Executive Director, Portfolio Strategy & Business Development - OBU Strategy

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 (OBU) to shape and deliver cutting‑edge therapies that improve patient outcomes and bring us closer to eradicating cancer.

Working with a team of experts across Oncology R&D and the Oncology Business Unit, responsible for creating and implementing strategies to deliver an industry‑leading and innovative oncology pipeline that improves patient care and outcomes. Strategies will be multi‑brand or brand agnostic and built through analyses, insights, innovative thinking and cross‑functional teamwork. An opportunity for a motivated, collaborative data‑driven leader to help AstraZeneca one day eradicate cancer as a cause of death.

The role

includes people management responsibilities, overseeing a high‑performing team and fostering a culture of collaboration, maintaining high‑performance and accountability.

• Leads the development and implementation of Business Unit therapy area, multi‑brand or brand‑agnostic strategies that integrate into one company‑wide oncology strategy built with counterparts in global franchises and oncology R&D

• Drives portfolio strategic initiatives that enhance AZ’s competitiveness and deliver sustainable growth

• Frequently engages with C‑Suite level leaders (SET and SET‑1) to provide disciplined insights‑driven valuations and strategies

• Drives clarity and consistency across priority business processes in major governance forums. These include investment decisions, TA Strategy/Portfolio reviews and long‑range plans across the specific tumour portfolios

• Engages with Finance VPs to ensure robust assessment of value in annual impairment review (key audit process)

• Leads the portfolio team in delivery of the commercial analysis, business development valuations, forecasting, market research and insight generation to shape and deliver OBU priorities: R&D decisions, supply planning and TA scenario analysis – including leadership of other team members working across the OBU Strategy team. You will work closely with the tumour area heads in OBU Strategy to do this.

• Understanding and communication of complex study design, TPPs, CDP’s, combination approaches, competition, pricing, prioritization, and decision making considerations expected in the context of our competitors’ strategies

• Managing large investment requests and business development opportunity assessments with extreme confidentiality, quality and rigor for consistency in approach

• Influence with and without authority a large number of senior stakeholders (SET, SET‑1, SET‑2) across OBU and ORD and criss‑crossing tumour and asset alignment meetings

• Monitor market trends, competitive dynamics, and emerging science to inform strategic planning and business development priorities.

• Support Head of OBU Strategy to coordinate, oversee and integrate all tumour into one portfolio strategy

• Collaborate closely with Corporate Development, Finance, and R&D to support deal negotiations and integration planning.

• Guide and direct team members at the director and associate director level

• Maintain trusted partnering, credibility and collaboration with clinical, commercial and strategy leaders

• Bachelor’s degree

• 15 years of relevant industry experience (or MBA/PhD with 10 years of relevant experience)

• Extensive experience in oncology +/- haematology

• Strong consultative and communication skills

• A strong scientific background and strategic analytical skills

• Industry or consulting experience in pharmaceutical 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

• 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

• Prior experience managing direct reports

• Able to influence…