US Medical Director – Immunology (Saphnelo)

AstraZeneca • Wilmington, DE

6d • $193,282 - $289,922 • Hybrid

About The Position

The US Medical Director – Immunology (Saphnelo) plays a pivotal role in shaping and advancing the US medical strategy for Saphnelo IV/SC and its lifecycle management indications, including systemic sclerosis (SSc), cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), lupus nephritis (LN), and idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). Reporting to the US Medical Head, Immunology, this role is a core member of the US Medical Team Immunology and will help define the scientific narrative, evidence generation plans, launch readiness activities, and scientific communications strategy for Saphnelo in the US. This is a highly visible, cross-functional leadership opportunity that will directly influence how scientific data is translated into meaningful medical impact for clinicians, patients, and the broader healthcare community.

Requirements

• An advanced degree such as MS, MD, PhD, or PharmD.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in medical affairs, clinical development, and/or lifecycle management within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or academic sectors.
• Strong expertise in immunology, rheumatology, autoimmune disease, or a closely related therapeutic area.
• Solid understanding of the US regulatory and compliance environment, including FDA and OPDP requirements.
• Experience contributing to evidence generation, RWE/HEOR, publications, congress strategy, and scientific communications.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a cross-functional matrix environment and align US and global medical priorities.
• Excellent scientific communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• The ability to translate complex scientific information into clear, compelling, accessible, and compliant messages for diverse audiences.
• Strong judgment, collaborative leadership, and a commitment to high ethical standards.
• Willingness and ability to travel within the US and occasionally internationally.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience supporting launch readiness for new indications or lifecycle expansion opportunities.
• Experience working across multiple stakeholder groups, including Medical, Commercial, Clinical Development, Regulatory, Market Access/HEOR, Medical Information, and Patient Safety.
• Familiarity with building or refining scientific platforms and medical response strategies.
• Experience engaging with external experts, institutions, and professional societies in a compliant scientific exchange setting.
• Interest in or experience with innovative and AI-enabled approaches to improve medical affairs effectiveness and execution.

Responsibilities

• Co-shape and execute US medical strategy for Saphnelo lifecycle management, ensuring alignment with broader business and medical priorities.
• Develop and communicate the US scientific narrative across indications, translating complex clinical and scientific data into clear, accurate, and compliant strategies and materials.
• Support launch readiness for lifecycle indications, including scientific platform development, congress planning, internal training, scientific response planning, and medical information preparedness.
• Partner on evidence generation strategy, including real-world evidence (RWE), health economics and outcomes research (HEOR), externally sponsored research (ESRs), publication planning, and congress activities.
• Contribute to external scientific engagement plans with key experts, institutions, professional societies, and other stakeholders in a compliant and strategic manner.
• Provide medical review and scientific input for publications, training materials, FAQs, and promotional and non-promotional content in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Deliver scientific and clinical training for Field Medical teams and internal stakeholders to build readiness across lifecycle priorities.
• Collaborate closely with global teams to ensure US insights and needs are reflected in global medical and development plans.
• Ensure full compliance with FDA, OPDP, PhRMA, and AstraZeneca policies, standards, and ways of working.
• Champion innovative and AI-enabled ways of working to improve efficiency and enhance medical impact.

Benefits

• short-term incentive bonus opportunity
• equity-based long-term incentive program
• retirement contribution
• commission payment eligibility
• 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