Executive Director, Search and Evaluation Oncology

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MA

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

This role is a senior strategic leadership position within AstraZeneca's Oncology R&D, reporting to the Vice President Head of Business Development in Oncology R&D. The Executive Director is accountable for end-to-end deal-making opportunities across the oncology lifecycle, directly impacting the success of the Oncology R&D strategy and portfolio. The role involves proactively scouting external innovation to augment AstraZeneca's Discovery, Early, and Late Oncology R&D. The successful candidate will possess a strong R&D scientific and clinical background, proven project and people leadership, business and strategic acumen, and excellent interpersonal skills. A key aspect of the role is the ability to engage and collaborate across organizational boundaries with an entrepreneurial demeanor, acting with urgency and agility.

Requirements

• Advanced scientific or clinical qualification relevant to oncology, (BSc or above) with at least 10 years of relevant experience.
• Deep expertise in oncology biology, drug discovery and clinical development, with the ability to assess opportunities across disease areas, modalities and development stages.
• Extensive pharmaceutical or biotechnology business development experience, including identifying, evaluating, diligencing, structuring, negotiating and progressing complex transactions.
• Strong understanding of business development and transaction practices, including opportunity assessment, scientific and clinical diligence, business-case development, governance, risk assessment, valuation considerations and negotiation.
• Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional diligence and transaction teams, integrating scientific, clinical, strategic and commercial considerations into clear recommendations and appropriate deal terms.
• Executive-level communication and influencing skills, including the ability to present concise, compelling recommendations and build trusted relationships across a global, highly matrixed organization.
• Established credibility and network within the oncology biotechnology, pharmaceutical, academic, investment or venture communities.

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience in Oncology Search and Evaluation, licensing, corporate development or a closely related external-innovation role.
• Experience across a range of transaction structures, such as in-licensing, acquisitions, options, research collaborations, co-development, platform transactions or out-licensing.
• Experience evaluating both early-stage scientific opportunities and clinical-stage oncology assets.
• Experience leading, coaching or developing high-performing scientific or business development professionals.
• International experience, with a track record of building effective partnerships across cultures and regions.
• Familiarity with financial modelling, valuation and corporate-finance principles relevant to pharmaceutical transactions.
• Experience using data science or artificial-intelligence tools to support external-innovation scouting, landscape assessment or opportunity evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the scientific and strategic aspects of business development opportunities from initial engagement through diligence, governance, negotiation and execution, maintaining momentum and accountability throughout.
• Act as a senior scientific partner to external organizations and transaction teams, shaping deal structures and terms that reflect the opportunity’s risks, value inflection points and intended development strategy.
• Maintain a strong external network and market perspective across academia, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, venture capital and the wider oncology ecosystem, using emerging science, competitor intelligence and industry trends to inform portfolio decisions.
• Translate external developments into actionable recommendations for Oncology R&D, clearly articulating potential patient benefit, strategic fit, opportunity, risk and value.
• Lead appropriately scaled, cross-functional evaluations of external opportunities, integrating scientific, clinical, competitive, operational, commercial, financial, regulatory, legal and manufacturing considerations.
• Develop clear, executive-ready assessments and business cases for senior leadership and governance bodies, enabling sound prioritization of opportunities that strengthen the Oncology portfolio.
• Communicate complex scientific, strategic and transaction matters with clarity and influence, building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across the Oncology therapy area, Business Development, Corporate Development and other key functions.
• Role model and co-coach S&E colleagues and cross-functional contributors, promoting high standards of scientific rigor, collaboration, pace, inclusion and sound business judgment, and supporting effective transition to post-deal teams.

Benefits

• Qualified retirement programs
• Paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves)
• Health coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive