Executive Director, Head of Precision Medicine Breast Cancer OR GU/GYN

The Executive Director, Head of Precision Medicine Breast Cancer or GU/GYN is accountable for driving and shaping the global Precision Medicine and Diagnostics Development Strategy for the tumour area. This includes guiding Precision Medicine and Companion Diagnostics plans, ensuring their alignment with the overall tumour strategy, and representing the Precision Medicine and Biosamples (PMB) function on the Tumour Council or strategy team.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing strategic direction for Precision Medicine approaches and diagnostic development to the Tumour Councils and Therapeutic Area Leadership Team (TALT) and being the most senior point of reference for the PMB function in the tumour area to governance, including the Senior Executive Team.
• Ensuring the adoption of precision medicine strategies within Oncology R&D and the Oncology Business Unit to meet the needs of patients, physicians, health authorities, and payers.
• Leading and guiding Diagnostic Subteams (DSTs) to deliver agreed companion diagnostic and precision medicine strategies for the portfolio assets within the tumour area.
• Optimising value for the business and derisking Precision Medicine strategies through influencing across the tumour area and by smart risk taking.
• Supporting DSTs to select novel diagnostic partnerships and Precision Medicine solutions for future CDx strategies and delivery.

The Executive Director will work collaboratively with internal and external partners, manage strategic investments, and shape the external environment to facilitate diagnostic development. The role requires effective global leadership, performance management, and talent management skills. Overall, the Executive Director will play a crucial role in advancing Precision Medicine strategies and ensuring the successful delivery of diagnostic plans within the tumour area and connect with peers to shape holistic plans across all the tumour areas within AstraZeneca’s portfolio.

The Head of the Precision Medicine works collaboratively and efficiently with colleagues at all levels within the home function, across AstraZeneca and with external partners. As a senior leader of PMB, the role holder is accountable for ensuring that the roles and responsibilities of the function are delivered demonstrating behaviours and values aligned to AstraZeneca Code of Conduct and supporting policies, standards and procedures; including accountability for compliant management of Budget, Safety, Health and Environment.

The role holder will achieve this by drawing on proven, world-class expertise and experience in Precision Medicine, Companion Diagnostic development, Drug development and Companion Diagnostics regulatory approval processes across major global markets. The role holder ensures the adoption and implementation of optimised precision medicine approaches within the relevant R&D Unit/drug development areas, by closely working with relevant stakeholders across Oncology R&D and the Oncology Business Unit and by providing leadership for GPT-endorsed Diagnostic Subteams and PMB Dx Study Leads to deliver and implement an optimised and agreed diagnostic strategy for each of the drug development programs.

Qualifications include a PhD or equivalent experience, substantial scientific and business experience in Precision Medicine and diagnostic development, and proven strategic capability.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing strategic direction for precision medicine approaches and diagnostic development to the Tumour Councils and Therapeutic Area leadership team (TALT).
• Ensuring the adoption of precision medicine strategies within Oncology R&D and the Oncology Business Unit to meet the needs of patients, physicians, health authorities, and payers.
• Leading Diagnostic Subteams to deliver agreed companion diagnostic and precision medicine strategies for the portfolio assets within the tumour area.
• Accountable for contributing to the recruitment, retention, compliance and leadership of all members of direct/indirect teams managed.

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.