At AstraZeneca, every one of our employees makes a difference to patients’ 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. 

An exciting Global Meetings and Events (GME) team is currently being formed 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 Science Units.

The GME Virtual Meeting Manager, reporting into the GME Regional Director,  requires a highly proficient digital expert with strong project management, problem solving and logical skills. They need to be organised and resourceful being able to identify and pull together the resources needed to deliver a successful virtual and hybrid event from both internal and external approved resources. They need to have strong inter-personal skills to be able to work across different levels of meeting owners representing the strong GME brand at all opportunities. They must be able to work in a high pressure, fast paced environment and be willing to collaborate with other areas where needed. They will contribute to broader organisation and company goals. They should understand the business objectives, corporate culture and be able to keep up with evolving priorities.   

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Digital expert who demonstrates curiosity for innovation in the virtual space, with proven experience in incorporating new virtual technologies and platforms to evolve the virtual attendee meeting experience

• End-to-end accountability to plan and execute internal and external virtual/hybrid meetings by working in collaboration with the business meeting owner and external partners for all aspects of the meeting, including production supplier recommendations, contract negotiations, budgets, creation and ownership of project plan, attendee management and event agenda. For hybrid meetings, there could be some arrangements around venue selection, catering, travel arrangements, AV production and on-site support

• Be at the forefront of digital change to maintain a competitive edge to advance AstraZeneca’s virtual presence at a congress

• Source and recommend virtual meeting format to achieve desired meeting output, suggesting new technologies as appropriate

• Provide strong project management with the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across all levels of organizations, both internal and external, with the ability to work across time zones (some early starts/late evenings or weekends may be required)

• Set up and drive all status meetings/calls

• Financial management (vendor proposals, invoices, reconciliation etc.)

• Liaise with the relevant Operations Team to create the virtual meeting registration websites

• Be primary point of contact for attendees

• Effectively manage external vendors and internal stakeholders while establishing collaborative relationships, including assisting Procurement with sourcing new vendors as required

• Facilitate live virtual and hybrid meetings not requiring scientific facilitation, including testing of assets and speaker rehearsals

• Operate virtual platforms as well as engagement applications

• Post meeting reporting creation

• Identify creative solutions to find cost saving opportunities while adapting to ever-changing business needs, policies and laws

• Be an active member of the broader GME team to provide benchmarking, best practices and knowledge sharing

• Effectively manage external vendors and internal stakeholders while establishing collaborative relationships

• Travel to and support execution of virtual broadcast delivery originating off-site as required (up to 30%)

Essential Requirements

• High proficiency/expert of working within the Cvent Event Management system

• Experience with both virtual and face to face delivery of large meeting and events planning (100+ attendees)

• In-depth knowledge of industry virtual tools including streaming platforms such as Zoom and wrap-around solutions such as virtual venues as well as tools used in delivering virtual meetings

• Ability and interest in embracing new technologies and self-teach, as well as train other GME Meeting Managers as required

• Extensive meetings and events experience across a varied type of meetings

• Self-starter with proven ability to proactively identify and solve problems independently

• Strong communications, negotiation and influencing skills; ability to lead to desired outcomes

• Proficiency in MS Office tools (Word, PowerPoint and Excel)

• Excellent verbal and written English skills

• Demonstrated financial/budget proficiency

• Compliance mind-set with strong focus on adherence to industry guidelines, company policies and financial transparency

• A flexible mindset and ability to pivot in response to external environment and Business changes and needs

Preferred

• College/University Degree

• Pharmaceutical experience

Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.