Vice President, Head of Translational Medicine and Translational Science

Vice President, Head of Translational Medicine and Translational Science

Location: Boston, MA

About Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease

At Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, we are committed to transforming the lives of people affected by rare and devastating diseases through scientific innovation and a deep focus on unmet patient need.

About the Role

We are seeking a strategic and scientifically strong leader to serve as Vice President, Head of Translational Medicine and Translational Science. This individual will lead the translational medicine and translational science function across the portfolio and serve as a member of the Development Leadership Team (DLT).

Working in close partnership with Clinical Development, this leader will ensure translational strategies, biomarker plans, and diagnostic approaches are integrated into development programs and inform key portfolio, program, and business development decisions. The role will also ensure translational medicine supports asset progression from preclinical development through clinical studies by connecting target biology, biomarker strategy, and diagnostics.

Key Responsibilities

• You will provide strategic, scientific, and operational leadership for the Translational Medicine and Translational Science organization across the portfolio. This includes oversight of translational medicine leads, translational research activities, biomarker and diagnostic capabilities, and related scientific functions that connect discovery, development, and clinical execution.

• A core part of the role is close partnership with Clinical Development to design and execute biomarker and diagnostic strategies that strengthen clinical studies and support better development decisions. Translational medicine will support clinical programs through identification and validation of translational and clinical biomarkers to predict response and assess treatment effect, patient stratification to identify populations most likely to benefit, target engagement to confirm biological activity in patients.

• The role also includes leadership of diagnostic strategies to support clinical development, including development of clinical assays, biomarkers, and companion diagnostics (CDx) where appropriate. This includes enabling tools that identify patient populations, predict therapeutic response, measure clinical outcomes, and support precision medicine approaches. Specific deliverables may include companion diagnostics.

• The role also includes leadership of translational strategies in preclinical development to help credential therapeutic targets and de-risk candidates before first-in-human studies. This includes leveraging relevant animal models to validate target engagement.

• In addition, the role will contribute to evaluation of external innovation, including business development, scientific diligence, and strategic collaborations.

• This leader will be responsible for building a connected, high-performing, and agile translational organization, including leadership of a Translational Sciences Center of Excellence, with a focus on strengthening capabilities, improving ways of working, and increasing portfolio impact.

Essential Qualifications

• M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent in a relevant scientific or medical discipline

• Significant leadership experience in translational medicine, translational science, biomarkers, diagnostics, and drug development, typically 10–15+ years

• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional and matrixed teams in a complex environment

• Deep expertise in disease biology, biomarkers, diagnostics, translational models, and translational approaches that support preclinical and clinical development

• Strong experience partnering closely with Clinical Development on biomarker strategy and diagnostic planning

• Experience connecting discovery, translational research, diagnostics, and development to support therapeutic advancement

• Experience with target credentialing, clinical assay development, and biomarker strategies in preclinical and clinical settings

• Strong communication, leadership, and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively across scientific and executive audiences

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience in rare disease

• Experience supporting companion diagnostic or IVD development

• Experience supporting business development, diligence, portfolio evaluation, or external scientific collaborations

• Experience building translational, biomarker, diagnostic, or center-of-excellence capabilities

• Experience with translational imaging, quantitative pharmacology, or advanced biomarker platforms

Leadership Profile

The ideal candidate will bring scientific depth, strategic judgment, and strong leadership presence. You will be a collaborative leader who can translate complex science into clear biomarker development strategy, build strong cross-functional partnerships, and develop high-performing teams.

Working Conditions

The duties of this role are generally conducted in an office environment. As is typical of an office-based role, employees must be able, with or without accommodation, to use a computer, communicate via phone, video, and electronic messaging, engage in analysis and problem solving, collaborate with others, and maintain general availability during standard business hours.

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.