Director, Patient Centered Science, Late CVRM

AstraZeneca; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 194,147 - 291,220; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca GmbH is seeking a Patient-Centered Science Director to lead COA/PRO evidence strategies across therapy areas, focusing on patient experience data throughout development and lifecycle. You will guide cross-functional teams to define appropriate COA/PRO endpoints, identify evidence gaps, and translate insights into robust recommendations for regulatory discussions and submissions.

The role drives strategy from early development through late-stage programs, aligning patient-centered

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a clinical, biological, social science, or related field.
• Master’s degree in outcomes research, epidemiology, health services research, health policy, or a related discipline.
• Doctoral degree (MD preferred).
• At least 5 years’ experience in the biopharmaceutical industry.
• Demonstrated experience in COA/PRO or broader patient-centered science.
• Strong understanding of clinical development, study design, and evidence interpretation.
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods relevant to patient insight and outcome measurement.
• Experience working across functions and with external vendors/agencies.

Responsibilities

• Lead PCS strategy for assigned therapy areas and projects, covering COA, PRO, and patient experience evidence needs across development.
• Advise teams on endpoint strategy, including selection, development, validation, and implementation of fit-for-purpose instruments.
• Identify evidence gaps and define plans to generate robust patient-centered evidence for regulatory, payer, and clinical decision-making.
• Provide input to clinical development plans, TPPs/TPCs, protocols, briefing books, and regulatory submission packages.
• Lead PCS regulatory and HTA interactions related to PRO/COA evidence and support market-access evidence needs where relevant.
• Generate patient insight through interviews and other research approaches to inform strategy and documentation.
• Partner cross-functionally with R&D, Medical, Payer, Regulatory, and external experts to align evidence plans and messaging.
• Manage external vendors and subprojects, including scope, budget, timelines, quality, and deliverables.
• Drive scientific communication, including presentations, publications, and external engagement to advance AZ’s leadership in PCS.

Skills

PRO/COA strategy

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder management

Scientific leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in clinical/biological/social science

Master’s degree in outcomes research/epidemiology/health policy

Doctoral degree (MD preferred)

Job description

The PatientCenteredScience (PCS) Director leads therapy area and project‑level patient‑centered evidence strategies, with a focus on clinical outcome assessments (COAs), patient‑reported outcomes (PROs), and broader patient experience data across the product lifecycle.

The role ensures that patient‑centered evidence is fit for purpose and supports regulatory approval, HTA/reimbursement needs, and commercialization.

The role holder partners with cross‑functional teams to define the most appropriate COA/PRO endpoints, identify evidence gaps, and recommend or develop instruments and methods that capture the patient experience and meet stakeholder expectations. They provide strategic leadership from early development through late‑stage programs, ensuring that patient‑centered evidence is integrated into clinical plans, TPPs/TPCs, regulatory discussions, and submission dossiers.

The PCS Director is accountable for leading patient input activities, including interviews and related evidence‑generation approaches, and for translating those insights into scientifically robust recommendations. The role also represents PCS in interactions with regulatory authorities, HTA bodies, external experts, and internal governance teams, while supporting payer evidence needs such as utility and patient preference measurement.

In addition, the PCS Director drives consistent TA‑level standards for PRO/COA strategy, oversees relevant vendors and subprojects, contributes to scientific communications and publications, and strengthens AstraZeneca’s external reputation in patient‑centered measurement science.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead PCS strategy for assigned therapy area(s) and projects, covering COA, PRO, and patient experience evidence needs across development.
• Advise teams on endpoint strategy, including selection, development, validation, and implementation of fit‑for‑purpose instruments.
• Identify evidence gaps and define plans to generate robust patient‑centered evidence for regulatory, payer, and clinical decision‑making.
• Provide input to clinical development plans, TPPs/TPCs, protocols, briefing books, and regulatory submission packages.
• Lead PCS regulatory and HTA interactions related to PRO/COA evidence and support market‑access evidence needs where relevant.
• Generate patient insight through interviews and other research approaches to inform strategy and documentation.
• Partner cross‑functionally with R&D, Medical, Payer, Regulatory, and external experts to align evidence plans and messaging.
• Manage external vendors and subprojects, including scope, budget, timelines, quality, and deliverables.
• Drive scientific communication, including presentations, publications, and external engagement to advance AZ’s leadership in PCS.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a clinical, biological, social science, or related field.
• Master’s degree in outcomes research, epidemiology, health services research, health policy, or a related discipline.
• Doctoral degree (MD preferred).
• At least 5 years’ experience in the biopharmaceutical industry.
• Demonstrated experience in COA/PRO or broader patient‑centered science.
• Strong understanding of clinical development, study design, and evidence interpretation.
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods relevant to patient insight and outcome measurement.
• Experience working across functions and with external vendors/agencies.

Skills and Capabilities

• Deep expertise in PRO/COA strategy and its application in pharmaceutical development.
• Strong understanding of global regulatory, HTA, and product development requirements.
• Ability to translate patient‑centered evidence into strategic recommendations and actionable development plans.
• Strong scientific leadership, problem‑solving, and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and influencing skills.
• High integrity and strong ethical standards.

Key Interfaces

The role works closely with R&D project teams, Regulatory, Payer and Evidence teams, external consultants, academic partners, and regulatory/HTA authorities.

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $194,147.00 to $291,220.00. However, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short‑term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity‑based long‑term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles).

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.