Global Executive Talent Scout- R&D

AstraZeneca • Boston, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Global Executive Talent Scout – R&D operates at the intersection of business and talent strategy, advising senior leaders on high-stakes executive talent decisions. The role primarily supports Executive Director hiring and succession pipelines, using market intelligence, talent data, AI-assisted insights, and commercial context to recommend talent strategies and identify internal and external candidates. The Scout partners with VPs and, where relevant, SVPs and HR partners, and presents executive-ready insights to support aligned, evidence-based decisions.

The role is based in Boston, Massachusetts, with flexibility to work from the Seaport or Kendall Square office. It follows a hybrid model, with an average expectation of at least three days per week in the office. The position is part of Human Resources and supports AstraZeneca’s R&D organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5–8+ years of experience in executive search, senior talent acquisition, or related HR experience in complex, matrixed environments.
• Executive recruitment experience within the pharmaceutical, biotech, or a related industry.
• Demonstrated delivery of diverse, high-quality candidate slates and conversion outcomes efficiently.
• Experience partnering with business leaders and HRBPs, with exposure to senior stakeholders and collaboration across global hubs.
• Strong executive confidence, credibility, influence, and communication skills.
• Hands-on experience with Eightfold, Workday, or similar applicant tracking and CRM systems, including disciplined documentation and adoption of digital tools and workflow optimization.
• Experience managing external search partners against defined service-level and inclusion expectations and addressing vendor performance to enterprise standards.
• Ability to identify, engage, assess, and convert senior talent, with understanding of global talent markets and competitive talent landscapes.
• Skill in defining success profiles and objectively evaluating fit and readiness, with sound situational judgment.
• Ability to influence decisions, manage sensitivities, align cross-functional stakeholders, and craft clear data-led narratives.
• Ability to navigate compensation, location, and role scope; partner with Reward on competitive, equitable offers and articulate total rewards and the employee value proposition.
• Proficiency with talent data, insights, and AI-assisted tools.
• Ability to sustain performance through change, adapt to evolving priorities, and work with resilience and self-awareness in sensitive and confidential settings.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a matrixed global environment.
• Understanding of and familiarity with the Boston R&D ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end executive hiring, succession pipeline development, direct search, internal slates, and market mapping, primarily for Executive Director positions.
• Monitor external talent markets and maintain diverse, high-quality talent pools aligned with business priorities.
• Translate business needs into talent strategies, risk-based contingencies, and build-versus-buy recommendations using standard advisory playbooks.
• Use talent intelligence, AI-assisted market and skills insights, and commercial insights to identify mobility and transferable-skills options.
• Partner with VPs and, where relevant, SVPs to align on success criteria, assessment plans, and decision quality.
• Present executive-ready insights and build alignment across stakeholder groups.
• Track and communicate outcomes including pipeline depth and diversity, conversion, time-in-stage, offer acceptance, mobility, succession readiness, and business-critical role validation.
• Champion internal talent and transferable skills, broaden talent pools, and support fair, evidence-based selection while protecting equity, confidentiality, compliance, and candidate experience.
• Manage preferred supplier partners, setting scope, service-level, inclusion, and data-quality expectations, including expectations for digital and AI-assisted research and reporting.
• Monitor and remediate vendor performance and optimize work processes and digital tools in line with preferred supplier governance.
• Provide current market intelligence, explain total rewards and internal equity, and secure approvals.
• Partner with Reward on competitive and equitable offers, including compensation, location, and role scope.
• Develop knowledge of AstraZeneca’s science, therapeutic areas, pipeline, and strategic priorities to support informed conversations with leaders and candidates.
• Own and sequence multiple concurrent searches, manage pace, and adapt delivery to stakeholder needs.
• Define success profiles and objectively assess candidate fit and readiness, presenting strengths and risks with clear evidence.
• Use talent data, insights, and AI-assisted tools to improve sourcing speed, quality, and future scouting.
• Stay current on market, assessment, reward, communication, technology, and AI/digital trends and explore tools that improve quality, speed, and fairness.
• Adapt to changing priorities and navigate ambiguity in sensitive and confidential environments.

Benefits

• Eligibility for short-term incentive bonuses.
• Equity-based awards for salaried roles.
• Qualified retirement programs.
• Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and leaves.
• Health coverage.
• Dental coverage.
• Vision coverage.

What This Job Offers

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