Head of Advocacy & Market Development, COPD

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MD

10d • $267,914 - $401,870 • Hybrid

About The Position

At AstraZeneca, we are dedicated to transforming ideas into life-changing medicines and addressing unmet patient needs globally. The BioPharmaceuticals business is a rapidly growing area focused on revolutionizing the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic diseases. We are seeking a Head of Advocacy & Market Development to join our Global Commercial team. This leadership role will be instrumental in shaping the future of COPD care by developing and executing global advocacy and market development strategies for a key launch asset in our respiratory portfolio. You will work across global, regional, and local teams to build scientific and clinical advocacy for IL-33 pathway science and drive healthcare system transformation initiatives aimed at improving patient identification, optimizing care pathways, and expanding access to innovative treatments. Collaboration with Medical, Policy, Market Access, Digital, Commercial, and local market teams will be crucial for strategy alignment and seamless execution. Through strong external partnerships and expert engagement, you will contribute to improving outcomes for patients with COPD. As a key member of the Global Commercial team, you will provide strategic leadership for advocacy, healthcare system change, and market development initiatives to support the successful launch and long-term growth of the asset.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in a scientific or healthcare-related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of experience within the healthcare or biopharmaceutical industry.
• Demonstrated experience in Respiratory, Immunology, or related therapeutic areas in the USA.
• Proven success engaging and influencing external stakeholders, including KEEs, prescribers, payers, and healthcare organizations.
• Track record of success in global and/or local commercial leadership roles.
• Strong stakeholder management and leadership skills, including experience influencing senior executives.
• Experience working effectively within complex matrix organizations and across diverse cultures and geographies.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted partnerships with external organizations and senior leaders.
• Successful launch experience, including advocacy development, market shaping, and brand growth initiatives.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree such as MBA, PhD, or equivalent.
• Deep understanding of respiratory disease management and healthcare system dynamics.
• Experience leading healthcare transformation or market development initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of policy, access, and advocacy landscapes across major global markets.
• Demonstrated success building external partnerships that drive meaningful healthcare change.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the global advocacy vision, strategy, and operational plans to amplify the scientific and clinical narrative around IL-33 pathway innovation.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with Key External Experts (KEEs), including leadership of the Global COPD Clinical Expert Council and related respiratory disease forums.
• Collaborate with Global Brand Team colleagues to develop advocacy programs, educational initiatives, speaker training, and engagement activities.
• Partner closely with local market advocacy leads to ensure global strategies are effectively translated into local execution plans.
• Develop tailored engagement plans for priority global advocates and strengthen AstraZeneca's presence across respiratory and immunology communities.
• Define and drive the long-term global market development vision for the COPD asset.
• Lead the development of global market shaping strategies, tactics, and assets in partnership with key markets.
• Collaborate with Medical and Policy colleagues to develop healthcare system change initiatives focused on early patient identification, screening, care pathway optimization, and evidence generation.
• Partner with external stakeholders, including healthcare authorities, patient advocacy organizations, and policymakers, to advance COPD care delivery.
• Identify and coordinate external partners and vendors that support patient identification and healthcare transformation programs.
• Lead cross-functional global and local teams to ensure successful planning and execution of market development initiatives.
• Define and deliver compelling value propositions and service platform offerings that improve implementation and patient outcomes across priority markets.

Benefits

• Qualified retirement programs
• Paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves)
• Health coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles.

What This Job Offers

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