Senior Director, Medical Evidence Strategy

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MD

4d • $243,586 - $365,380 • Hybrid

About The Position

At AstraZeneca, we transform ideas into life-changing medicines. Our Biopharmaceuticals Medical (BPM) Respiratory and Immunology (RI) mission is to ensure every person living with respiratory and immunology disease receives the right care at the right moment, maximizing health and minimizing the impact on daily life. As an integral part of the global Medical Affairs organization, the Medical Evidence function drives this mission by providing healthcare practitioners, policy-makers, patients, and payers worldwide with strategically prioritized evidence. This is achieved either by directly driving evidence strategy and study delivery or by collaborating with AstraZeneca’s local markets.

The BPM RI Medical Evidence Strategy Director role is a senior epidemiologist position that combines strategy, science, and people management skills. This role reports to the Head of Medical Evidence Strategy and partners closely with the Head(s) of medical brands. The individual will drive the Integrated Evidence Strategy plan, covering a portfolio from Phase 3 projects to post-launch marketed products. The scope includes various scientific studies, from real-world database observational studies to pragmatic clinical studies. They will act as an expert, independent scientific lead for the planning and execution of real-world studies (both primary and secondary) and will consult on observational methods. They will supervise, develop, and coach their direct reports, ensuring cohesive and efficient ways of working within their team and with other key functions. They are responsible for their teams’ evidence study delivery, ensuring scientific excellence, adherence to timelines, budget management, and compliance with Standard Operating Procedures.

Furthermore, this role is responsible for managing governance activities for medical evidence studies (Global and Local) to the highest quality standards. This may include chairing the protocol Evidence Review Team and other activities defined by Standard Operating Procedures. These responsibilities require extensive experience within the pharmaceutical industry, deep knowledge of medical evidence methodologies, and significant experience in communicating impactful evidence. To excel in this role, deep expertise in the design, conduct, and analysis of medical research, combined with a strategic mindset and people-management skills, is essential. Exceptional communication skills when presenting evidence are also crucial.

Requirements

• Doctoral level degree (PhD/PharmD), or MSc/MPH in Epidemiology or Public Health with significant experience (10+ years for both PhD or MSc/MPH) of evidence strategy and generation primarily in pharma business, but also across CRO or academia.
• Experience with direct people management.
• Proven record of setting strategic and tactical evidence plans.
• Extensive hands-on experience of clinical/observational research, drug development process and relevant guidelines (GCP/ICH).
• Persuasive communicator in English, with a proven ability to work collaboratively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to drive concise impactful messages from evidence studies.
• Knowledge of drug life cycle management.
• Respiratory or Immunology therapeutic and disease area knowledge.
• Broad knowledge of health care systems.
• Integrity and high ethical standards.
• Proven ability to interact widely and effectively across functions, regions and cultures.

Nice To Haves

• Doctoral level degree in Epidemiology plus MD or PharmD with clinical experience.
• Extensive Pharma industry experience, preferably including experience from local Marketing Company.
• Extensive experience from leading and managing people in a global, matrix environment.
• Experience and proven ability of leading cross-functional teams in evidence generation strategy and delivery to support physician/payer/policy/patient needs.
• Experience with protocol review process and other types of evidence study governance.
• Expertise in Respiratory or Immunology disease area.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of Medical Evidence Strategy in partnership with Medical Affairs Leads, aligned with medical priorities in the Therapeutic Area (TA) and for specific assets.
• Identify evidence requirements/gaps and evidence priorities, based on a thorough understanding of clinical practice, disease area, and applicable methods.
• Implement sustainability and health policy objectives.
• Take responsibility for the development and delivery of brand-specific Medical Evidence tactical plans on time and within budget, with high scientific quality and impact.
• Serve as Scientific Lead for evidence studies, applying appropriate Study Design & Analytical methods to generate robust scientific evidence based on all applicable research methodologies (ranging from pragmatic interventional studies and implementation science to observational studies based on secondary data and utilization of emerging technology and AI).
• Lead governance procedures, as applicable, for the review and approval of medical studies (defined by SOPs).
• Translate evidence into messaging that drives decisions for clinicians, payers, regulators, and internal governance; communicate clearly to senior leadership.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team; foster a culture of scientific rigor, delivery excellence, and excellence in communicating evidence impact.
• Drive collaboration across Medical, Health Economics/Payer Evidence, Medical/Biostatistics, Market Access, Clinical, and Commercial to deliver cohesive plans and impact.
• Define and uphold scientific standards, methods, and quality systems for observational research, interventional studies, and evidence synthesis.
• Represent AZ in scientific forums and partnerships; shape external evidence standards through collaborations and publications.

Benefits

• 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
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree