Global Safety Program Lead - Cell Therapy Oncology & Onco-Hematology

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MD

13d • $288,059 - $432,089 • Hybrid

About The Position

Within Global Patient Safety, you will shape the safety strategy of high-impact assets and lead cross-functional teams to optimize benefit–risk and maintain competitive advantage across development and post‑marketing. Working with one of the broadest cell therapy pipelines in the industry offers the possibility to advance the most novel Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) technologies at all development stages across multiple indications. As a Global Safety Program Lead - Cell Therapy Oncology & Onco-Hematology, you will report to the Global Safety Head (GSH) of the Cell therapy Patient Safety Unit (CTPSU). You will be a senior leader within the CTPSU and play a key role bringing deep clinical understanding and judgement in benefit risk assessments for AstraZeneca cell therapies in oncology, specifically, but not limited to, the AZD0120 DURGA program in Multiple Myeloma. You will also have a role in shaping the culture of the department and will act as a coach and mentor to more junior Patient Safety staff. You will ensure processes adhere to Good Clinical and Pharmacovigilance Practice and regulatory requirements as well as AZ processes.

Requirements

• Medical degree or equivalent degree in biomedicine or science, with extensive clinical safety/pharmacovigilance experience.
• Strong relevant experience in clinical safety and risk management across pharma/biotech/CRO/academia/Health Authorities, spanning pre‑ and post‑launch.
• Proven track record of leading asset safety strategy and delivery, with demonstrated strategic influence on clinical studies/programs and benefit–risk decisions.
• Deep knowledge of global PV regulations, standards, and safety deliverables (e.g., RMPs, PSURs/PSRs), and experience contributing to global regulatory submissions and interactions with major agencies.
• Strong matrix leadership and influencing skills with cross‑functional leaders (e.g., Clinical Development, Medical Affairs, Regulatory Affairs), including representation at senior governance.
• Demonstrated people leadership: ability to lead, coach, and mentor safety physicians/scientists; excellent communication skills with the ability to present complex topics to senior leaders.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally, as business needs require.

Nice To Haves

• PhD or other advanced degree in a relevant scientific discipline.
• Research experience in the GCT field.
• Medical specialty, or documented training, in oncology and/or haemato-oncology.
• Basic and/or Translational Research background, including authoring peer reviewed publications.
• Good knowledge of PV regulations in China, Australia, Japan, rest of Asia.
• Recognized subject‑matter expertise and sound independent judgment in clinical safety; disease area safety leadership experience.
• Experience speaking at industry conferences and shaping external safety messaging.
• Experience supporting in‑licensing/due diligence from a safety perspective.
• Proven ability to embed new processes/systems and drive continuous improvement in safety ways of working.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Safety Strategy & Management Team (SSaMT) and Safety Surveillance Team for assigned asset(s), setting safety goals aligned to therapeutic area and product strategy, and ensuring high‑quality, compliant delivery of safety activities.
• Own the scientific and clinical safety content for the asset(s), including safety TPP, safety Go/No‑Go criteria, toxicity management guidelines, and safety messaging, integrating inputs from clinical, epidemiology, pre‑clinical, and literature.
• Represent Global Patient Safety at key governance and external forums (e.g., DRC, eCRC, SARB, FSIRB, DSMB/DMC, MARC, CPT, GPT, Advisory Boards) in partnership with the Global Safety Head; lead responses to complex technical safety issues.
• Ensure the quality, compliance, and timely delivery of safety documents (e.g., RMPs, PSURs/PSRs) and safety contributions to study design, protocol concepts, regulatory submissions, HA/EC queries, and labeling for global markets.
• Provide strategic safety leadership to safety medical directors and scientists, guiding study and program execution, data monitoring and interpretation, signal management, and post‑marketing surveillance to inform labeling and risk minimization.
• Build and maintain strong internal and external networks, including alliance partners, to drive proactive, cross‑functional, solution‑oriented safety actions; may support due diligence and in‑licensing assessments.
• Ensuring expert input to safety-relevant elements of study design and interpretation, including efficient use of digital/ artificial intelligence (AI) tools and methodology (e.g. adverse event visualisation and disproportionality analysis).
• Line manage and develop a team of safety physicians and/or scientists; embed new processes, systems, and ways of working; prioritize risk mitigation and effective issue resolution; operate to the highest ethical, quality, GxP, and AZ standards.

Benefits

• short-term incentive bonus opportunity
• equity-based long-term incentive program
• retirement contribution
• commission payment eligibility
• 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