Global Medical Affairs Leader (Breast Cancer)

Role Purpose

The Global Medical Affairs Lead (GMAL) is a pivotal strategic leadership role within AstraZeneca’s Oncology Business Unit (OBU). This position sits at the heart of AstraZeneca’s ambition to deliver 61 new indication launches and transform cancer care globally. 

GMALs drive the scientific and strategic agenda that advances patient experience, closes care gaps, and promotes health equity, ultimately enabling AstraZeneca to be recognized as #1 in Oncology. 

As the accountable strategic medical leader for assigned indication(s)/asset(s), the GMAL shapes and delivers the Global Medical Strategy, acts as the critical bridge between R&D and Commercial, and leads the global medical launch readiness journey. The role balances excellence in evidence generation and confidence building, scaling AZ’s impact without increasing organizational complexity. 

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

Strategic Medical Leadership for Launch Excellence

GMAL is the owner of the Global Medical Plan and the primary driver of launch strategy. 

Strategic Direction & Planning

• Lead development, evolution, and delivery of the Global Medical Plan for assigned oncology indication(s)/asset(s). 

• Set strategic direction, prioritize initiatives, and make evidence‑based trade‑offs to maximize patient and business impact. 

• Proactively adjust the medical strategy in response to external dynamics, insights, and performance against launch KPIs. 

Performance & Analytics

• Define and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure medical strategy impact, identify progress, and diagnose blockers to launch success. 

Cross ‑ Functional Leadership

• Represent Global Medical on critical cross‑functional forums:  

• Integrated Business Team (IBT) shaping Commercial strategy 

• Global Product Team (GPT) informing R&D development, evidence requirements, and lifecycle planning 

• Lead Medical Integrated Teams (MITs) to align global, regional, and country teams around launch strategies and execution. 

• Serve as a medical decision‑maker and ambassador in market engagements, addressing insight needs, resolving misalignment, and reinforcing global priorities. 

Launch Governance & Development Influence

• Represent Global Medical in Launch Readiness Reviews and Strategic Brand Reviews, elevating Medical Affairs’ role and impact. 

• Ensure Medical input shapes:  

• Clinical development (e.g., registrational evidence gaps, companion study needs, Target Product Profiles) 

• Commercialization strategies (e.g., Tumor Strategic Plans, Business Strategy Plans) 

Team Capability & Leadership

• Strengthening global medical capabilities through effective delegation, coaching, empowerment, and mentorship. 

Evidence Generation & Dissemination for Launch Success

The GMAL ensures the availability of  transformative evidence , enabling strong scientific leadership and confident market uptake. 

Evidence Strategy & Gap Assessment

• Lead global and regional gap analyses to identify critical clinical, RWE, and mechanistic evidence needs. 

• Develop cross‑functional, integrated evidence plans spanning clinical, diagnostic, digital, and real‑world sources. 

Study Design & Operational Oversight

• Shape the scientific and strategic design of AZ‑sponsored interventional Medical Affairs studies and own relevant protocol elements. 

• Conceptualize RWE studies with O2R and ensure alignment with broader evidence strategy. 

• Oversee study governance, milestones, and resource allocation to ensure delivery to the highest scientific, ethical, and compliance standards. 

Publications & Scientific Communication

• Develop and own the Global Publications Plan from Phase 3 ID onwards in partnership with the publications team. 

• Prepare and deliver compelling scientific communications, ensuring compliance and credibility. 

• Review and approve selected local/regional medical studies and Externally Sponsored Research (ESR). 

Innovation & Future Vision

• Ensure the MARS vision is fully reflected across evidence activities—leveraging cancer networks, innovative study design, and data‑driven insights. 

Confidence Building & External Engagement

The GMAL shapes how the world understands and adopts AZ’s oncology science. 

Scientific Narrative & Confidence Strategy

• Own and lead the scientific narrative beginning 4 months prior to Phase 3 ID, ensuring scientific consistency across evidence, publications, congresses, and education. 

• Build accountability for the Integrated Confidence Plan, while CoEs deliver execution. 

Medical Education & Knowledge Transfer

• Define educational priorities and provide subject matter expertise ensuring alignment to the scientific narrative. 

• Identify priority audiences, learning objectives, and delivery formats (e.g., digital, hybrid, in‑person). 

• Ensure scientific rigor and excellence in global medical education delivered by MedEx and other partners. 

External Engagement Strategy

• Lead the external engagement strategy for the indication(s)/asset(s), including KEEs, societies, health systems, and global organizations. 

• Leverage local and global partnerships to gather actionable insights and shape scientific and clinical practice. 

• Actively influence external experts to advance health outcomes and accelerate guideline adoption. 

Congress Strategy

• Lead the congress strategy and guide operational preparation:  

• Pre‑congress (abstracts, presentations, training) 

• Post‑congress (insight synthesis, dissemination, follow‑up) 

Experience & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree required (MD, PhD, PharmD, or equivalent scientific degree). 

• Significant experience in Medical Affairs (~ 7yrs) within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, ideally at the country, Region and global level. 

• Demonstrated success in leading evidence generation strategies, Medical Plans, publications, or scientific communication programs. 

• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders across Commercial, R&D, and Medical Affairs. 

• Experience engaging external experts and scientific communities. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous global Medical Affairs leadership experience in oncology. 

• Experience leading cross‑functional teams in highly complex, multi‑indication environments. 

• Experience navigating launch environments, new MoAs, new CDx, complex biomarker landscapes, or challenging safety profiles (aligning to GMAL complexity criteria). 

Organizational Context

The GMAL is a core leadership role within the  Global Oncology Medical organization , partnering closely with: 

• Medical Head 

• Franchise Heads 

• Centers of Excellence (Evidence Generation, Sci Comms, Medical Excellence, Strategy & Operations, Training) 

• Regional and Country Medical Affairs Leads 

• Commercial organizations and IBTs 

• GPT / R&D leadership 

• External engagement (KEEs, societies, health systems, networks) 

The GMAL typically leads with accountability while delegating operational execution to specialized CoEs, ensuring strategic clarity and focus. 

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $ 206,827.20 - 310,240.80 USD . 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. Benefits offered 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 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

Closing Date

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.