Executive Director, Medical Excellence US BBU

AstraZeneca • Wilmington, DE

7d • $285,872 - $428,809

About The Position

The Head of Medical Excellence, US BBU, is a highly influential leadership role with the opportunity to build and shape a newly established capability that will transform how Medical Affairs delivers value across the portfolio. This leader will set the vision and operating model for Medical Excellence, strengthening the quality, consistency, innovation, and measurable impact of scientific engagement. Reporting to the VP, US Medical Affairs, this person will lead an integrated team spanning Digital Medical Strategy and Innovation, Customer Engagement, Scientific Communications, Medical Informatics, Medical Training, and the Medical Education and Grants Office. Working across science, strategy, data, and technology, they will enable medical teams to engage customers more effectively, translate insights into action, and improve access to relevant medical information.

Requirements

• Advanced scientific, clinical, education, or business degree (e.g., PharmD, PhD, MD, EdD, MS, MBA).
• A minimum of 10 years in Medical Affairs in pharma with dynamic leadership across global and regional roles.
• Deep knowledge of the drug development process and stakeholder landscape.
• Deep understanding of scientific exchange principles, external partner engagement, and compliance frameworks across US.
• Expertise with digital/omni-channel medical and analytics.
• Demonstrates critical thinking, enterprise approach, change leadership, influence at senior levels, people development, and matrix leadership across geographies and cultures.
• Experienced with CRM and insights systems, LMS/LXP platforms, content management, critical metric dashboarding/BI tools; ability to interpret data and translate into actions.
• High ethical standards and dedication to compliance, patient-centricity, and quality.

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience building medical capabilities and MSL organizations; proven track record in scientific training design and delivery; experience establishing and scaling impact metrics and dashboards.
• Visionary leadership with enterprise perspective
• Significant matrix-team leadership experience.
• Scientific rigor paired with digital proficiency and pragmatic execution.
• Change leadership and adoption excellence across matrixed environments.

Responsibilities

• Set the vision and strategic framework for digitally enabled Medical Affairs across the US BBU.
• Lead the evaluation, prioritization, and scaled adoption of innovative channels, technologies, and operating models that strengthen scientific exchange, improve access to medical information, and deliver measurable value for healthcare professionals and patients.
• Define a coordinated, customer-centric engagement model across Medical Affairs that connects field, digital, and other channels.
• Establish customer experience standards and use engagement insights to improve the relevance, consistency, and effectiveness of scientific interactions.
• Serve as point of contact for congress planning for medical US BBU (in collaboration with the Commercial function and Global Medical).
• Define and lead the US scientific communications strategy and execution across therapeutic areas, portfolios, aligned with broader medical strategy.
• Lead the strategy, governance, accountability and enablement of medical data, analytics, and technology across the US BBU.
• Ensure medical teams have timely access to high-quality, actionable information and analytics, while advancing interoperability, data stewardship, compliant use, and the translation of insights into decisions and improved medical execution.
• Lead the strategy, governance, and operational excellence for independent medical education and medical grants across the business.
• Establish clear standards for the intake, review, funding, oversight, and impact assessment of grant requests, ensuring decisions are objective, compliant, transparent, and aligned with identified educational needs and Medical Affairs priorities.
• Own the global scientific learning strategy across the portfolio, including disease, product, and evidence curricula.
• Oversee onboarding, core academies, and continuing education using modern learning approaches to ensure proficiency and retention.
• Partner with GMA and Field Leadership to set standards for Field Medical roles, scientific exchange, insight generation, and cross-functional collaboration to support consistent, high-quality, and compliant external engagement.
• Ensure training, materials, and Field Medical practices align with global and local regulations and internal standards.
• Support governance forums and maintain audit readiness.
• Accountable for developing a high-performing team, fostering a culture of performance development, accountability inclusion, and diversity.
• Model and reinforce the ethical, quality, and compliance standards required by the US organization.

Benefits

• short-term incentive bonus opportunity
• equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles)
• retirement contribution (hourly roles)
• commission payment eligibility (sales roles)
• 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