Health Economics & Payer Evidence Director, R&I

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MD

5d

About The Position

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and commercializes prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. We work in a fast-paced, agile environment powered by technology and digital innovation, united by a shared purpose to deliver life-changing medicines. We are now seeking a Health Economics & Payer Evidence (HEPE) Director to join Global Market Access & Pricing (GMAP). You will support our Respiratory & Immunology (R&I) portfolio, aligned with the Respiratory, Immunology & Other early Pipeline HEPE strategy. If you have deep knowledge in health economics, payer evidence requirements and their application to pharmaceutical development across international markets, this role offers the opportunity to influence development, strategy, and patient access at a global level.

Requirements

• Experience in respiratory, immunology and early-pipeline activities, translating clinical plans into payer needs
• Demonstrated understanding of the development process for new molecules and the ability to align strategies with payer needs.
• Knowledge of pricing and reimbursement processes across markets.
• Strong ability to interpret and analyse complex information and solve problems effectively.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to anticipate future challenges and develop breakthrough approaches.
• Resilience and adaptability when navigating high-stakes or ambiguous situations.
• Experience driving publication strategies, developing peer-reviewed research, and communicating complex ideas.
• Proven ability to build partnerships, work collaboratively, and address difficult issues with confidence.
• Solid understanding of global healthcare systems and evolving payer evidence needs.
• Degree in biomedical science, business, economics, or quantitative disciplines.
• Postgraduate training in health economics or equivalent experience.
• Experience within payer, HTA, public health, or health policy.
• Minimum of three payer-related launches at any level (local, regional, or global).
• Deep technical capability in health economics, evidence synthesis, trial design/analysis, economic modelling, and other analytical methods relevant to payer needs.

Responsibilities

• Shape the strategic HEPE direction for the compounds under your responsibility.
• Demonstrate the value of our products to patients, payers, and health authorities worldwide.
• Design and implement innovative and insight-driven HEPE strategies that inform target product profiles, global payer evidence plans, and market access and pricing approaches.
• Lead the generation of robust scientific evidence used to inform portfolio decisions, global reimbursement dossiers, and submissions to secure market access.
• Proactively identify and address challenges that may impact payer decisions and take responsibility for developing and executing detailed tactical and strategic payer evidence plans.
• Build the strongest possible evidence packages to support patient access across diverse healthcare systems.
• Prepare proposals for outsourced projects and work closely with local affiliates to ensure evidence packages reflect country-specific payer needs.
• Ensure payer insights influence global development programs from early stages onward as the HEPE representative on cross-functional teams.
• Help develop the long-term capability of the HEPE CVRM team, mentoring junior colleagues and contributing to the team’s strategic direction.

Benefits

• Short-term incentive bonus opportunity
• Equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles)
• Retirement contribution (hourly roles)
• Commission payment eligibility (sales roles)
• 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