Executive Director, Head of Competitive Intelligence

AstraZeneca; England; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A global biopharmaceutical company is seeking an Executive Director, Head of Competitive Intelligence, to lead their Oncology CI function. This pivotal role involves delivering strategic insights and managing a high-performing team. Candidates should have extensive experience in competitive intelligence, especially within the oncology field, and possess strong leadership and communication skills. The position is based in the UK and offers competitive benefits and a commitment to employee growth.

Benefits

Flexible employee benefits fund

Holiday purchase and flexible time off

Pension contributions

Performance recognition scheme

Qualifications

• Extensive competitive intelligence or equity research experience.
• Experience running a competitive intelligence or equity research team.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to deal with complexity.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the Oncology CI function across R&D and commercial.
• Build a high-performing inclusive CI team.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to support strategic decision-making.
• Manage CI budget and vendor partnerships.

Skills

Competitive Intelligence expertise

Oncology experience

Leadership skills

Collaboration

Communication skills

Influencing skills

Education

Science or commercially related Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree in decision analysis, statistics, business or medicine/science (desirable)

Job description

Executive Director, Head of Competitive Intelligence

Possible Locations: Gaithersburg, MD, Boston, MA, London (UK), Cambridge (UK)

With deep Competitive Intelligence expertise, Oncology experience, and sound business judgment, this global head-level role leads the Oncology Competitive Intelligence function and drives Oncology portfolio strategy from early R&D through commercialization. The role is a core member of the Straegy. Business Development, Alliances (SBDA) leadership team.

Description

• Lead a best-in-class Oncology CI team that sets the industry benchmark for excellence and impact. Act as the single source of truth on the Oncology competitive landscape, delivering high-impact insight that directly shapes investment, clinical development, and global commercial strategies.
• Translate deep competitor, pipeline, and market insights into actionable recommendations that directly guide Oncology strategy and executive decisions.
• Represent the external environment in critical decision-making forums, challenging assumptions and ensuring CI drives R&D and commercial priorities.
• Drive excellence as a core member of SBDA LT. As a member of the SBDA LT this role will also play a part in ensuring the continued high performance of the group

Typical Accountabilities

• Oversee the Oncology CI function across R&D and commercial, ensuring alignment to business priorities and Oncology indications.
• Build, develop, and retain a high-performing, inclusive CI team with strong succession planning and a culture of continuous learning.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to set CI priorities and ensure intelligence directly supports strategic decision-making.
• Deliver proprietary, externally informed recommendations by leveraging a broad network of sources, vendors, and public data.
• Provide future-oriented insights and early-warning intelligence in senior decision-making forums.
• Communicate clear assessments of the portfolio’s competitive position to inform development, franchise, and commercial strategies.
• Anticipate and share external data or events that could impact the Oncology portfolio’s success and forecasts.
• Ensure delivery of high-quality insight summaries, materials, and presentations for senior stakeholders.
• Manage CI budget and vendor partnerships to ensure high-value, cost-effective outcomes.
• Lead key CI and cross-functional projects that support strategic objectives.

Essential for the role

• Science or commercially related Bachelors degree
• Extensive competitive intelligence or equity research experience and experience
• Experience running a competitive intelligence or equity research team
• Broad knowledge of healthcare ecosystem/dynamics
• Strong leadership skills, demonstrating flexibility and a proven ability to prioritise and deal with complexity under time and other pressures.
• Highly collaborative, extensive track record of building productive networks
• Service oriented, self-motivated, curious and results-oriented
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Strong Influencing skills
• Prior experience working with and presenting to with senior executives.

Desirable

• Expertise in Oncology
• Advanced degree holders who have a focus in decision analysis, statistics, business or medicine/science

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca, we 're dedicated to being a phenomenal Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There is no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration. Always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development.

Competitive Benefits

This opportunity offers access to a flexible employee benefits fund, including holiday purchase and flexible time off, pension contributions, Share Save Plans, A performance recognition scheme and a competitive, generous remuneration package.

So, what’s next?

A place built on courage, curiosity and collaboration – we make bold decisions driven by patient outcomes. Empowered to lead at every level, free to ask questions and take calculated risks that write the next chapter for our pipeline.

If you are swift to action, confident to lead, willing to collaborate, and passionate about the possibilities, then we are keen to hear from you!