US Executive Director, Early Assets

Accountabilities This role is accountable for the overall success of each Early Asset at the US level. It integrates clinical, access, and analytics strategies, owns the US position in MC3 and other tollgates, ensures market readiness, optimizes enrollment of US patients in clinical trials and drives coherent decisions and deliverables that maximize the value and patient access of the Early Assets portfolio. What You'll Do Define and pressure-test US-relevant target product profiles, patient segments, positioning hypotheses, and differentiation strategies; ensure US needs are reflected in global asset plans and decision gates. Lead integrated US insight generation (secondary research, qualitative/quantitative market research, advisory boards, rapid experiments) to inform clinical endpoints, device/format choices, and patient/physician usability needs. Shape early US payer value propositions, evidence requirements, and economic models; co-develop the early access and pricing roadmap with Market Access and HEOR to derisk future reimbursement. Drive aligned recommendations into governance (e.g., TPP approvals, go/no-go, indication prioritization, lifecycle planning). Establish and maintain a dynamic competitive landscape assessment; identify opportunities for acceleration, differentiation, indication sequencing, and combination strategies. Build and refine early forecasts and scenarios (epidemiology, market adoption curves, competitive events, policy shifts); guide sensitivity analyses for stage-gate decision making. Define early brand identity and messaging hypotheses, core claims framework, and scientific narrative; prepare foundational resources to enable rapid and flawless transition to late-stage/launch teams, input into initial field sizing assessment. Provide commercial diligence and market models for in-licensing, partnerships, and acquisitions; support alliance governance and joint working teams for partnered assets. Ensure all activities align with US regulations and company policies, including pre-approval communication standards and interactions with external stakeholders. Assess policy landscape and implications for design and launch. Minimum Qualifications Sophisticated Scientific Degree (MBBS, PharmD, PhD, or MD) or international equivalent. A minimum of 10 years in pharmaceutical, healthcare or biotech industries. A minimum of 3 years in early commercial, new product planning, or pipeline marketing; US market experience required. Strong scientific and business acumen. Demonstrated experience in the innovative pharmaceutical industry with a strong track record in Market Access. Ability to understand, assimilate, and communicate scientific information and Health Economic Outcomes data. Demonstrated success shaping early-stage assets (Phase 1–2) and influencing clinical design and evidence strategy to meet future US access and adoption needs. Proven ability to lead without authority across Clinical, Medical, HEOR, Market Access, and Finance. Clear, compelling communicator able to craft narratives for governance, KOLs, and internal stakeholders. Comfortable engaging with clinical data, endpoints, and mechanisms of action. Demonstrated ability to build trust and alignment across global and US stakeholders. Preferred Qualifications Therapeutic area expertise in respiratory/immunology and CVRM strongly preferred (obesity/weight management experience highly preferred). Proficiency with market research design, forecasting, epidemiology inputs, and competitive intelligence frameworks. Ability to identify innovative strategies with the greatest business impact and empower their teams to implement the plan. Strong curiosity, growth mindset and high learning agility. Comfort with NPV, risk-adjusted forecasting, scenarios, and sensitivity testing for investment cases. Availability for occasional travel. Location: Wilmington, DE. The role requires a minimum of three days per week in the office with flexible arrangements for remote work. The annual base pay for this position ranges from $331,874 to $497,810 for hourly and salaried employees. In addition, the position offers a short-term incentive bonus opportunity, eligibility to participate in an equity-based long-term incentive program (for salaried roles), retirement contributions (for hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (for sales roles). Benefits include 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 of the applicable plans. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr AstraZeneca GmbH