Full-Time

Global Medical Affairs Director

Vaccines, Infectious Diseases

Updated on 9/10/2026

Deadline 10/30/26
AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca

10,001+ employees

Global pharmaceutical company developing prescription medicines

Compensation Overview

$243.6k - $365.4k/yr

+ Short-term incentive bonus + Equity-based long-term incentive program

Gaithersburg, MD, USA + 1 more

More locations: Spain

Hybrid

Minimum three days per week in the office.

PharmD, PhD, MD

Category
Biology & Biotech
Required Skills
Biostatistics

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Requirements
  • Doctorate level (MD, PhD or PharmD).
  • Strong expertise in Infectious Diseases; experience in persistent viral infections and serious bacterial infections is a plus.
  • Experience in global Medical Affairs or a similar function and working cross-functionally across a large product team.
  • Strong technical knowledge.
  • Demonstrated strategic and medical leadership at therapeutic-area and/or senior-leader meetings.
  • Strong working relationships with global leaders in vaccinology, respiratory medicine, and infectious diseases, including key external experts, professional societies, and pharmaceutical companies.
  • Ability to flex between high-level strategy and detailed tactics as required.
  • Strong analytical mindset and ability to quickly assess large amounts of information and distill them into key messages and actions.
  • Integrity and high ethical standards.
Responsibilities
  • Design and manage implementation of the Medical BioPharmaceuticals product strategy globally and regionally.
  • Create and develop the strategic direction, business and resource planning, and team leadership for the product globally in collaboration with the Global Medical Head.
  • Lead the Global Medical Team to communicate and execute global strategy at regional and country levels, accommodate regional and country needs in global deliverables, and bring customer insights and market needs from all countries into the Global Product Team for review.
  • Provide cross-functional leadership and collaboration across Medical BioPharmaceuticals functions and the Global Product Team, including commercial, research and development, regulatory, and biostatistics functions.
  • Follow medical developments within the therapeutic area and disseminate new information to transform clinical trends and emerging data into new plans.
  • Deliver a medical plan that drives successful launches of innovative and differentiated new medicines within the therapeutic area.
  • Support the team leader at the therapeutic-area Global Product Team and Global Brand Team.
  • Engage and cultivate relationships with leading global key external experts to gain participation in advisory boards, understanding of the therapeutic area, and insights into unmet patient needs.
  • Represent AstraZeneca at scientific and medical forums, including medical education forums, scientific roundtables, congresses, and symposia.
  • Coordinate Medical Affairs activities, including Science Advisory Boards.
  • Ensure alignment of publication and medical evidence plans with the Medical Strategy and Medical Plan.
  • Develop and keep the brand Integrated Evidence Plan up to date.
  • Lead the initial development and ensure the accuracy of medical promotional materials and communications before submission to Global Medical Quality Assurance for final approval.
Desired Qualifications
  • Board certified or equivalent in immunology, infectious diseases, or a related area, with vaccines expertise.
  • Experience launching new vaccine or anti-infective products.

AstraZeneca develops and markets prescription medicines and vaccines for global health, focusing on oncology, cardiovascular/metabolic, respiratory, and infectious diseases. Its products work by targeting specific biological pathways or cells to treat diseases or prevent infections, using small-molecule drugs, biologics, and vaccines. The company differentiates itself through its dual heritage from Sweden and the UK, a broad pipeline, and strong R&D with collaborations to move from discovery to patient access across multiple therapeutic areas. Its goal is to improve people’s health by discovering, developing, and delivering medicines and vaccines worldwide.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Cambridge, United Kingdom

Founded

1913

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • EU approved Enhertu plus pertuzumab on September 1, 2026, unlocking another breast-cancer line.
  • Amgen and AstraZeneca’s DeLLphi-305 met overall-survival goals for Imdelltra plus Imfinzi.
  • AstraZeneca committed £300 million in April 2026 to Cambridge and Macclesfield expansion.

What critics are saying

  • Reuters on August 17, 2026 said AstraZeneca ended volrustomig’s lung-cancer trial after futility.
  • China indicted Leon Wang and AstraZeneca’s local unit in February 2026; trial risk persists.
  • Forxiga faces patent losses in Poland, Portugal, Australia, and 2027 generic-launch pressure.

What makes AstraZeneca unique

  • AstraZeneca’s 2026 cancer franchise spans Imfinzi, Tagrisso, Enhertu, and Datroway globally.
  • Its UK-Sweden operating base supports Cambridge and Macclesfield R&D plus manufacturing.
  • Daiichi Sankyo and Amgen partnerships broaden AstraZeneca’s reach without full internal capital burden.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

Flexible Work Hours

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

2%

1 year growth

2%

2 year growth

4%
Yahoo Finance
Sep 11th, 2026
Cramer avoids AstraZeneca as trial failures and regulatory pressures overshadow $15.4B revenue

Jim Cramer stated on Mad Money that he is not investing in AstraZeneca, comparing it to Novartis and expressing concerns about missed clinical trials. He believes the company's COPD programme is insufficient to change his view. AstraZeneca reported second-quarter revenue of $15.38 billion, up 6.4% year-on-year, with adjusted earnings per share of $2.63 beating estimates. Growth was driven by oncology and rare disease treatments, offsetting generic competition. However, the company faces significant challenges. The drug anselamimab failed its primary endpoint in a Phase III trial, whilst datopotamab deruxtecan delivered mixed results in lung cancer studies. AstraZeneca's blockbuster drug Farxiga will face a 68% Medicare price reduction from 2026 under the Inflation Reduction Act. The company also contends with regulatory investigations in China involving senior executives.

Yahoo Finance
Sep 11th, 2026
Amgen and AstraZeneca lung cancer drug combo meets survival goal in phase III study

Amgen and AstraZeneca announced positive results from the phase III DeLLphi-305 study evaluating Amgen's Imdelltra (tarlatamab) combined with AstraZeneca's Imfinzi (durvalumab) as first-line maintenance treatment for extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). The study met its primary endpoint of overall survival and key secondary endpoint of progression-free survival, with no new safety concerns identified. ES-SCLC affects approximately 195,000 people globally. If approved, the combination would compete with Jazz Pharmaceuticals' Zepzelca plus Roche's Tecentriq, which received FDA approval in October 2025. Imdelltra, approved in 2024 for ES-SCLC progression after platinum-based chemotherapy, generated $546 million in global sales during the first half of 2026, up from $215 million in the prior-year period.

The Telegraph
Sep 9th, 2026
AstraZeneca buys biotech company for £120m

Drug giant AstraZeneca has agreed to buy KuDOS Pharmaceuticals, a UK biotech company, for $210mn (£120m).

Yahoo Finance
Sep 8th, 2026
AstraZeneca shares slip 0.7% despite Imfinzi trial success in lung cancer treatment

AstraZeneca shares declined approximately 0.7% to $161.51 despite positive late-stage trial results for Imfinzi in treating extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer. The 563-patient DeLLphi-305 trial met its primary overall-survival goal when Imfinzi was combined with Amgen's Imdelltra, also improving progression-free survival and response rates with no new safety concerns. However, the companies have not released numerical survival data, leaving investors unable to assess the treatment's competitive strength. Imfinzi generated $6.06 billion in 2025, whilst oncology represented approximately 46% of AstraZeneca's $30.7 billion first-half 2026 revenue. The shares now trade 10.72% below their $180.91 valuation estimate. AstraZeneca must share economics with Amgen and demonstrate that the treatment's added complexity can convert into meaningful sales growth.

Executive Bulletin
Sep 7th, 2026
First Oncology Summit in Lebanon hosted by AstraZeneca brings together regional experts to advance the Future of Cancer Care.

First Oncology Summit in Lebanon hosted by AstraZeneca brings together regional experts to advance the Future of Cancer Care. September 7, 2026 Beirut, 7 September 2026: The first Oncology Summit hosted by AstraZeneca in Lebanon under the theme "Leading the Future in Cancer Care" brought together leading oncology experts from Lebanon and Libya, alongside international faculty members, for two days of scientific exchange and collaboration focused on advancing cancer care and improving patient outcomes. The summit featured discussions on evolving standards of care, emerging scientific advances, and multidisciplinary approaches across lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. "Scientific meetings such as this are essential to advancing oncology practice," said Dr. Arafat Tfayli, President of the Committee Responsible for Implementing Lebanon's National Cancer Control Plan. "They allow healthcare professionals to exchange experiences, discuss the latest evidence, and learn from regional and international experts. By strengthening collaboration and sharing knowledge, we can continue to elevate the quality of care available to patients across our region." "The challenges we face in cancer care are shared across many countries, and so too are the opportunities for progress," said Dr. Abdelmnam Elbarathi, Director of Tripoli Cancer Center, speaking on behalf of the Lybian delegation. "Bringing together experts from Libya and Lebanon creates meaningful opportunities for collaboration, learning, and professional exchange that can ultimately contribute to better care for patients. We look forward to strengthening these connections and continuing to work together to advance oncology practice throughout the region." The landmark event underscored AstraZeneca's commitment to supporting the oncology community through innovation, science, and partnerships, while reinforcing Lebanon's role as a regional platform for medical excellence and scientific dialogue. "Lebanon has long been recognized for its medical expertise, and we are proud to contribute to its role as a hub for scientific leadership and innovation," said Agnar Aboujaoude, Country Director, AstraZeneca Lebanon, who emphasized the power of collaboration in shaping the future of oncology care. "We are proud to bring together distinguished oncology experts from Lebanon, Libya, and the international scientific community around a shared purpose: improving the lives of patients with cancer. By fostering scientific exchange and regional collaboration, we can help accelerate the adoption of best practices, strengthen healthcare ecosystems, and ultimately bring new hope to patients and their families." The summit provided a platform for healthcare professionals to exchange knowledge, review emerging evidence, discuss real-world clinical experiences, and explore innovative approaches that are helping redefine cancer care worldwide. Throughout the discussions, participants examined the evolving oncology landscape and the opportunities to improve outcomes through earlier diagnosis, precision medicine, multidisciplinary care, and continued scientific advancement. "At AstraZeneca, our ambition is to eliminate cancer as a cause of death," said Mark Farid, Oncology Commercial Director for Near East & Maghreb at AstraZeneca, highlighting the company's long-term commitment to transforming cancer care through scientific innovation. "We continue to invest in one of the industry's broadest oncology portfolios and pipelines, advancing innovative science across multiple tumour types and treatment modalities. Through collaboration with healthcare professionals, researchers, and healthcare systems, we are working to transform outcomes and bring patients closer to a future where cancer can be detected earlier, treated more effectively, and, ultimately, cured." About AstraZeneca: AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca's innovative medicines are sold in more than 125 countries and used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on social media @AstraZeneca.