Director, Change Management
Central Cambridge, UK
Competitive salary and benefits
Introduction to role
The Director, Change Management leads the enterprise approach to embedding data-driven ways of working across AstraZeneca. This role brings together strategic narrative, change leadership, behavioural insight and communications to accelerate adoption of data capabilities and practices, building a durable data culture that turns strategy into measurable impact. Operating within Enterprise Data Programmes, the role leads the Data change management pillar and partners closely with Data project leadership and Data automation to turn ambition into everyday behaviours. Ready to shape how data and AI transform work at scale?
Accountabilities
Lead an integrated change function focused on the Data change management pillar, setting direction and driving execution across culture, communications, learning and measurement.
Design the enterprise data culture and change approach and plan, including playbooks and rollout strategies that clarify roles, expectations and ways of working, embedding data fluency, accountability and effective use of data in everyday work.
Implement pragmatic, evidence-informed behavioural interventions and aligned incentives that reinforce desired behaviours post go-live, ensuring change sticks beyond launch.
Shape and orchestrate the internal narrative for data and AI capabilities across R&D and other functions, enabling senior leaders and teams to clearly articulate value, progress and expectations, while coordinating with Global Corporate Affairs and functional communications.
Partner with HR/Learning & Development to deliver role-based training and awareness that build competence and confidence with data capabilities, integrating learning into day-to-day work.
Define adoption and behaviour change metrics; track benefits from pilot through scale, using insight to course-correct and improve decision-making, confidence and pace.
Provide strategic leadership by developing and presenting the enterprise change strategy, including executive narratives, directional proposals and business cases that articulate value, risk, sequencing and investment trade-offs.
Own the multi-year change roadmap with clear annual OKRs across culture, adoption, communications and skills uplift, aligned with Enterprise Data Programmes strategy and AstraZeneca objectives.
Translate industry and internal insights in organisational change and behavioural science into executable change plans that balance speed, quality, risk and sustainability.
Establish and run the enterprise change operating model for data initiatives (roles, forums, standards, toolkits), embedding compliance by design for privacy, security and GxP (where applicable) in change materials and processes, producing audit-ready artefacts.
Lead stakeholder mapping, impact and readiness assessments, with targeted leadership enablement and communication strategies for priority personas such as scientists, clinicians, product managers, engineers and leaders.
Coordinate end-to-end rollout, reinforcement and sustainment for enterprise data capabilities in partnership with platform and domain teams; ensure post go-live coaching and reinforcement mechanisms are in place.
Implement robust risk, issue and dependency management across change workstreams; run readiness and adoption reviews and post-implementation evaluations.
Partner with HR/Learning & Development and wider teams to build a coherent data fluency and literacy curriculum with role-based pathways aligned to enterprise standards, policies and controls.
Ensure change, learning and automation plans are integrated so that new capabilities are both understood and effectively used in day-to-day processes.
Shape the internal narrative of data success and impact so that partners recognise value and individuals are known for outcomes achieved; orchestrate multi-channel campaigns around a quarterly strategic roadmap.
Design, author and compile impactful executive presentations and communications for senior forums; coach leaders for high-impact internal communications.
Oversee development of creative content that cuts through noise and drives awareness and action; manage agencies and volunteer teams to deliver a programme of engagement activities with clear standards for quality, relevance and impact.
Coordinate with Global Corporate Affairs and functional communications to align messages and support broader or external communications where appropriate.
Define adoption, sentiment and behaviour change metrics; track benefits such as adoption rates, proficiency, cycle time and quality improvements from pilot through scale.
Implement an incentivisation structure and behavioural science-informed interventions to embed and sustain behaviours; iterate based on evidence and feedback.
Partner with Data project leadership to align change milestones with delivery stage gates and value realisation plans.
Work with Data automation to position AI for data, automation patterns and policy-as-code controls within change narratives and training.
Contribute to Enterprise Data governance forums; ensure change artefacts and decisions are transparent, auditable and aligned to enterprise standards.
Essential Skills/Experience
- Degree in life sciences or a related discipline; strong background in scientific or technical communications.
- Extensive experience in communications‑led enterprise change, operating in complex, global organisations; proven ability to navigate matrix environments and influence at senior levels.
- Demonstrated success designing and executing large scale change programmes, from strategy through adoption and sustainment, with measurable value realisation.
- Expertise in stakeholder management, audience segmentation, and multi channel communications; ability to craft compelling narratives and executive level materials.
- Familiarity with behavioural science methods and application to change (e.g., incentives, nudges, reinforcement mechanisms); experience defining and tracking adoption and behaviour metrics.
- Strong team leadership and collaboration skills; experience directing agencies and coordinating distributed/volunteer teams to deliver to time and quality.
- Demonstrated ability to integrate change activities with risk management and assurance requirements, producing audit ready deliverables.
Desirable Skills/Experience
- Knowledge of data management, policy, analytics, data science, AI and machine learning, and how these are used within R&D.
- Knowledge of the pharmaceutical drug discovery and development process.
- Experience applying change frameworks and tools (e.g., Prosci/ADKAR) or equivalent, experience‑led approaches to large‑scale organisational change and learning design in partnership with HR/L&D.
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.
AstraZeneca offers the chance to disrupt an industry while keeping patients at the heart of every decision: work with leading-edge technology, large-scale data, AI and machine learning; join hackathons; experiment in a modern digital environment; collaborate with diverse experts across science, technology, start-ups and academia; learn continuously; take ownership with real autonomy; and see the impact of your work in how life-changing medicines reach people worldwide!
If this role sounds like the next challenge you are ready to own, to join us on this journey.
#EAI
Date Posted
02-Jun-2026
Closing Date
09-Jun-2026
Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.
