Head of Early Commercial & Innovation, Hematology

At AstraZeneca, our ambition is to transform outcomes for patients with hematologic malignancies and related hematology conditions. We aim to reset standards of care by advancing innovative therapies across a broad pipeline inclusive of assets, including bispecific T-cell engagers (TCEs), antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and other emerging modalities.Reporting into the VP, Global Head, Hematology Franchise & Cell Therapy and sitting on the Leadership Team, as Head of Early Commercial & Innovation, Hematology, you will operate at the commercial–R&D interface to shape our early hematology pipeline from preclinical through early clinical development—ensuring clear line-of-sight to patient impact and long-term commercial value across modalities and disease segments.You will partner closely with Oncology R&D, Global Product Teams, Business Development, Medical, Market Access/Pricing, Finance, and priority markets to build winning target product profiles, inform clinical plans, and define early go-to-market strategies that scale across indications. This role is highly visible within the OBU and requires a strong matrix leader who can influence without authority and translate scientific innovation into compelling commercial and development strategies. You will be accountable for understanding industry innovations and trends across hematology and translating those insights into strategy.Key duties and responsibilitiesCommercial strategy for early assets: Lead the early commercial strategy across hematology modalities (TCEs, ADCs, small molecules, and other emerging platforms), integrating disease biology, competitive dynamics, and customer insights to shape target product profiles, positioning, and differentiation.R&D partnership and development planning: Provide strategic input to discovery and early development teams on indication prioritization, study design, endpoints, inclusion/exclusion criteria, and line-of-therapy to optimize clinical and regulatory line-of-sight.Insights and analytics: Guide and collaborate with insights/analytics to integrate hematologist/center-of-excellence, patient/caregiver, payer, and provider insights and competitive intelligence; partner closely to inform value stories, price/reimbursement scenarios, and risk/opportunity assessments that support commercial decision-making.Evidence and access strategy: Partner with Market Access & Pricing on early access strategies, affordability models, and system readiness. Shape early evidence needs (clinical, RWE, PROs, HEOR) and payer value narratives tailored to hematology.Collaborate with lifecycle team: Shape lifecycle options, next-wave indications, and inform investment cases for internal programs and external opportunities in collaboration with Search & Evaluation and BD.Cross-BU collaboration and governance: Represent the hematology commercial and clinical view in cross-functional forums and governance (e.g., therapy area leadership, early-stage portfolio committees), ensuring alignment to OBU strategy and enterprise priorities.Market readiness and launch pathways: Coordinate with priority markets (notably US) to pressure-test assumptions to enable scalable launch pathways for transitions to late development.Financials and planning: Lead Forecasting, Long-Term Planning (LTP), scenario planning, and budget needs for early assets; provide sensitivity analyses for clinical and market uncertainties.External engagement: Build and maintain networks with key clinical experts, industry leaders, patient advocacy, payers, and hematology centers to bring the external voice into strategy and development.Skills and capabilitiesCommercial excellence: Demonstrated success shaping and executing commercial and development strategies for hematology assets (e.g., TCEs, ADCs, small molecules).Strategic thinking and financial acumen: Ability to synthesize science, clinical evidence, market signals, and economics into clear strategic choices and robust business cases.Matrix leadership: Proven ability to influence across R&D, Medical, Access, and Markets; skilled at alignment-building and decision-making in ambiguous, high-velocity settings.Science and clinical acumen: Strong grasp of hematology disease biology and clinical development; able to challenge and partner with R&D on endpoints, comparators, biomarker strategies for various modalities.Problem solving and execution: Structured, data-driven approach with a track record of translating ideas into action and delivering results through others.Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication; compelling storyteller who can distill complexity for senior stakeholders and governance bodies.Requirements / qualificationsEducationAdvanced degree (MBA, MSc, PhD or MD) is required.Required ExperienceIndustry experience in biopharma, including significant time at the commercial–R&D interface and in early asset strategy or early commercial roles within hematology.10+ years in biopharma with experience across hematology; direct exposure to modalities such as TCEs, ADCs, and small molecules.Demonstrated experience shaping product profiles and early clinical plans amid evolving datasets; familiarity with CMC, manufacturing, and supply/logistics considerations relevant to hematology biologics and small molecules.Broad commercial experience including pre-launch strategy, forecasting, market research, pricing & reimbursement, competitive intelligence, and early go-to-market design.Evidence of building investment cases and collaborating with BD/Search & Evaluation on external opportunities.Experience engaging external stakeholders: clinical experts, centers of excellence, payers, patient advocacy, and provider systems.Other qualificationsSuccessful people leadership or significant matrix leadership experience.Comfortable operating in ambiguity and establishing scalable models for emerging hematology modalities.Why AstraZenecaThis position is based at our Gaithersburg, MD campus (US Headquarters for Global Oncology Business Unit). 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 bold world.AstraZeneca offers an environment where you can thrive by working with new drugs, digital approaches, and ever-changing environments. Our pioneering value-based agreements and Innovative Value Strategy solutions lead the way in the industry. We are driven by our determination to ensure the value of our medicines is realized. Our dynamic environment encourages creativity in designing strategies and innovative access solutions. We thrive on co-creation and draw on diverse perspectives to overcome challenges. Join us to be part of a team that is passionate about making a meaningful impact on patient outcomes.Ready to make a difference? Apply now to join our team!The annual base pay for this position ranges from $267,913 - 401,870 USD. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.Date Posted05-Aug-2026Closing Date13-Aug-2026Our 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.SummaryLocation: US - Gaithersburg - MDType: Full time