Global Medical Affairs Leader, TDR

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MD

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Global Medical Affairs Leader, TDR is a pivotal strategic role at the centre of AstraZeneca’s ambition to transform cancer care worldwide. This position leads the medical strategy for assigned oncology indication(s)/asset(s), driving launch excellence, shaping evidence generation, and building confidence in our science across the globe. Acting as the key bridge between R&D and Commercial, this role steers the Global Medical Plan, orchestrates global launch readiness, and ensures that every decision is grounded in robust data and patient impact. Ready to influence how new oncology medicines are understood, adopted, and scaled across diverse healthcare systems? AstraZeneca offers an environment where scientific curiosity meets real‑world impact: a global biopharmaceutical company tackling serious disease while constantly searching for new ways to solve complex healthcare and sustainability challenges. Teams reflect the diversity of the communities we serve; different perspectives are encouraged, collaboration is expected, and questioning minds are supported to push boundaries. With strong investment in learning, data and digital innovation, and cross‑functional partnerships inside and outside the organisation, people are empowered to take smart risks, learn fast from experience, and contribute directly to life‑changing medicines for patients worldwide. AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We follow all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

Requirements

• Advanced degree required (MD, PhD, PharmD, in any related field)
• At least three years of experience 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 cross‑functional teams in highly complex, multi‑indication environments.
• Experience navigating launch environments, new MoAs, new CDx, complex biomarker landscapes, or challenging safety profiles (aligning to GMAL complexity criteria).

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic medical leadership for assigned indication(s)/asset(s), owning the Global Medical Plan and leading launch strategy from early planning through post‑launch optimisation.
• Set clear strategic direction, prioritise initiatives, and make evidence‑based trade‑offs to maximise patient outcomes and business impact, adapting plans in response to external dynamics and performance against launch KPIs.
• Define, track, and interpret medical Key Performance Indicators to assess strategy impact, identify progress, and diagnose barriers to launch success.
• Represent Global Medical on key cross‑functional forums such as the Integrated Business Team and Global Product Team, shaping commercial strategy, informing R&D development and lifecycle planning, and ensuring Medical input into clinical development and commercialisation strategies.
• Lead Medical Integrated Teams to align global, regional, and country medical teams around launch strategy and execution, acting as a medical decision‑maker and ambassador in market engagements.
• Influence clinical development by identifying registrational evidence gaps, companion study needs, and Target Product Profile implications, ensuring Medical perspectives shape Tumor Strategic Plans and Business Strategy Plans.
• Strengthen global medical capabilities through effective delegation, coaching, empowerment, and mentorship, building high‑performing teams focused on launch excellence.
• Lead global and regional evidence gap analyses to define critical clinical, real‑world, and mechanistic evidence needs, and develop integrated evidence plans across clinical, diagnostic, digital, and real‑world sources.
• Shape the scientific and strategic design of AZ‑sponsored interventional Medical Affairs studies, conceptualise real‑world evidence studies with partners, and oversee governance, milestones, and resources to deliver to the highest scientific, ethical, and compliance standards.
• Own the Global Publications Plan from Phase 3 ID onwards in partnership with publications teams, ensuring compelling, credible scientific communications and appropriate review of local/regional medical studies and Externally Sponsored Research.
• Embed innovative approaches to evidence generation aligned with the MARS vision, leveraging cancer networks, novel study designs, and data‑driven insights.
• Own and lead the scientific narrative from pre‑Phase 3 ID onwards, ensuring consistency across evidence, publications, congresses, and education while driving an Integrated Confidence Plan executed by Centres of Excellence.
• Define global medical education priorities, identify key audiences and learning objectives, guide delivery formats (digital, hybrid, in‑person), and ensure scientific rigor in all educational activities.
• Lead the external engagement strategy for indication(s)/asset(s), including KEEs, societies, health systems, and global organisations; gather insights that shape scientific practice and actively influence external experts to advance health outcomes and accelerate guideline adoption.
• Lead congress strategy end‑to-end: drive pre‑congress planning (abstracts, presentations, training), guide on‑site scientific presence, and oversee post‑congress insight synthesis, dissemination, and follow‑up actions.

Benefits

• Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.
• Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees