretion and the ability to handle sensitive information with care
• Comfortable operating in a matrixed environment and building strong networks across teams and functions

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.

Why AstraZeneca:

Here you can amplify your impact by partnering across the enterprise to accelerate informed decisions that move our pipeline forward. We bring diverse experts together to spark bold thinking, harness data in real time, and reimagine how work gets done—so scientists and leaders can focus on what matters most for patients. You will be surrounded by high performers who value kindness alongside ambition, with the trust to take ownership and the support to learn fast, iterate, and make better decisions every day. Your contribution will power critical moments—from strategic reviews to portfolio inflection points—helping turn ideas into medicines that transform lives.

If you are ready to shape the pace of decision-making at the highest levels and build systems that unlock focus and impact, step forward and make this role yours today.

Date Posted

Closing Date

Our 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.