Senior Director, External Scientific Relations

Company: AstraZeneca
Location: Montgomery Village
Posted on: July 1, 2025

Job Description:

At AstraZeneca, we work together across global boundaries to make an impact and find answers to challenges. We do this with the utmost integrity even in the most difficult situations because we are committed to doing the right thing. We continuously forge partnerships that help pursue world-class medicines in new ways, combining our peoples exceptional skills with those of people from all over the globe. Our Medical Affairs function ensures the best patient outcomes by providing healthcare decision-makers around the world with the evidence and confidence they need on AstraZeneca (AZ) therapies and supports our internal partners with medical insight and expertise. Reporting directly to the VP Franchise Medical and Scientific Affairs of Vaccines and Immune Therapies, the Head of External Scientific Relations will deliver an external scientific engagement strategy for AstraZeneca across the Vaccines and Immune Therapies (V&I) portfolio. This will include leading and managing AZ Infectious Diseases engagement with Key External Experts, medical society partnerships, and sponsored research networks. You will also represent AstraZeneca at key industrial consortia, lead strategic advocacy initiatives, and define and lead the strategy for AZ’s Global Infectious Diseases Leadership Forum and all V&I congress activities. Accountabilities Advances reputation of AstraZeneca and the V&I Franchise Medical and Scientific Affairs (FMSA) organization: Build, lead, and manage V&I FMSA external engagement strategy in partnership with the Medical Leads and GPLs for the asset/disease area. Drive strategic advocacy initiatives globally, including ensuring local & regional activities are aligned to Global strategy. Define AZ’s involvement with all relevant Medical & Scientific societies, research networks, including NITAGs (National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups), and ensure their timely awareness of data related to our products and its positioning. Enhance evidence generation plans based on feedback and anticipated needs identified from recommending bodies and scientific societies. Represent AZ in strategically relevant industrial consortia partnerships/collaborations. Co-ordinate FMSA activities with regional Medical Affairs congresses and internal events. Improve the reputation of AZ, communicate therapeutic area medical strategy. Initiate and drive new Academic/Clinical collaborations. Actively engage in AZ V&I Global Advisory Boards to help shape V&I vision and strategy. Support and develop Medical Education initiatives including congress symposia and standalone scientific events. Responsible for External Scientific Engagement direct report(s). Supports therapeutic area in development of External Medical Relations: Drives AZ leadership through collaborative relationships with external organizations and professional bodies. Representation at key congresses and professional meetings. Manage scientific projects agreed by the V&I FMSA Leadership team. Pro-active member of V&I Medical FMSA leadership team and leads the External Scientific Engagement team. Essential Skills/Experience Significant experience and expertise in the relevant Therapy Area required (Infectious Diseases; Immunology; Vaccinology; Microbiology) Strong working relationships with Global leaders in Vaccines and Immune Therapies. Experience leading project teams with a track record of delivering results. Strong demonstration of strategic and scientific presentations at therapeutic area meetings. Demonstrated track record in completing scientific engagement plans, delivering new initiatives, capabilities, and leading large-scale impactful medical initiatives desired. Desirable Skills/Experience MD or PhD with clinical expertise in the relevant Therapy Area (Infectious Diseases, Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Immunology). Demonstrated success in building and implementing strategic roadmaps. Experience in medical/scientific affairs, product, and portfolio strategy, working with clinical development, life cycle management, business development, and/or early assets. Experience leading and managing in a global, matrix environment. Strong executive presence and ability to work collaboratively with global executive teams and leadership. Significant experience of presenting to senior leadership; persuasive oral and written communication skills, including the ability to develop and deliver executive presentations. The annual base pay for this position ranges from $215,838.40 - 323,757.60. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. 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 (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included 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. Why Astrazeneca? 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. Thats why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesnt mean were not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world. At AstraZeneca, we are changemakers on the world stage at an exciting frontier of medicine. We are committed to transforming healthcare by building pandemic preparedness to protect against future health crises. Our dynamic community thrives on diversity, reflecting the populations we serve. We invest in groundbreaking collaborations that lead to essential breakthroughs. Every action we take is centered around enhancing lives through innovative science and technology. Join us to be part of a global team that inspires fresh thinking and drives meaningful change. Ready to make a difference? Apply now! AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

Keywords: AstraZeneca, Bethesda , Senior Director, External Scientific Relations, Science, Research & Development , Montgomery Village, Maryland