Medical Affairs Leader, External Scientific Relations, Vaccines and Immune Therapies

Introduction to role

Franchise Medical & Scientific Affairs (FMSA) in the Vaccines and Immune Therapies unit (V&I) ensures the best patient outcomes by providing healthcare decision-makers around the world with the evidence and confidence they need on AstraZeneca (AZ) therapies. FMSA supports our internal stakeholders with medical insight and expertise, providing medical leadership with market participation and connectivity while impacting the life cycle planning and execution of all our products in V&I. FMSA aims to lead AZ in achieving scientific leadership, being a great place to work, and keeping patients at the core of everything we do.

Accountabilities

Reporting directly to the Head of External Scientific Relations (HESR) for V&I, the Medical Affairs Leader for External Scientific Relations (MAL ESR) will help deliver a comprehensive external scientific engagement strategy for AstraZeneca (AZ) across all external stakeholders in the infectious diseases space. This includes managing AZ V&I engagement with Key External Experts (KEEs), medical society partnerships, sponsored research networks, representing AstraZeneca at key industrial consortia, managing new strategic advocacy initiatives to support the growing use of the AstraZeneca V&I portfolio, and input into all V&I related congress activities such as ESCMID, ESWI, ESPID, and IDWEEK.

In this role, the MAL ESR will develop key working relationships with GMAL colleagues, V&I Strategy functions, Development functions, and Medical Affairs Leadership globally and regionally in the V&I therapies area.

What you'll do:
• Input to and deliver TA V&I external engagement strategy with regard to:
  o KEEs and Emerging Leaders: delivering a comprehensive engagement strategy for our vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and platforms; ensuring alignment across all relevant functions in V&I; drive and track systematic, strategic, world-class engagement with leading experts
  o Design and deliver strategic advocacy initiatives globally, including ensuring alignment with local activities and Global strategy
  o Responsibility for day-to-day involvement with selected Infectious Diseases Medical societies and research networks
  o Input into the strategy, scientific agenda, and execution of V&I activities for Infectious diseases related congresses (ESWI, ESCMID, ID Week, ESPID)
• Enhance the reputation of AZ and communicate therapeutic area medical strategy
• Identify and run new Academic/Clinical collaborations
• Participate actively in AZ Global Advisory Boards
• Train and develop organizational competencies in the therapeutic area
  o Support Medical Education initiatives including congress symposia and standalone scientific events
  o Provide content and direction for training through Medical Academy in relation to External Engagement activities
  o Provide ongoing updates to relevant stakeholders on developments in the disease area
• Drive AZ leadership through active collaborative relationships with external organizations and professional bodies
  o Represent AZ at selected key congresses and professional meetings
• Manage specific scientific projects as directed by HESR

Internal Contacts/Customers:
• Head of External Scientific Relations
• Therapeutic Area Medical Affairs Leaders (by product)
• V&I Global Commercial Directors and Heads (by product)
• V&I Global Market Access and Pricing Directors (by Product)
• Global Medicines Leaders (by product)
• Marketing Company Medical TA leads
• Global Product Leaders
• VP, FMSA

External Contacts/Customers:
• TA medical and scientific societies
• Collaborative/co-operative and government-sponsored clinical research groups
• Patient advocacy groups
• Key Scientific Experts (KSE) in the respective TA
• Access bodies
• Medical education groups
• Medical journal editors

Essential Skills/Experience:
· Substantial expertise in the relevant TA required 
· Highly desired: TA specialist qualification
· Large experience of developing strong working relationships with key external leaders in Infectious diseases and/or vaccine-related medicine, including KEEs and professional societies at either International or regional/MC level
· Demonstrated success in executing strategic plans highly desired
· Experience leading project teams with a track record of delivering results
· Experience in medical affairs, product and portfolio strategy, working with clinical development, life cycle management highly desired
· Experience operating in complex matrix environments desired
· Strong strategic and scientific presentation skills
· Demonstrated track record in implementing and driving core and new initiatives

Desirable Skills/Experience:
· Proven ability to collaborate with internal and external colleagues in various geographies, cultures, roles, and hierarchic levels
· Proven ability to mobilize project teams to execute on strategy
· Strong decision-making skills
· Proven ability to quickly understand the dynamics of the environment they are working in and adapt plans and responses accordingly 
· Experience presenting to leadership with persuasive oral and written communication skills, including the ability to develop and deliver executive presentations
· Ability to manage overall business and medical priorities effectively and efficiently 
· 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 into key messages and actions
· Integrity and high ethical standards

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. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're 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 team players invest in groundbreaking collaborations, local partnerships, and commercial initiatives. Every decision is centered around serving people better. We harness science and technology to shape care for the future, impacting populations worldwide. Join us to discover new horizons, broaden your skillset, and grow in unexpected ways.

Ready to make a meaningful impact? Apply now!