Executive Director, Global Head of Medical AI/Digital Strategy & Enablement

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MD

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

This senior enterprise leader will set the vision and operating model that makes AI, data, and modern platforms routine tools for more than 3,000 medical colleagues—elevating scientific engagement and accelerating evidence-informed decisions across headquarters and the field. Based in Gaithersburg (US), you will partner closely with Enterprise AI, IT, Medical leadership, and cross-functional partners to translate high-impact medical use cases into scalable products with measurable value. The role requires the ability to turn sophisticated possibilities—GenAI, agentic workflows, real-time insight synthesis—into compliant, responsible capabilities that change how we work and the outcomes we deliver.

Requirements

• Sophisticated Scientific Degree (MBBS, PharmD, PhD, or MD) or equivalent international education
• A minimum of 10 years in pharma/biotech with dynamic responsibility across Medical Affairs, Medical Excellence, Digital/IT, or Commercial Operations; proven track record in large, regulated enterprises
• A minimum of 5 years leading AI/digital transformation at scale in life sciences/medical contexts, including practical deployment of GenAI/NLP/ML solutions in Medical Affairs (e.g., insight analytics, content augmentation, predictive engagement), with model governance and responsible AI practices
• A minimum of 10 years of people leadership, including building and leading global, matrixed teams and developing leaders
• Proven success implementing medical systems and medical information platforms, learning systems, analytics/BI, and omnichannel medical engagement across multiple regions
• Validated ability to translate sophisticated technical topics into business value; outstanding communication and stakeholder leadership skills with influence across senior levels
• Strong understanding of global/local medical regulations, scientific exchange standards, privacy, data governance, and audit/compliance requirements
• Portfolio prioritization and benefits realization expertise; comfortable with enterprise project management and agile delivery

Nice To Haves

• Deep Medical Affairs experience (HQ and/or Field)
• Technical fluency and hands-on capability to shape prototypes, evaluate AI outputs, and specify architectures; familiarity with agentic AI frameworks, context engineering, and Agent Skills development
• Experience with integration standards and patterns (e.g., MCP) and with medical data platforms (Veeva, Salesforce, knowledge management, DAM)
• Vendor ecosystem leadership and contract negotiation in AI/digital platforms

Responsibilities

• Define a multi-year AI/digital acceleration strategy aligned to enterprise AI direction and portfolio priorities, with clear value cases, adoption targets, and an investment roadmap.
• Set global standards for scientific engagement, insight generation, capability building, and field excellence—balancing global consistency with regional adaptability to ensure impact in diverse markets.
• Embed AI/digital-enabled performance tracking across headquarters and field activities with KPIs and dashboards that elevate scientific engagement quality, execution, and strategic decision-making.
• Establish an ethics-by-design framework covering model governance, transparency, bias and risk management, and effective human-in-the-loop oversight; ensure privacy, security, and regulatory alignment across markets.
• Translate high-value medical use cases into functional, non-functional, data, and AI requirements; partner with Enterprise AI and IT to deliver secure, scalable solutions and continuously improve based on user feedback.
• Co-define technical specifications, architecture documentation, and integration patterns; contribute requirements for component authoring, DAM, orchestration, analytics, identity/consent, CRM, and platforms such as Veeva and Salesforce.
• Co-develop omnichannel medical content and engagement strategies with global and local teams; optimize HCP journeys, drive modular content reuse, and elevate scientific relevance by segment.
• Ensure platform reliability, robust data quality, and lifecycle management with strong compliance and audit outcomes.
• Inspire change management and AI/digital-first ways of working through executive sponsorship, playbooks, training, and communities of practice—building momentum from early wins to sustained, enterprise-wide adoption.
• Build and scale AI/digital proficiency across 3,000+ medical colleagues via role-based curricula, certifications, and ongoing mentor; enable leaders to champion new capabilities.
• Deliver enterprise adoption with measurable improvements in efficiency, quality, reach, and frequency of medical engagement; reduce cycle times for planning, content creation, insight synthesis, and key decisions; increase the completeness and action-ability of scientific insights.

Benefits

• Qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Paid leaves
• Health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree