At AstraZeneca every one of our employees makes a difference to patient lives every day. Our science lives beyond our labs – our global perspective means we use talent and expertise from all over the world to make our medicines a success. A new and exciting Global Meetings and Events (GME) team was created 2 years ago within the Global Business Services (GBS) organization. This team is responsible for implementing and executing a global Strategic Meetings Management Program (SMMP) across Commercial, Enabling Units and R&D globally across the enterprise.
The GME ‘Global Meetings and Events Project Manager – Congress’ will deliver best-in-class face to face, hybrid, and virtual Congress planning services. The role reports to a Global Congress Director.
This is a 12 month fixed term contract and an opportunity for someone with strong project management experience who has an interest/would like to gain experience in global meetings and events.
Your new role!
End-to-end accountability to plan and execute congresses (face-to-face/virtual/hybrid) by working in collaboration with the relevant business owners, multiple stakeholders, Associations, external and in-house partners for all aspects of a Congress. The role is responsible for overall operational planning which includes site visits, virtual platform management, supplier recommendations, contract negotiations, budgets, creation and ownership of project plans, leading project team calls, , attendee logistics oversight and on-site support
Operational management of exhibition booth, symposia, sponsorship, housing and budget management
Provide strong project management with the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across all levels of organizations, both internal and external
Understanding of external regulatory codes across major markets and Congress locations, i.e., ABPI/EFPIA, alongside AstraZeneca internal policies and reporting requirements
Work with appointed congress virtual partner to achieve strong AstraZeneca digital presence
Understanding the therapy area priorities
Manage workload and priorities to maintain a good work-life balance
Identify creative solutions to find cost saving opportunities while adapting to ever-changing business needs
Be an active member of the broader GME team, be a good role model, support benchmarking, drive best practices and knowledge sharing
Effectively work alongside external vendors and internal stakeholders while establishing collaborative relationships
Travel to and support and execute all assigned congress
Embrace change and find opportunities where least visible
Your qualifications, skills and experiences:
Strong Project Management experience
Ability to deliver and remain resilient within a fast paced, dynamic, changing environment
Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills, negotiation, collaboration, conflict management and interpersonal skills
Demonstrated financial/budget proficiency
Have a compliance mind-set with strong focus on adherence to industry guidelines, company policies and financial transparency
Proven ability to act independently and be resourceful in approach to problem solving
Strong communications, negotiation and influencing skills; ability to lead to desired outcomes
Proficiency in MS Office tools (MS Teams, Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
Ability to travel by airplane, boat, rail and/or car, when required
Your desirable qualifications, skills and experiences:
Knowledge of methodology for process improvement
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
Event industry qualifications (e.g. CMM, CME)
Team management
Congress experience
Please note:
Global travel (including weekends) will be required for successful delivery of the role – approx. 20-30%
Each day is different and working hours will often require support to different time zones