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Executive Director, Oncology Business Unit Strategy

AstraZeneca


Job Location:

Gaithersburg, MD - USA

Hourly Salary: $ 270222 - 405332
Posted: 22 May 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 19 August 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy
The job posting is outdated and position may be filled

Job Summary

Introduction to role:

Drive innovation and impact at AstraZeneca by leading strategy for our industry-leading oncology pipeline. Collaborate with R&D and the Oncology Business Unit to shape and deliver cutting-edge therapies that improve patient outcomes and bring us closer to eradicating cancer.

As Executive Director Oncology Business Unit (OBU) Strategy you will lead a high-impact agenda at the intersection of science medicine and business. Working with a team of experts across Oncology R&D and the OBU you will be responsible for creating and implementing strategies to deliver an industryleading and innovative oncology pipeline that improves patient care and outcomes. These strategies will be built through rigorous analyses actionable insights innovative thinking and crossfunctional teamwork. This is an opportunity for a motivated collaborative datadriven leader to help AstraZeneca advance its bold ambition to one day eradicate cancer as a cause of death.

Accountabilities:

  • Set integrated oncology strategy: Lead development and implementation of therapy area tumour and indication strategies that align into a single companywide oncology strategy with Oncology R&D and global franchise partners.
  • Engage senior leadership: Provide disciplined insightsdriven valuations and strategic recommendations to Csuite stakeholders to guide portfolio and investment decisions.
  • Own tumor portfolio leadership: Serve as the single point of contact and single voice for OBU tumor strategy chairing bimonthly tumor forums and establishing best practices and transparent coverage across priority tumors (e.g. Breast Lung).
  • Drive commercial analytics and forecasting: Lead market research forecasting and insight generation to shape global brand strategies R&D decisions supply planning and TA scenario analyses across multiple GPTs and assets.
  • Deliver robust pipeline forecasts: Produce rigorous assumptionbased forecasts for all tumor pipeline assets through the annual cycle clearly articulating risks opportunities and context for senior leaders.
  • Ensure process excellence and governance: Drive clarity and consistency across key business processes (forecast reviews investment cases TA/portfolio reviews business and audit reviews) including partnering with Finance VPs on annual impairment assessments.
  • Navigate complex development and market dynamics: Integrate study designs TPPs CDPs combination strategies competitive and pricing landscapes and stagespecific disease strategies to inform prioritization and investment.
  • Steward major investments and opportunities: Lead large investment requests and business opportunity assessments to optimize value creation across evolving tumor markets.
  • Lead and influence across the enterprise: Guide and develop Directors/Associate Directors maintain trusted partnerships with clinical commercial and strategy leaders and influence senior stakeholders across OBU and Oncology R&D without formal authority.

Essential Skills/Experience:

  • MBA or PhD

  • 10 years in biopharmaceuticals or related fields

  • Extensive experience in oncology

  • Strong consultative and communication skills

  • A strong scientific background and strategic analytical skills

  • Proven experience in pharmaceutical industry or consulting in which you have inputted to global pipeline strategy (market assessment competitor analysis forecasting)

  • Excellent analysis and fact-based decision-making

  • Experience with data and/or a science research/ bio-pharmaceutical environment

  • Highly intellectually capable with agility and adaptability

  • Motivated by working in a fast-paced field with clear societal impact

  • Understanding of general business and core marketing principles and application to future healthcare market challenges

  • Familiar with the oncology drug development process and necessary strategic and commercial touch points

  • Able to influence without authority and establish and maintain credibility with senior audiences

  • Resourceful motivated decisive and proactive; must be able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-growing organization;

  • Attention to detail but also a big picture thinker & communicator

  • A critical thinker with experience of identifying and driving key projects and providing researched verified relevant information to leaders.

Preferred Skills/Experience:

  • PhD in life sciences

  • Experience of setting up short- and long-term strategic plans

  • Understanding of clinical data and clinical trial design

  • Experience in at least two major geographies (e.g. US EU Japan China)

  • Thorough understanding of regulatory and pricing dynamics in major markets

Are you ready to bring new insights and fresh thinking to the table Brilliant! We have one seat available and we hope its yours. Apply today.

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds with as wide a range of perspectives as possible and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates regardless of their characteristics. We follow all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment) as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $270222 - $405332. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors including market location job-related knowledge skills and addition our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles) to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles) and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). 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. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired employee will be in an at-will position and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time including for reasons related to individual performance Company or individual department/team performance and market factors.

Date Posted

20-May-2026

Closing Date

11-Jun-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and 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.


Required Experience:

Director


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AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer. AstraZeneca will consider all qualified applicants for employment without discrimination on grounds of disability, sex or sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity leave status, race or national or ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, ... View more

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