What are the responsibilities and job description for the Executive Director, Strategy (Cell Therapy) position at AstraZeneca?
Executive Director, Strategy (Cell Therapy)
Location: Waltham, MA or Cambridge, UK
Do you have a strategic mindset, analytical rigor, and people leadership that enables you to deliver positive outcomes on high-impact and complex strategic topics? Are you looking to demonstrate those skills to help lead the team that shapes our future Biopharmaceuticals strategy and portfolio?
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company and our innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. This is the place to make an impact. Here we ensure everyone can reach their full potential, perform at their best and make a valued contribution to the enterprise.
Within Biopharmaceuticals R&D, we are empowered to be bold, take calculated risks and use our intelligence and courage to always follow the science.
Biopharmaceuticals Strategy, Business Development, and Competitive Intelligence Team
Our team is being built to sit at the center of Biopharmaceuticals R&D – driving our R&D strategy and addressing the unmet needs and future focus of AstraZeneca’s Biopharmaceuticals pipeline. We operate both internally and externally, leading collaboration and acquisition opportunities as well as partnering closely with external alliances.
Responsibilities:
In this role, you will report to SVP, Biopharmaceuticals R&D Strategy, Business Development, Competitive Intelligence and be accountable for the development and delivery of Therapeutic Area Strategy for Cell Therapy within our immunology pipeline, based on our latest priorities.
What you will do: Deliver end-to-end cell therapy Strategy, including:
- Clear understanding and prioritization of current and future unmet needs
- Cell therapy strategic vision for both near-term and long-term
- Integrated clinical strategy across all assets within the same mechanistic area
- Competitive early pipeline / long-term portfolio
- Above-asset initiatives (e.g., Translational Medicine, Precision Medicine, Data Sciences)
How you will operate:
- Develop clear strategic framework /structure to guide teams through complex strategies
- Lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop cell therapy strategy content (e.g., GPTs, Clinical Development, Discovery, BD, Lifecycle and Pipeline, Competitive Intelligence)
- Provide strategic counselling to SVP Strategy and other senior leaders
Basic Qualifications:
- BA/BS and 10 years of combined experience in life sciences or consulting firm with focus in life science programs or experience working in research, and/or with data, analysis and fact-based decision-making
- OR MS/MBA and 8 years of combined experience in life sciences or consulting firm with focus in life science programs or experience working in research, and/or with data, analysis and fact-based decision-making
- OR PhD or MD and 5 of combined experience in life sciences or consulting firm with focus in life science programs or experience working in research, and/or with data, analysis and fact-based decision-making
- Ability to interact and communicate effectively with senior executive teams.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and influence experienced professionals.
- Ability to think critically, creatively and to anticipate and solve problems.
- Ability to navigate and be successful in a fast-paced, highly-matrixed work environment
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strong analytical and communication skills
- Effective interpersonal and relationship management skills with consultative approach and ability to interact and build trust
- Operational effectiveness, highly organized process with follow through
- Strong initiative to understand our core business goals and establish processes or programs to set direction, generate alignment and push forward
- Financial background and understanding of forecasts, budgets, financial activities and tools
- Resourceful, motivated, influential and proactive; able to prioritize in a fast-growing organization
- Experience in strategic planning processes and tools
- Scientific background
- Understanding of the pharmaceutical business (including R&D)
- Experience in translating business needs into a coordinated plan from cross-functional senior leadership team
- Ability to develop creative and simple solutions to complex problems
- Knowledge and experience of competitive intelligence work in life sciences
Why AstraZeneca?
At AstraZeneca, we 're dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.
So, what’s next?
Are you ready to bring new ideas and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant! We have one seat available, and we hope it’s yours.
As AstraZeneca continues to put patients at the forefront of our mission, we are excited for our move to Kendall Square/Cambridge in 2026.
Find out more information here:
Kendall Square Press Release
