Global Medical Affairs Leader, Breast

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MD

1d • $193,281 - $289,922 • Hybrid

About The Position

This is a high-impact role for a strategist who can turn complex science into clear, confident action that improves patient outcomes and accelerates launches across markets. As the accountable global medical leader for assigned breast cancer indication(s) and asset(s), you will own the Global Medical Strategy, bridge Research & Development with Commercial, and steer end-to-end launch readiness. Your work will close care gaps, promote health equity, and elevate scientific leadership—so physicians, systems, and patients can confidently adopt new standards of care. You will lead with accountability while empowering specialized teams to execute at pace. In an open, inclusive environment that values brave, well-reasoned ideas and attentive listening, your perspective will shape decisions that matter.

Requirements

• Advanced degree required (MD, PhD, PharmD, or equivalent scientific degree).
• Significant experience in Medical Affairs (~ 10 yrs) within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, ideally at the country, Region and global level.
• Demonstrated success in leading evidence generation strategies, Medical Plans, publications, or scientific communication programs.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders across Commercial, R&D, and Medical Affairs.
• Experience engaging external experts and scientific communities

Nice To Haves

• Previous global Medical Affairs leadership experience in oncology.
• Experience leading crossfunctional teams in highly complex, multiindication environments.
• Experience navigating launch environments, new MoAs, new CDx, complex biomarker landscapes, or challenging safety profiles (aligning to GMAL complexity criteria).

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver the Global Medical Plan for assigned breast cancer indication(s)/asset(s), setting direction, prioritizing initiatives, and making evidence-based trade-offs to maximize patient and business impact.
• Define and track clear launch and medical KPIs to diagnose progress and remove barriers to success; proactively adapt strategy to external dynamics and insights.
• Represent Global Medical on the Integrated Business Team (IBT) and Global Product Team (GPT) to shape Commercial strategy, inform development and lifecycle planning, and align on Target Product Profiles.
• Lead Medical Integrated Teams (MITs) to align global, regional, and country execution; represent Medical in Launch Readiness and Strategic Brand Reviews to elevate Medical Affairs’ role and impact.
• Influence clinical development and commercialization strategies, ensuring medical needs, evidence gaps, and companion study requirements are addressed early and decisively.
• Lead global and regional gap assessments across clinical, real-world, diagnostic, and mechanistic evidence; build integrated, cross-functional evidence plans that enable confident adoption and guideline inclusion.
• Shape the scientific and strategic design of Medical Affairs interventional studies; conceptualize and align real-world evidence programs with broader strategy; govern milestones, resources, and standards.
• Own the Global Publications Plan from late-phase development onward; ensure timely, credible, and compliant scientific communications that build trust with external experts and decision-makers.
• Champion innovative approaches—leveraging networks, novel study designs, and data-driven insights—to generate transformative evidence that changes practice.
• Lead the scientific narrative from four months prior to Phase 3 investment decision, ensuring consistency across evidence, publications, congresses, and education.
• Build accountability for an Integrated Confidence Plan while partnering with centers of excellence for execution; define priority audiences, learning objectives, and delivery formats.
• Shape external engagement strategies with key experts, societies, health systems, and global organizations; gather actionable insights and actively influence to accelerate guideline adoption and health outcomes.
• Lead congress strategy end to end, including pre-congress abstracts and training, and post-congress insight synthesis and dissemination.
• Coach, delegate, and empower global medical teams to strengthen capabilities; model enterprise leadership that drives alignment, pace, and a culture of scientific excellence and collaboration.

Benefits

• short-term incentive bonus opportunity
• equity-based long-term incentive program
• 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: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree