Global Insights & Forecasting Director - Early Assets & Business Development, R&I

AstraZeneca; Barcelona; Hybrid; EUR 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca is seeking a Director, Global Early Asset & Business Development to lead early forecasting and investment case support across pre-clinical to Phase 3 readiness. You will partner with Finance, Market Access, Medical, and Business Development to translate signals into strategy and action, shaping a high-impact R&I portfolio.

The role requires strong scientific and business acumen, 6+ years in forecasting or early-stage pipeline strategy, and a track record of influencing senior

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred (MBA, MS, or PhD in a relevant quantitative, scientific, or life‑sciences discipline)
• 6+ years of relevant experience in pharma, biotech, or consulting, focused on forecasting, early‑stage pipeline strategy, or commercial market insights; experience supporting business development a plus
• Strong scientific and business acumen
• Scientific agility to delve into new indications, modalities, and biological targets
• Comfort with NPV, risk‑adjusted forecasting, scenarios, and sensitivity testing for investment cases
• Strong understanding of key commercial drivers, market access dynamics, pricing, reimbursement, and policy factors, particularly in the US and major global markets
• Clear, concise communicator who turns complex data into actionable recommendations for senior stakeholders and governance
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and alignment across global and US stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Lead early forecasting and scenario planning across epidemiology, market adoption, and policy shifts
• Develop patient-based forecast models and benchmark external analogs to inform investment cases
• Support investment decisions for in-licensing, partnerships, and acquisitions with clear recommendations
• Prepare governance narratives and executive updates for portfolio prioritization and decision reviews
• Advise senior leaders on forecast drivers, model changes, and implications for pipeline strategy
• Contribute to Disease Strategy Team with insights on unmet need and market evolution
• Oversee vendor-led market research to inform investment decisions and strategy
• Identify AI/automation opportunities to improve speed and explainability of insights

Skills

Scientific acumen

Business acumen

Strong communication

Leadership

Forecasting

Stakeholder management

Education

MBA / MS / PhD in quantitative or life-sciences

Bachelor's degree required

Job description

Introduction to role:

Are you ready to turn early science into confident business decisions that shape the future of respiratory and immunology? Can you translate complex data into clear choices that accelerate investment and impact for patients? As Director, Global Early Asset & Business Development within our Insights, Analytics & Forecasting team, you will guide decision‑making from pre‑clinical through Phase 3 preparation and in‑licensing, turning signals into strategy and strategy into action.

You will partner closely with Early Commercial, Finance, Market Access, Medical, and Business Development to bring forward decision‑grade forecasts and market perspectives ahead of critical gates. In a global environment that is embracing predictive analytics, automation, and responsible AI, you will raise the bar on speed, clarity, and rigor—helping the enterprise place smarter bets and build a winning R&I portfolio.

Accountabilities:

• Early Forecasting Leadership: Build and refine early forecasts and scenarios across epidemiology, market adoption, competitive events, and policy shifts to inform stage‑gate decisions and resource allocation.
• Patient‑Based Modelling: Construct patient‑based forecast models that synthesize primary and secondary inputs and benchmark internal and external analogs to guide investment cases.
• Investment Case Support: Deliver commercial diligence and market models for in‑licensing, partnerships, and acquisitions, translating risk‑adjusted scenarios and NPVs into clear recommendations.
• Governance and Storytelling: Prepare decision‑oriented narratives for governance reviews, executive updates, portfolio prioritization, and opportunity assessments that illuminate trade‑offs and strategic implications.
• Executive Advisory: Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders by explaining forecast drivers, model changes, competitive signals, and “what it means” for pipeline and deal strategy.
• Therapeutic Area Strategy: Contribute as a core member of the Disease Strategy Team, informing R&I strategy with insights on unmet need, market evolution, and patient pathways.
• Research Oversight: Design and oversee vendor‑led qualitative and quantitative market research that directly informs investment decisions and therapeutic area strategy.
• AI‑Enabled Innovation: Identify and embed advanced machine learning, generative AI, agentic workflows, and automation to improve speed, insight quality, explainability, and scalability.
• Data and Model Governance: Champion robust model documentation, responsible AI practices, and transparent assumptions to build confidence, enable auditability, and manage risk.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred (MBA, MS, or PhD in a relevant quantitative, scientific, or life‑sciences discipline)
• 6+ years of relevant experience in pharma, biotech, or consulting, focused on forecasting, early‑stage pipeline strategy, or commercial market insights; experience supporting business development a plus
• Strong scientific and business acumen
• Scientific agility to delve into new indications, modalities, and biological targets
• Comfort with NPV, risk‑adjusted forecasting, scenarios, and sensitivity testing for investment cases
• Strong understanding of key commercial drivers, market access dynamics, pricing, reimbursement, and policy factors, particularly in the US and major global markets
• Clear, concise communicator who turns complex data into actionable recommendations for senior stakeholders and governance.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and alignment across global and US stakeholders.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Therapeutic area expertise in respiratory/immunology
• Experience designing and leading qualitative and quantitative primary market research
• Familiarity with secondary and syndicated data sources — medical claims, EHR/EMR, IQVIA Rx and sales data — and proficiency interpreting large, longitudinal patient‑level datasets
• Change leadership: builds adoption for new tools, processes, and ways of working across cross‑functional stakeholders and geographies
• Experience using AI agents, workflow automation, or digital productivity tools to simplify insight generation, reporting, and stakeholder communication
• Strong curiosity, growth mindset and high learning agility

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.

Why AstraZeneca:

Join an ambitious, fast‑moving company that is investing in digital, analytics and automation to unlock smarter, faster decisions that directly impact patients. Here you will work across boundaries—putting diverse experts together to spark bold ideas—while applying predictive analytics and responsible AI to real portfolio and deal choices. We value kindness alongside ambition and back our people with the tools, coaching and global network to learn at pace, challenge the status quo, and translate insight into enterprise‑scale outcomes. Your contribution will power better choices today and help deliver life‑changing medicines sooner.

Date Posted

08‑sept‑2026

Closing Date

21‑sept‑2026

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 is. 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.