Global Medical Head, Infectious Disease

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MD

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Global Medical Head – Infectious Disease shapes product and disease-area strategy, drives product launches and lifecycle management, provides strategic direction for evidence generation, education and publications, and engages externally to advance the company’s scientific leadership. This leadership role is responsible for all aspects of the global medical strategy and plan and reports directly to the Vice President, Franchise and Medical & Scientific Affairs (FMSA). The position is a member of the FMSA leadership team, has direct reports, and develops a strong network with colleagues in regions and countries.

The role calls for a strong connection to medical practice and healthcare delivery; collaborative matrix leadership across diverse groups; communication and influencing skills to distill complexity; strategic and creative thinking; and business acumen. The position leads global medical planning and execution, cross-functional collaboration, team development, and operational effectiveness while ensuring compliance with company standards and procedures.

The position follows a hybrid working arrangement, with an average minimum of three days per week in the office and flexibility around individual circumstances. Annual base pay ranges from $285,872.80 to $428,809.20 USD, with a short-term incentive bonus opportunity and eligibility for an equity-based long-term incentive program. Benefits include a qualified retirement program (401(k)), paid vacation and holidays, paid leaves, and health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage.

Requirements

• MD, PhD, or PharmD.
• 7–10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, ideally in Medical Affairs at country and global or regional levels; strong academic experience in infectious diseases will also be considered.
• Experience leading teams at a global or regional level and a track record of establishing high-performance teams.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Strategic and innovative thinking, with executive presence.
• A track record of delivering results in a complex matrix environment, building capabilities, and leading large-scale, impactful medical initiatives.
• Strong analytical mindset and the ability to assess large amounts of information quickly and distill it into key messages and actions.
• A track record of building and maintaining a deep, ongoing connection to medical practice and healthcare delivery.
• Collaborative matrix-management skills, including leading diverse cultural, geographical, and functional groups toward shared goals.
• Well-developed communication and influencing skills, including the ability to distill complex information for stakeholders.
• Business acumen.

Nice To Haves

• Strong academic experience in the infectious diseases space may be considered in place of the stated pharmaceutical-industry experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic medical plans at a global level, driving innovative evidence, confidence, and practice-change initiatives.
• Communicate global strategy effectively at regional and country levels, while accommodating regional and country needs.
• Ensure effective collaboration with BPM functions, including Medical Excellence, Evidence Generation, Patient Centricity, Medical Information, and Publications; with other functions, including Commercial, Pricing and Market Access, and Research and Development; and with regions and markets.
• Provide quality input to company planning and decision-making processes, including Brand Strategic Plans, prioritization of early assets, and lifecycle management.
• Ensure operational effectiveness and efficiency through continuous improvement, including development and tracking of key performance indicators.
• Represent Medical in cross-functional and cross-departmental projects of special interest.
• Ensure all V&I activities comply with company standards and standard operating procedures.
• Manage the team budget.
• Coach, mentor, and performance-manage direct reports, and contribute actively to succession and talent management.
• Foster a high-performance culture and strong team spirit.
• Engage externally to further the company’s scientific leadership.

Benefits

• Short-term incentive bonus opportunity.
• Eligibility to participate in an 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: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree