US Medical Affairs Director, Evidence Strategy and Operational Partnership

AstraZeneca•Gaithersburg, MD

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The US Medical Affairs Director, Evidence Strategy and Operational Partnership is accountable for end-to-end evidence delivery and alliance operations across US Medical Affairs, this role owns Alliance Leadership and the integrated, annual US Evidence Plan as its primary deliverable. The director leads strategic ESR alliances (e.g., NCI, NCCN, EORTC, Partner of Choice), directly manages a team of US-based ESR Managers, standardizes ways of working, and ensures compliant, efficient, and impactful evidence generation that advances patient outcomes and USMA priorities. Ready to shape how evidence drives cancer care from early diagnosis through survivorship? Accountabilities Lead strategic ESR alliances and oversee operational performance, ensuring ways of working are clearly defined, efficient, and aligned across global and local teams. Drive portfolio reviews, risk and issue management, and budget stewardship while providing timely metrics and updates to internal and external stakeholders and governance bodies. Own the integrated US ESR Evidence Plan as the primary yearly deliverable. In collaboration with US franchises, build and maintain a single, unified plan for evidence generated in the US. Coordinate global and local alignment to ensure consistency, shared standards, and prioritized objectives. Lead structured gap analyses to identify critical evidence needs and translate them into funded studies (ESR, RWE, HEOR, registries, alliance studies). Oversee intake, prioritization, and portfolio tiering; allocate resources, set KPIs, manage risks, orchestrate US-led governance, and maintain a visible plan of record that maps to AZ/OBU scorecards and therapy area strategies. Manage and develop a team of ESR Managers through clear objectives, performance management, coaching, and capability building. Optimize capacity, vendor use, and workload across franchises while fostering an inclusive, high-performance culture that encourages initiative and accountability. Establish and continuously refine the operating model for evidence delivery. Create standardized playbooks, templates, and KPIs. Ensure adherence to AZ Procedural Documents, ICH/GCP, data privacy requirements, and ethical standards. Maintain audit readiness at all times and act decisively on compliance issues while championing continuous improvement. Collaborate across functions with Therapy Area Medical Leaders, Field Medical, HEOR/RWE, Compliance, Finance, and external vendors to align priorities, resolve interdependencies, and accelerate delivery. Present portfolio and plan updates to senior stakeholders with clarity and impact. Oversee performance and impact reporting for the US evidence portfolio. Supervise quarterly portfolio reviews; track cycle times, study startup, enrollment, data quality, budget adherence, and evidence gap closure. Deliver executive readouts that highlight insights, share learnings across teams, and drive ongoing optimization. Drive innovation in the evidence generation process by deploying digital tools and analytics, streamlining intake-to-delivery workflows, piloting AI-enabled use cases, and scaling successful approaches. Reduce cycle times, improve quality, and increase impact across US Medical Affairs by challenging existing processes and testing new ideas. Essential Skills/Experience Bachelor’s degree 5+ years in Clinical Operations/Medical Affairs evidence delivery 3+ years of formal or informal people management. Experience with Investigator Initiated Sponsored Research oversight and alliance/collaboration operations. Proven track record in building and governing evidence plans and portfolios in pharma/biotech. Excellent written and verbal English; proficiency with study/financial systems (e.g., Evidence Connect, VCV, Accord, Anaplan). Experience managing budget and finances. Desirable Skills/Experience Deep knowledge of AZ Procedural Documents, ICH/GCP, Medical Governance, and ISR policies. Advanced Degree Portfolio management, prioritization, decision-making, and strong financial stewardship. Process Automation Experience Inclusive leadership, coaching, stakeholder management, and communication across seniority and functions. Financial and Data literacy and operational rigor; ability to standardize processes and drive measurable outcomes. High integrity, resilience, adaptability, and patient centric mindset. 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. AstraZeneca offers the chance to transform the lives of people living with cancer by leading in patient experience and care, working across a broad and innovative pipeline where scientific insight meets commercial excellence to bring earlier-stage interventions with curative possibilities and precision combinations to patients worldwide. Here teams experiment with new approaches, take smart risks with science as a guardrail, co-create across disciplines, learn from failures as well as successes, and build long-term careers as influential leaders who help shape the future cancer care environment from early diagnosis through survivorship. Ready to lead evidence strategy that changes cancer care outcomes? Apply now to join us on this ambitious journey. The annual base pay for this position ranges from $193,281 to $289,922. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans. Date Posted 14-Apr-2026 Closing Date 20-Apr-2026 Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form. AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company. We focus on discovering, developing and commercialising prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we are more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science, challenge convention and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. To embrace differences and take bold actions to drive the change needed to meet global healthcare and sustainability challenges. There is no better place to make a difference in medicine, patients, and society. An inclusive culture where you will connect different thinking to generate new and valuable opportunities. Where you will find a commitment to lifelong learning, growth and development for all. Our Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) mission is to create an inclusive and equitable environment where people belong, using the power of our diversity to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines to patients. Inclusion and diversity are fundamental to the success of our company, because innovation requires breakthrough ideas that only come from a diverse workforce empowered to challenge conventional thinking. We’re curious about science and the advancement of knowledge. We find creative ways to approach new challenges. We’re driven to make the right choices and be accountable for our actions. As an organisation centred around what makes us human, we put a big focus on people. Across our business, we want colleagues to wake up excited about their day at the office, in the field, or in the lab. Along with our purpose to bring life-changing medicines to people across the globe, we have a promise to you: to help you realise the full breadth of your potential. Here, you’ll do work that has the potential to change your life and improve countless others. And, together with your team, you’ll shape a culture that unites and inspires us every day. This is your life at AstraZeneca.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
5+ years in Clinical Operations/Medical Affairs evidence delivery
3+ years of formal or informal people management.
Experience with Investigator Initiated Sponsored Research oversight and alliance/collaboration operations.
Proven track record in building and governing evidence plans and portfolios in pharma/biotech.
Excellent written and verbal English; proficiency with study/financial systems (e.g., Evidence Connect, VCV, Accord, Anaplan).
Experience managing budget and finances.

Nice To Haves

Deep knowledge of AZ Procedural Documents, ICH/GCP, Medical Governance, and ISR policies.
Advanced Degree
Portfolio management, prioritization, decision-making, and strong financial stewardship.
Process Automation Experience
Inclusive leadership, coaching, stakeholder management, and communication across seniority and functions.
Financial and Data literacy and operational rigor; ability to standardize processes and drive measurable outcomes.
High integrity, resilience, adaptability, and patient centric mindset.

Responsibilities

Lead strategic ESR alliances and oversee operational performance, ensuring ways of working are clearly defined, efficient, and aligned across global and local teams.
Drive portfolio reviews, risk and issue management, and budget stewardship while providing timely metrics and updates to internal and external stakeholders and governance bodies.
Own the integrated US ESR Evidence Plan as the primary yearly deliverable.
In collaboration with US franchises, build and maintain a single, unified plan for evidence generated in the US.
Coordinate global and local alignment to ensure consistency, shared standards, and prioritized objectives.
Lead structured gap analyses to identify critical evidence needs and translate them into funded studies (ESR, RWE, HEOR, registries, alliance studies).
Oversee intake, prioritization, and portfolio tiering; allocate resources, set KPIs, manage risks, orchestrate US-led governance, and maintain a visible plan of record that maps to AZ/OBU scorecards and therapy area strategies.
Manage and develop a team of ESR Managers through clear objectives, performance management, coaching, and capability building.
Optimize capacity, vendor use, and workload across franchises while fostering an inclusive, high-performance culture that encourages initiative and accountability.
Establish and continuously refine the operating model for evidence delivery.
Create standardized playbooks, templates, and KPIs.
Ensure adherence to AZ Procedural Documents, ICH/GCP, data privacy requirements, and ethical standards.
Maintain audit readiness at all times and act decisively on compliance issues while championing continuous improvement.
Collaborate across functions with Therapy Area Medical Leaders, Field Medical, HEOR/RWE, Compliance, Finance, and external vendors to align priorities, resolve interdependencies, and accelerate delivery.
Present portfolio and plan updates to senior stakeholders with clarity and impact.
Oversee performance and impact reporting for the US evidence portfolio.
Supervise quarterly portfolio reviews; track cycle times, study startup, enrollment, data quality, budget adherence, and evidence gap closure.
Deliver executive readouts that highlight insights, share learnings across teams, and drive ongoing optimization.
Drive innovation in the evidence generation process by deploying digital tools and analytics, streamlining intake-to-delivery workflows, piloting AI-enabled use cases, and scaling successful approaches.
Reduce cycle times, improve quality, and increase impact across US Medical Affairs by challenging existing processes and testing new ideas.