Vice President Investment Decisions Rare Disease

Vice President, Investment Decisions, Rare Disease
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Reports To: CEO, Alexion and Chief Strategy Officer, AstraZeneca

At Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, we are driven by a bold ambition to transform the lives of people living with rare and devastating diseases. We combine deep scientific expertise, a passion for innovation, and a commitment to patients to bring forward meaningful advances in areas of high unmet need.
We are seeking a VP of Investment Decisions, Rare Disease to play a central leadership role in shaping strategic investment and portfolio decisions across the business. This is a highly influential role, based in Ireland, with responsibility for supporting business objectives, strengthening governance, and maximising the value of the Rare Disease portfolio and intellectual property.

About the Role
The VP, Investment Decisions, Rare Disease is a senior corporate strategy leader responsible for driving quality, discipline, and rigour across investment decision-making processes. Reporting to the CEO, Alexion, this role advises the CEO and the Alexion Leadership Team (ALT) on portfolio strategy, investment prioritisation, financial and business planning, and long-term value creation.
The postholder will serve as a member of key governance bodies, including the Early-Stage Product Committee (ESPC) and Late-Stage Product Committee (LSPC), and will contribute to Irish entity governance through involvement with the Alexion Pharmaceuticals International Operations (APIO) and AstraZeneca Ireland Limited (AZIL) Boards, as applicable.

This role requires sound judgement, strategic insight, and the ability to work across scientific, operational, and financial dimensions to support complex and high-value decisions that shape the future of the Rare Disease portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Support Rare Disease therapeutic area strategy in partnership with the VP R&D and senior Alexion leaders.

•  Lead investment governance and business case quality across key decision-making forums, including ESPC, LSPC, rDRC, and FRC.

• Develop and maintain decision-support frameworks for the CEO and ALT, ensuring business cases are robust, assumptions are challenged, and scenarios are appropriately stress-tested.

• Advise on long-term strategy, portfolio investment sizing, and business development or partnership opportunities, translating strategic priorities into clear financial and planning frameworks.

• Support Irish entity governance for APIO and AZIL, including Board engagement, compliance with Irish legal and regulatory obligations, and alignment with governance and reporting requirements.

•  Manage key government and fiscal relationships in Ireland, including external agencies and strategic partners, as relevant to the role.

•  Contribute to strategic investment, prioritisation, acceleration, reprioritisation, and termination decisions across the Rare Disease portfolio.

• Continuously assess opportunities to enhance the value of existing assets and intellectual property, including recommendations in emerging or strategically important areas.

• Act as a senior escalation point for Rare Disease R&D risks and issues, determining the appropriate course of action and raising matters to the CEO as needed.

• Represent the organisation’s values and leadership expectations in all aspects of the role.

Optional Responsibilities
Depending on the background and expertise of the successful candidate, the role may also include leadership in one or more of the following areas:

• AI and Data Innovation, to enhance speed, efficiency, and decision-making across the business and portfolio

• Translational Medicine, to improve success rates, strengthen development decisions, and increase portfolio value

Essential Requirements

• Advanced degree in Business, Life Sciences, or a related discipline; MD, PhD, MBA, or equivalent strongly preferred

• Over 15 years of experience

• Significant strategic leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical or life sciences sector, including VP-level or equivalent responsibility

• Deep expertise in portfolio investment analysis and business case development across R&D and/or commercial programs

• Strong track record of advising senior executive and C-suite leaders on strategic investment decisions in a complex, matrixed environment

•  Experience in drug discovery and development and in shaping decisions that maximise portfolio and intellectual property value

• Strong understanding of corporate governance, Board reporting, and strategic planning

• Excellent analytical, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into clear and actionable recommendations

• Ability to work effectively across multiple functions, senior stakeholders, and governance forums

• Enterprise leadership capability, with a collaborative style and the ability to challenge constructively

•  Demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, and values-based leadership

• Based in Ireland or willing to relocate to Dublin

Why Join Us
This is an opportunity to shape critical investment decisions in a purpose-driven organisation committed to advancing innovation for patients with rare diseases. You will work at the heart of strategic decision-making, partnering with senior leaders and contributing directly to the future direction and value of the Rare Disease portfolio. At Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, you will join a collaborative environment where scientific excellence, strategic thinking, and patient focus come together to make a meaningful difference.
 

Date Posted

07-Jul-2026

Closing Date

06-Jul-2026Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.