Senior Director, Patient Centered Science
About The Position
The Senior Director, Patient Centered Science oversees the people, performance, and scientific direction of the Patient Centered Science (PCS) function within Respiratory & Immunology (R&I). The role leads and develops a PCS team and ensures impactful delivery of patient-centered evidence across the R&I portfolio. It integrates patient experience into drug development, provides oversight, and supports portfolio governance and senior reviews, while also contributing directly to projects and advancing patient-centered science internally and externally. The position sets PCS strategy at therapeutic-area and portfolio levels and leads PRO/COA strategies and evidence plans, including patient experience research, instrument selection or development, and endpoint strategies. It ensures PCS expertise informs clinical development, study design, governance documents, and interpretation of results; supports regulatory and HTA interactions; and promotes methodological innovation and consistent processes. The role also disseminates evidence through publications and presentations, communicates findings to patients and other stakeholders, and represents AstraZeneca in external collaborations and venues. The position is based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and follows a hybrid arrangement requiring three days per week on site.
Requirements
- Advanced degree (MSc, MD, PhD, or PharmD) in a relevant field such as outcomes research, health services research, epidemiology, health policy, or a related discipline.
- At least 8 years of relevant experience, including at least 5 years in the biopharmaceutical industry and at least 5 years of dedicated PRO/COA experience.
- In-depth expert knowledge of PRO/COA and its application to pharmaceutical development, regulatory approval, and reimbursement internationally.
- Demonstrated experience developing and implementing patient-centered science strategies at project, therapeutic-area, and portfolio levels.
- Strong knowledge of the regulatory environment influencing clinical development plans, labeling, and promotional claims.
- Excellent knowledge of clinical development, research study designs, and their interpretation.
- Experience managing, coaching, and developing scientific staff in a complex, matrixed organization.
- Experience collaborating cross-functionally and influencing without authority at senior levels.
- Understanding and background in digital health technology (DHT) and real-world evidence (RWE) methods and their application alongside clinical development.
Nice To Haves
- Doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) in a relevant field.
- Experience in PRO instrument development and validation and PRO dossier generation, including successful negotiations with regulatory authorities.
- Experience working in respiratory and immunology therapeutic areas.
- Participation in external partnerships, industry consortia, or academic collaborations in patient-centered science.
- Experience with direct interactions with regulatory and health agencies such as FDA and EMA, and with HTA bodies.
Responsibilities
- Lead, manage, and develop a team of PCS Directors, fostering a high-performing, inclusive, scientifically rigorous, and innovative culture.
- Manage direct reports' performance and individual development through clear objectives and development plans.
- Oversee project support and scientific deliverables, and participate in governance bodies and senior cross-functional reviews.
- Provide technical and scientific coaching to direct reports through leadership review of deliverables.
- Work with R&I clinical development leadership teams on functional strategy, capability priorities, and operational decision-making.
- Serve as a senior contact for cross-functional R&I colleagues and promote PCS integration and influence throughout development.
- Align PCS strategy, knowledge, and experience sharing across BioPharma.
- Set and drive PCS strategy at therapeutic-area and portfolio levels, keeping patient experience central to drug development.
- Lead development and delivery of PRO/COA strategies and evidence-generation plans, including patient experience research, instrument selection or development, and endpoint strategies.
- Embed PCS contributions in clinical development through cross-functional collaboration and inform clinical study design, governance documents, and results interpretation.
- Support regulatory and HTA interactions related to PRO/COA, including robust evidence dossiers and a consistent external position.
- Drive methodological innovation and standard processes for collecting and communicating patient experience.
- Disseminate PCS evidence through scientific publications, internal and external presentations, congress presentations, and lay summaries.
- Represent AstraZeneca in external venues and collaborations, including interactions with FDA, EMA, PRO consortia, and HTA bodies.
Benefits
- Eligibility for short-term incentive bonuses.
- Awards for salaried roles.
- Qualified retirement programs.
- Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and leaves.
- Health coverage.
- Dental coverage.
- Vision coverage.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
