US Executive Director, Early Assets

Introduction to role:

Are you ready to turn ideas into life-changing medicines? At AstraZeneca, scientific innovation drives everything we do to address unmet patient needs. In this role, reporting directly to the US Executive Director Early Assets, the US Executive Director, Early Assets will lead the development of bold US medical strategies for our early pipeline, provide scientific input to cross-functional teams, and build an influential external network across US disease areas where AstraZeneca has pipeline programs. This is a chance to develop, design, and influence across a complex matrix so that US perspectives are embedded in global development plans and future launches. Want to be at the point where early science meets real-world impact?

What You'll Do:

• Lead the US medical strategy for early pipeline assets, ensuring alignment with portfolio priorities, disease area strategy, and long-term business objectives.
• Act as the internal US medical authority for emerging assets, providing authoritative mentorship on scientific, clinical, and real-world considerations across cardiovascular, metabolism, and related therapeutic areas.
• Partner closely with global medical and R&D teams to shape robust translational and early clinical development plans, integrating US medical insights, health system realities, and real-world data opportunities.
• Influence study builds and development strategies by collaborating with Clinical, Global Commercial, and Medical teams on endpoints, comparators, inclusion/exclusion criteria, and real-world evidence plans that enable future US access, labeling, and promotion.
• Craft clear and compelling scientific narratives that differentiate early assets, support value propositions, and underpin impactful launch and lifecycle strategies.
• Drive evidence generation plans across the product lifecycle, including clinical trials and real-world evidence initiatives that support practice change and guideline evolution in the US.
• Build and coordinate comprehensive external engagement strategies with US authorities, professional societies, policy influencers, and patient groups to inform development plans and accelerate adoption of innovation.
• Play a key role in medical advisory boards and scientific exchanges, ensuring high-quality insight generation that shapes both global and US strategies.
• Build and nurture a strong external network across all relevant programs and disease areas, positioning AstraZeneca as a trusted scientific partner in obesity/weight management, cardiovascular disease, metabolism, and adjacent fields.
• Champion cross-functional collaboration within a complex matrix environment, connecting stakeholders across Medical, R&D, Commercial, Market Access, HEOR, and Policy to drive coordinated decision-making.
• Identify and act on opportunities to accelerate early asset development, de-risk key decisions, and prepare the US market for first-in-class or best-in-class launches.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Sophisticated Scientific Degree (MBBS, PharmD, PhD, or MD) or international equivalent
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry (medical, marketing, R&D, market access roles), or working in a relevant health system setting (clinical, pharmacy, pathway design etc.)
• Deep medical, clinical or scientific expertise in CV and metabolism (especially in obesity/weight management). Experience/knowledge in immunology and/or cell therapy also preferred.
• Experienced business leader able to deliver results in a complex matrix environment
• US regulatory strategy knowledge including product approval, label requirements/negotiation
• Validated ability to build internal/external networks and to collaborate internally/externally
• Substantial evidence generation/data expertise, e.g. clinical trial experience (conducted Ph2, Ph3 or Ph4 studies), and/or substantial RWE experience

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Global and/or R&D experience, or consistent record of supporting early asset or first-in-class product development
• Relevant experience beyond medical affairs (e.g. in a marketing/R&D/market access role)

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.

At AstraZeneca, medical leaders sit at the intersection of cutting-edge science and real-world healthcare practice, shaping decisions from early R&D investment through to evidence that changes clinical guidelines. The environment is fast-paced and collaborative, with close partnerships across Research & Development, Commercial, Market Access and external experts to turn promising early assets into medicines that matter. Curiosity is encouraged, new ideas are acted on quickly, and there is genuine scope to grow skills across therapy areas, functions and geographies as our pipeline expands. Working here means contributing directly to advances that improve patients’ lives while developing a career with breadth, depth and continuous learning.

If this role matches your experience and ambition, apply now to help shape the future of early medicines development at AstraZeneca.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $331,874 to $497,810 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 experience. In 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

28-Apr-2026

Closing Date

07-May-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.