Policy & Advocacy Manager, R&I

Job Title: Policy & Advocacy Manager, R&I
Location: Cambridge, UK
Introduction to role:
Do you believe patient voices should shape the policies that determine access to diagnosis, treatment and care? Are you ready to turn lived experience into reforms that improve outcomes and address inequities across health systems? This role gives you the platform to connect patient priorities with policy change across research and innovation.
The Policy & Advocacy Manager, R&I will develop and deliver patient-centred policy and advocacy strategies that support a healthcare environment in which patients can access timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment, innovative medicines and high-quality care.
Working within the Policy, Advocacy and Health Equity team in Global Corporate Affairs, the role will build strong, strategic partnerships with patient groups and other external stakeholders to understand patient priorities, shape policy discussions and advance reforms that improve patient outcomes and address health inequities.
The role is suited to an experienced policy and advocacy professional with a background in patient advocacy, campaigning, public affairs, stakeholder engagement or healthcare policy. Candidates may have worked in a patient organisation, consultancy, pharmaceutical or biotechnology company, public-health organisation, charity, think tank or another organisation that has successfully developed partnerships with patient groups and engaged policymakers.
The Policy & Advocacy Manager will translate patient insights and lived experience into credible policy positions, advocacy strategies and engagement programmes. They will work across global, regional and country teams and collaborate with colleagues across R&I, Medical Affairs, Market Access, Corporate Affairs, Legal, Compliance and other functions.
Accountabilities:
- Patient-centred policy and advocacy strategy: Develop and implement strategies that reflect patient needs; identify policy barriers and opportunities; set clear objectives, messages and engagement plans to influence policy outcomes.
- Strategic partnerships with patient groups: Build trusted, transparent and mutually valuable relationships; co-develop shared priorities; support respectful, well-governed partnerships that enable meaningful patient participation.
- Policy campaigning and policymaker engagement: Design and deliver targeted campaigns for policymakers, government officials, regulators and health leaders; prepare policy briefs, positions and consultation responses; convene roundtables and coalitions to advance achievable reforms.
- Patient voice and lived experience: Integrate patient perspectives into policy narratives and engagement; develop case studies and evidence that illuminate unmet need, access barriers and inequalities; ensure consent, safeguarding and privacy are respected.
- Policy intelligence and external environment: Monitor and interpret policy, political and societal developments; assess implications for research, innovation and access; produce landscape assessments, stakeholder maps and strategic recommendations.
- Coalition building and external partnerships: Convene patient groups, professional bodies, academics and civil society partners around shared objectives; maintain momentum through complex policy processes.
- Content development and executive updates: Produce high-quality briefings, policy papers, consultation responses, presentations and senior-level updates that translate insight into clear, actionable recommendations.
- Programme leadership and governance: Manage plans, budgets, agencies and risk; uphold strong governance and compliance; define and track measures of success that demonstrate policy influence, stakeholder engagement and patient impact.
- Cross-functional collaboration: Connect advocacy and patient priorities with organisational strategies; enable coordinated, compliant engagement across markets while recognising differences in patient needs and policy environments.
- Health equity: Embed equity considerations in strategies and partnerships; ensure engagement reaches underrepresented and underserved populations; design recommendations that address barriers to diagnosis, treatment, research participation and access.
Essential Skills/Experience:
- Experience in patient advocacy, public affairs, policy campaigning, healthcare policy, stakeholder engagement or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience of developing and delivering advocacy strategies or campaigns aimed at policymakers, government stakeholders or healthcare decision-makers.
- Experience of building effective partnerships with patient organisations or other civil-society stakeholders.
- Ability to translate patient needs, lived experience, research or policy analysis into clear messages and practical recommendations for external audiences.
- Experience managing complex stakeholder programmes, external partners or consultancy relationships.
- Relevant experience may have been gained in a patient organisation, charity, consultancy, pharmaceutical or biotechnology company, public-sector organisation, think tank, professional association or public-health body.
Desirable Skills/Experience:
- Experience in one or more of the following areas: research and development policy, clinical research, patient involvement in research, access to medicines, health-system reform, rare diseases, chronic diseases, health equity, health data, evidence-based policymaking or innovation policy.
- Experience working across multiple countries or regions, or in a global, matrixed organisation.
- Familiarity with the policy and regulatory environment affecting clinical research, medicines development, healthcare access or patient participation.
- Experience supporting patient-led campaigns, multi-stakeholder coalitions, parliamentary or government engagement, policy consultations or public-health advocacy.
- A degree in a relevant discipline such as public policy, public affairs, political science, international relations, public health, health communications, social sciences, life sciences, healthcare, law or a related field; equivalent professional experience considered.
Why AstraZeneca:
Here, science, policy and advocacy come together to shape outcomes that matter for patients. You will join a culture that backs curiosity with action, where diverse perspectives are brought into the same room to unlock bold ideas and practical solutions. We move with urgency, take smart risks and use data and digital tools to accelerate progress. Collaboration is real and everyday—across disciplines, geographies and backgrounds—so your work is amplified by unexpected partnerships and shared purpose. We value kindness alongside ambition, ensuring you have the support, insight and autonomy to turn patient insight into policy change with global reach.
Ready for next steps?
If you are ready to turn patient insight into measurable policy outcomes and help shape the future of healthcare, take the next step and bring your advocacy to AstraZeneca today!
Please submit your application with a cover letter included by October 30th.