**This position is a field-based role**
Our Culture
At AstraZeneca, leadership is grounded in science, purpose, and impact. We cultivate a culture where bold thinking, collaboration, and accountability are encouraged, and where medical leaders play a defining role in shaping how science translates into better care.
Sustainability and societal impact are integral to how we lead. We recognize that the health of patients, communities, and our planet are inseparable, and we act accordingly, advancing access to healthcare, disease prevention, and long-term system resilience.
Introduction to the Role
The Respiratory MSL Manager is a medical leadership role within AstraZeneca Canada, accountable for advancing respiratory care through scientific excellence, strategic clarity, and measurable impact.
As a member of the Medical Leadership Team, this role helps shape national medical strategy and ensures detailed execution through a high-performing field-based MSL organization. The Respiratory MSL Manager is responsible for setting the standard for MSL performance, embedding a culture of accountability and ownership, and clearly demonstrating the value and impact of Medical Affairs at local, regional, and national levels.
This role embodies AstraZeneca Medical’s core leadership mantra: Clear Science. Clear Intent. Clear Impact.
Key Accountabilities
Clear Science
Ensuring scientific excellence, credibility, and confidence in every medical interaction.
Serve as a scientific leader for the Respiratory portfolio, maintaining current expertise in disease biology, clinical evidence, and evolving standards of care.
Set and uphold the national standard for high-quality, non-promotional scientific exchange with KEEs and healthcare stakeholders.
Develop and strengthen MSL capabilities in advanced scientific dialogue, data interpretation, and evidence translation.
Ensure insights generated by the field are scientifically robust, clinically relevant, and strategically meaningful.
Act as a visible role model for scientific integrity, rigor, and patient-centric thinking across Medical Affairs.
Clear Intent
Translating strategy into focused priorities and aligned execution.
Contribute as an active participant in the Medical Leadership Group, crafting national respiratory medical strategy, priorities, and prioritization.
Translate Brand and Franchise Medical Strategies into clear, executable regional MSL plans aligned to corporate and medical objectives.
Establish clear expectations regarding MSL performance efficiency, aligned to strategic imperatives and enterprise priorities.
Drive alignment across Medical, Commercial, Market Access, and other cross-functional teams to ensure coordinated and purposeful customer engagement.
Lead training, performance management, and development planning to ensure each MSL understands not just what to do, but why it matters.
Clear Impact
Demonstrating measurable value to patients, healthcare systems, and the organization.
Build and lead a high-performing MSL team with a strong foundation of answerability, ownership, and outcomes-based thinking.
Ensure consistent execution excellence across regions, translating strategy into tangible changes in clinical understanding, practice, and pathways of care.
Proactively articulate and showcase the impact of MSL activities.
Elevate the visibility and value of Medical Affairs by clearly communicating outcomes, insights, and contributions to senior leadership.
Champion continuous improvement by using data, feedback, and insights to refine strategy and execution over time.
Leadership, Collaboration & Governance
Collaborate closely with other MSL Managers to drive consistency, best-practice sharing, and national performance.
Lead financial planning and stewardship for the field team, ensuring responsible and strategic use of resources.
Dedicate up to ~30% of time to head office, field leadership, and joint scientific engagements.
Ensure full compliance with all local regulatory requirements, industry codes, and AstraZeneca policies.
Essential Skills & Experience
Advanced scientific or clinical degree (PhD, MD, PharmD, MSc or equivalent).
Minimum of 5 years’ experience as an MSL in the pharmaceutical industry.
Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams.
Outstanding scientific communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Strong strategic thinking combined with operational execution excellence.
Willingness and ability to travel locally, regionally, and nationally.
Desirable Skills & Experience
Experience in Respiratory therapeutic areas.
Previous people leadership or field-based team management experience.
Demonstrated experience contributing to medical strategy and launch execution.
Strong knowledge of Canadian regulatory and compliance requirements.
Ability to mentor others and build future medical leaders.
Track record of demonstrating and communicating Medical Affairs impact to senior leadership.
Annual base salary for this position ranges from $151,780.8 to $199,212.30. AstraZeneca is committed to providing fair and equitable compensation opportunities to all colleagues. Our compensation policies and practices have been designed to allow colleagues to progress through the salary range over time as they progress in their role. The range provided in this posting represents an offer pay range used in a majority of situations. The base pay offered will vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including the candidate's skills and experience, job-related knowledge, and other specific business and organizational needs. In some cases, offers outside the range may also be considered to address unique circumstances.
In addition, our permanent positions offer an annual Variable Pay Bonus/Short Term Incentive opportunity as well as eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (if applicable to role). Benefits offered for permanent roles include a competitive Flex Benefits & Retirement Savings Program, 4 weeks’ paid vacation, and annual Personal Days. Fixed Term Contract/Temporary positions (excluding students) are offered a Contract Benefits Program.
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AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination. AstraZeneca is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Such accommodation is available on request in respect of all aspects of the recruitment, assessment and selection process and may be requested by emailing AZCHumanResources@astrazeneca.com.
Date Posted
17-Jan-2026Closing Date
30-Jan-2026AstraZeneca 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 comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.