Head of Data Science and Advanced Analytics , US Commercial

AstraZeneca • Boston, MA

23h • $218,000 - $327,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Are you ready to lead the charge in transforming data into actionable insights? As the Head of Data Science and Advanced Analytics , US Commercial , you'll be at the forefront of setting and executing the vision and strategy for advanced analytics initiatives. This critical position involves using data-driven insights to improve the US Commercial strategy, sales, patient engagement, and market expansion in outstanding and rare diseases. Drive innovation and maximize the impact of data science on business results in one of the world's most dynamic healthcare markets! You will be responsible for: Strategic Leadership: Develop and lead the execution of a data science and advanced analytics strategy tailored to the US Commercial business, with a focus on maximizing field effectiveness, patient identification, customer engagement, and commercial success in rare and specialty disease markets. Partner with US Commercial leadership and cross-functional collaborators to ensure alignment of analytics priorities. Drive the adoption of AI, predictive modeling, and advanced insights throughout the commercial division. Operational Management: Coordinate the Center of Excellence's operations involving data science and sophisticated analytics to support US Commercial objectives. Ensure deliverables are timely and meet high-quality standards. Address emerging needs in the market, payer trends, and evolving competition. Continuously improve data pipelines, analytical processes, and reporting tools supporting brand, payer, and field teams. Team Leadership: Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing, US-focused team, including data scientists and commercial analytics specialists. Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and business partnership within the CoE, ensuring continuous skills development and team engagement. Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the lead interface between the CoE and US Commercial business units, including Brand, Market Access, Patient Services, and Customer Engagement. Translate complex analyses into clear business recommendations and deliver presentations to US commercial leadership, sales teams, and external partners as needed. Commercial Analytics & Support: Lead building, implementation, and maintenance of advanced analytics models and dashboards to address critical commercial opportunities (e.g., targeting and segmentation, omnichannel marketing analytics, measurement of return on investment, patient journey analysis, and forecasting). Drive the use of real-world, claims, and distribution data to improve performance in rare disease launches and mature portfolio management. Support data-driven decision making by providing market insights, competitive intelligence, and field performance analytics for the US market. Technology and Innovation: Evaluate and deploy innovative analytics technologies, AI/ML platforms, and advanced data tools that give US Commercial teams a competitive advantage. Monitor commercial analytics trends and practices in the US healthcare market and integrate outstanding solutions. Performance Measurement: Define and track critical metrics measuring CoE impact within US Commercial performance (e.g., sales growth, market penetration, HCP engagement, launch excellence). Deliver actionable dashboards, reports, and insights to multiple US Commercial collaborators and regional representatives

Requirements

• Education: Master’s or Ph.D. in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Business Analytics, or a related quantitative field.
• Experience: 15+ years’ experience in data science, advanced analytics, or commercial analytics roles, including at least 7 years in a senior/leadership capacity with a focus on US Commercial operations in healthcare, biotech, or pharmaceuticals.
• Technical Skills: Deep proficiency in commercial data science and analytics, including statistical modeling, machine learning, segmentation, and forecasting (Python, R, SQL, etc.). Hands-on experience with commercial analytics and visualization tools (e.g., Qlik, Power BI, Tableau, Veeva, Databricks). Expertise working with US commercial data assets (claims, prescription, distribution, CRM, real-world data, patient support).
• Leadership Skills: Demonstrated ability to build and lead US-focused analytics teams. Strong interpersonal, influencing, and communication skills; able to effectively present analytics to commercial executives and field teams. Proven record of change management and building commercial analytics capabilities.
• Analytical Skills: Advanced business acumen, with the ability to turn US commercial challenges into actionable analytics projects and insights that fuel growth and performance.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Strong leadership and team management capabilities.
• Experience, working in the pharma or biotech sectors, preferably working within or with the Commercial team
• Knowledge of Syndicated Claims data, Lab data (IQVIA LAAD, Symphony, Specialty Pharmacy/Specialty Distribution).

Nice To Haves

• Proven experience in performing analytics related to US commercial activities for rare or specialty diseases is highly preferred.
• US Commercial Acumen: Deep understanding of the US pharmaceutical/biotech commercial landscape, including field force dynamics, market access, specialty distribution, and key challenges in rare disease markets.
• Visionary Leadership: Ability to set a compelling vision for advanced analytics as a business driver within the US Commercial environment.
• Collaboration: Ability to engage and partner across commercial, brand, patient services, and market access teams.
• Ethical Judgment: Commitment to ethical data practices, patient privacy, and compliance with US regulatory standards (HIPAA, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and lead the execution of a data science and advanced analytics strategy tailored to the US Commercial business, with a focus on maximizing field effectiveness, patient identification, customer engagement, and commercial success in rare and specialty disease markets. Partner with US Commercial leadership and cross-functional collaborators to ensure alignment of analytics priorities. Drive the adoption of AI, predictive modeling, and advanced insights throughout the commercial division.
• Operational Management: Coordinate the Center of Excellence's operations involving data science and sophisticated analytics to support US Commercial objectives. Ensure deliverables are timely and meet high-quality standards. Address emerging needs in the market, payer trends, and evolving competition. Continuously improve data pipelines, analytical processes, and reporting tools supporting brand, payer, and field teams.
• Team Leadership: Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing, US-focused team, including data scientists and commercial analytics specialists. Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and business partnership within the CoE, ensuring continuous skills development and team engagement.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the lead interface between the CoE and US Commercial business units, including Brand, Market Access, Patient Services, and Customer Engagement. Translate complex analyses into clear business recommendations and deliver presentations to US commercial leadership, sales teams, and external partners as needed.
• Commercial Analytics & Support: Lead building, implementation, and maintenance of advanced analytics models and dashboards to address critical commercial opportunities (e.g., targeting and segmentation, omnichannel marketing analytics, measurement of return on investment, patient journey analysis, and forecasting). Drive the use of real-world, claims, and distribution data to improve performance in rare disease launches and mature portfolio management. Support data-driven decision making by providing market insights, competitive intelligence, and field performance analytics for the US market.
• Technology and Innovation: Evaluate and deploy innovative analytics technologies, AI/ML platforms, and advanced data tools that give US Commercial teams a competitive advantage. Monitor commercial analytics trends and practices in the US healthcare market and integrate outstanding solutions.
• Performance Measurement: Define and track critical metrics measuring CoE impact within US Commercial performance (e.g., sales growth, market penetration, HCP engagement, launch excellence). Deliver actionable dashboards, reports, and insights to multiple US Commercial collaborators and regional representatives

Benefits

• qualified retirement programs
• paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves)
• health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree