Franchise Head – Lung

AstraZeneca; Mississauga; Hybrid; CAD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global biopharmaceutical company is seeking a key leader for their Oncology Business Unit to drive commercialization of their lung portfolio. You will manage a cross-functional team, ensure market readiness for new products, and mentor talent. Ideal candidates will have a background in life sciences with leadership experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Join us in making a difference in cancer care.

Benefits

GTAA Top Employer Award for 10 years

Top 100 Employers Award

Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture

Qualifications

• Experience in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry with accountability.
• Broad commercial experience including pre-launch and long-term planning.
• In-depth understanding of drug development and Oncology commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial activities for the lung portfolio.
• Ensure local market launch readiness for new products.
• Drive business performance against budget targets.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic mindset

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or life sciences

MBA/Ph.D. (desired)

Job description

AstraZeneca is committed to a collaborative culture that champions knowledge-sharing, ambitious thinking and innovation, providing employees with opportunities to work across teams, functions and globally.

Recognizing the importance of individualized flexibility, our ways of working allow employees to balance personal and work commitments while maintaining a strong culture of collaboration. We engage face-to-face in our offices 3 days a week. Our head office and BlueSky Hub in downtown Toronto are designed to foster collaboration for strategy, brainstorming and key project work.

Our dedication to sustainability is central to our culture, reflecting the interconnected health of people, the planet and our business. We are taking action to tackle healthcare access, disease prevention and climate change.

Introduction to role:

Reporting to the Head of Oncology, AZ Canada, this position is a key leader in the Oncology Business Unit, accountable for leading the commercialization of our lung portfolio. You are responsible for driving performance and achieving franchise-wide financial targets, including resource planning and managing the Brand P&L. You will mentor, inspire and develop the Commercial team to innovate and compete effectively in-market. You will lead a team of Marketing, Sales, and other professionals, and foster cross-functional collaboration across the therapeutic area, the Oncology Business Unit and the broader AZ Canada enterprise team. You will work in coordination with an alliance partner to optimize commercialization of an asset in the portfolio and be a role model for internal and external collaboration to create and demonstrate value and improve the cancer patient experience.

Accountabilities:

Brand Commercialization:

• Lead commercial activities, including uncovering new insights for marketing strategy/execution and field team promotion for the expanding lung portfolio that meet brand objectives and improve the patient experience
• Ensure local market launch readiness for new products and indications, focusing on launch execution and delivery, in coordination with the Medical, Diagnostic and Access teams
• Champion the evolution of omni-channel and digital strategies and execution in collaboration with cross-functional partners (Business Excellence, IT, etc.)

Tumour Area and Brand Strategy:

• Lead and deliver brand and franchise strategies based on robust insights and innovative approaches
• Assess market trends, opportunities, competition and research progress to craft near- and long-term commercial strategies
• Adapt and deliver in an ecosystem with rapid science advances, data readouts, regulatory approvals, and evolving payer models

Business Performance:

• Lead the business performance of the lung franchise against phased budget targets
• Manage the P&L for the brand’s contributions and ensure key financial and brand metrics are met
• Seek local insights to inform indication/brand forecasts as part of annual and mid-term planning cycles

Capabilities & People:

• Lead a team of Sales and Marketing leaders focused on performance and development aligned to innovative commercialization and evolving go-to-market strategies
• Mentor talent, build, inspire and retain an impactful team
• Cultivate cross-functional leadership and align with Medical, Access, Diagnostics and an alliance partner to create a principled, ambitious and collaborative business
• Engage with regional and global AZ Oncology counterparts to share insights, seek feedback and ensure alignment

Strategic Projects:

• Active member of the Canadian Oncology Leadership Team (OLT), contributing to initiatives and above-brand projects within the local market
• Understand cross-brand and tumour area dynamics that impact commercialization and collaborate with peers to explore new ways of working

Essential Skills/Experience

• Bachelors degree in business or life sciences; MBA/Ph.D. desired
• Leadership experience in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry with accountability and a track record of delivering business goals
• Broad commercial experience across pre-launch, launch, HTA validation, and long-term planning
• In-depth understanding of drug development and Oncology commercialization
• Understanding of healthcare commercialization trends and regulations
• Ability to build and lead teams to achieve goals through others
• Experience with external partners and customers including patients, prescribers, payers, providers and alliance partners
• P&L management experience and ability to build a financial narrative
• Familiarity with pharmaceutical compliance and commercialization regulations
• Entrepreneurial and strategic mindset with a performance-driven approach
• Ability to integrate diverse perspectives into meaningful strategies and programs
• Curiosity, collaboration and risk-taking as prerequisites for joint success
• Understanding of diverse healthcare ecosystems as opportunities
• Ability to relate to and support multiple healthcare and business markets
• Ability to foster an inclusive, high-integrity work environment with learning and growth opportunities
• Strong communication and presence to influence internally and externally

Summary:

Great people want to work with us. Find out why:

• GTAA Top Employer Award for 10 years
• Top 100 Employers Award
• Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture
• Learn more about working with us in Canada
• View our YouTube channel

Are you interested in working at AZ, apply today!

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion and to providing a workplace free from discrimination. AstraZeneca can accommodate persons with disabilities upon request during the recruitment process. Requests may be directed to [e-mail].

Date Posted

08-Sept-2025

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds and perspectives, with wide-ranging skills. We comply with applicable non-discrimination laws and regulations on work authorization and employment eligibility verification.