Medical Director, Breast Cancer

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MD

1d • $193,282 - $289,922 • Hybrid

About The Position

AstraZeneca is seeking a Medical Director for US Oncology Medical Affairs, Breast Cancer, based at its Gaithersburg, Maryland headquarters. This individual-contributor role supports an innovative oncology asset approaching an anticipated clinical data readout and potential future launch in early breast cancer. Working closely with the Medical Lead, the Medical Director translates scientific evidence, clinical trial data, and insights from the medical community into medical strategy and execution. The role offers broad exposure across US Oncology Medical Affairs and the opportunity to contribute to work intended to advance patient outcomes and influence the evolving testing and treatment paradigm in endocrine therapy and ESR1 mutation resistance.

The role partners with the Medical Lead to develop and execute the US medical plan for early breast cancer, coordinates the integrated Medical Affairs Plan (iMAP), prepares for clinical data readouts and potential launch activities, and supports evidence generation. The Medical Director gathers and synthesizes insights from advisory boards, Medical Science Liaison engagement, and other scientific interactions; applies these insights to medical tactics and field engagement plans; and collaborates across functions and with internal and external stakeholders. The position also manages assigned projects and medical budget spend while ensuring activities meet governance, compliance, and operational requirements.

The position follows a hybrid work model, with an average minimum of three days per week in the Gaithersburg office. The annual base salary range is $193,281.60–$289,922.40. The role offers a short-term incentive bonus opportunity and, for salaried roles, eligibility to participate in an equity-based long-term incentive program. Benefits include a qualified retirement program (401(k)), paid vacation and holidays, paid leaves, and medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage, subject to applicable plan terms and conditions.

Requirements

• Advanced scientific or clinical degree, such as an MD, PharmD, PhD, MBBS, or international equivalent.
• At least 3 years of Medical Affairs experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Oncology experience and the ability to engage confidently with complex scientific and clinical evidence.
• Experience with evidence generation and clinical trial methodology.
• Strong project and stakeholder management experience, including building productive relationships across functions and externally.
• Experience working effectively in complex matrix organisations and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to gather, interpret, and translate scientific and field insights into actionable Medical Affairs strategies and tactics.
• Business acumen and foundational financial-management capability.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with a proactive approach to ownership and delivery.

Nice To Haves

• MD or equivalent with oncology specialisation, PharmD, or PhD in a relevant scientific discipline.
• Experience in breast cancer, particularly early breast cancer.
• US headquarters Medical Affairs experience within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Experience supporting a significant clinical data readout and/or product launch.
• Experience developing and delivering country Medical Affairs plans.
• Understanding of the evolving technical, regulatory, policy, and real-world evidence environment.
• Budget management experience.
• Biotechnology experience or experience in another environment requiring broad scientific and operational responsibilities, agility, and cross-functional leadership.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Medical Lead to develop and execute the US medical plan for early breast cancer.
• Coordinate development and ongoing review of the integrated Medical Affairs Plan (iMAP), turning medical priorities into actionable initiatives.
• Help prepare the organisation for clinical data readouts and potential future launch activities.
• Develop deep scientific knowledge of the disease area, asset, clinical development programme, and evolving breast cancer treatment landscape.
• Gather and synthesize insights through advisory boards, Medical Science Liaison engagement, and other scientific interactions, and translate them into medical tactics.
• Inform Field Engagement plans by identifying emerging needs and recommending adjustments to medical strategy and execution.
• Support evidence-generation activities and apply knowledge of clinical trial methodology to Medical Affairs priorities.
• Partner across functions, support the Medical Lead on cross-functional teams, and lead working groups where appropriate.
• Manage assigned projects and oversee medical budget spend against agreed priorities.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including healthcare providers, payers, patients, and scientific experts.
• Ensure Medical Affairs activities comply with governance, compliance, and operational requirements.

Benefits

• Short-term incentive bonus opportunity.
• Eligibility to participate in an equity-based long-term incentive program for salaried roles.
• Qualified retirement program (401(k) plan).
• Paid vacation and holidays.
• Paid leaves.
• Medical coverage.
• Prescription drug coverage.
• Dental coverage.
• Vision coverage.

What This Job Offers

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