New Launches Director V&I

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MD

11d • $231,989 - $347,983 • Hybrid

About The Position

Are you ready to drive transformative change in the world of vaccines? As the New Launches Director, you will spearhead the end-to-end launch strategy and execution for priority vaccine assets. This pivotal role will see you aligning with corporate objectives and brand ambition to ensure successful launches from late-stage development through post-launch acceleration. Join us in shaping the future of healthcare and making a lasting impact on global health. When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world. At AstraZeneca, we are changemakers on the world stage at an exciting frontier of medicine. Our commitment to transforming healthcare is backed by deep knowledge and experience. We are dedicated to addressing pandemic preparedness to protect against future health crises while ensuring our products reach millions globally. Our diverse team thrives on collaboration to make essential breakthroughs that enhance lives. By harnessing science and technology in an inclusive environment where every voice is valued, we push boundaries to deliver profound impacts on global health.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in business, marketing, life sciences, public health, or related field.
• 10+ years pharmaceutical commercial experience with a robust track record in developing and executing launch and brand strategies founded on insights and clear value propositions.
• Demonstrated end‑to‑end leadership of at least one significant asset launch at country, regional, or global level; vaccines and/or infectious disease launch experience strongly preferred.
• Deep understanding of commercial strategy, including go‑to‑market design, omnichannel engagement, field force deployment, pricing, reimbursement, and market research techniques.
• Experience with vaccine‑specific market dynamics, including public/private channel strategies, health authority recommendations, tendering and procurement, seasonality, and cold-chain logistics.
• Proven financial competence and budget management, with strong understanding of forecasting, P&L drivers, investment governance, and business case development.
• Experience engaging and influencing external stakeholders, such as key disease experts, public health bodies, payers, health systems, pharmacies, and patient/advocacy organizations.
• Broad commercial experience including pre‑launch, launch, and post‑launch optimization; experience integrating clinical data and RWE into brand and lifecycle planning.
• Strong cross‑functional leadership and collaboration skills with Medical, Access/HEOR, Regulatory, Manufacturing/Supply, and Commercial Excellence; ability to lead through ambiguity and manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills, including concise executive storytelling and decision framing.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree (MBA, PhD) is desirable.
• Global or multi‑market vaccines/infectious disease launch experience across US, EU, or emerging markets.
• Experience working with government tenders, immunization schedules, and public health programs.
• Demonstrated innovative thinking to bring bold ideas to life in patient and provider engagement, including digital platforms and data partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Drive the end-to-end launch strategy and execution for priority vaccine assets, from late-stage development through post‑launch acceleration, aligning with corporate objectives and brand ambition.
• Develop and refine the integrated go‑to‑market strategy, including segmentation, value proposition, positioning, channel mix, and launch KPIs, ensuring cohesive execution across priority markets.
• Lead cross‑functional orchestration with Medical Affairs, Market Access/HEOR, Regulatory, Manufacturing/Supply, Commercial Excellence, Sales, and Communications to deliver launch readiness and excellence.
• Shape pricing, reimbursement, and policy pathways in partnership with Access teams; support recommendation bodies and tenders to secure timely access and coverage.
• Translate insights and competitive intelligence into strategy, finding opportunities, threats, and ground-breaking pathways; run scenario planning and forecasting to pressure‑test launch curves and investments.
• Align scientific and evidence plans with Medical, including effectiveness, safety, co‑administration, interchangeability, and real‑world evidence generation critical for vaccine uptake.
• Ensure supply and channel readiness with Operations, including demand-supply integration, allocation, cold-chain requirements, distribution models, and vaccination site onboarding across public and private channels.
• Lead stakeholder engagement plans with external experts, public health agencies, payers, pharmacies, health systems, and advocacy; lead all aspects of advisory boards and thought‑leader development aligned to brand objectives.
• Architect pre‑, peri‑, and post‑launch omnichannel campaigns and digital ecosystems; enable consented data capture, CRM journeys, and in‑clinic tools; partner with analytics for test‑and‑learn optimization.
• Oversee field readiness: define GTM models, size and deploy field resources, and deliver role‑specific training, objection handling, and materials tailored to vaccine topics and administration logistics.
• Govern the launch program via a stage‑gate process; maintain risk/issue registers, codify red/green flags, and coordinate rapid course corrections to keep launches on track.
• Ensure all promotional and launch activities comply with regulatory, legal, and ethical standards and AstraZeneca policies, including pharmacovigilance and quality requirements for biologics and vaccines.
• Manage allocated budgets, investment cases, and performance tracking to enhance impact and demonstrate clear return on investment communicate performance and decision rationales to senior leadership.

Benefits

• positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program
• Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees