Executive Medical Director, Rheumatology, Early R&I Clinical Development

AstraZeneca GmbH; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biopharmaceutical company seeks a motivated drug developer to lead its immunology pipeline. The role involves designing clinical studies, providing medical leadership, and collaborating across functions to advance transformative medicines for complex diseases.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in clinical development within immunology.
• Understanding of drug development processes and biostatistics.
• Thorough knowledge of FDA, MHRA, and ICH GCP guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver clinical studies ensuring ethical integrity.
• Provide medical strategy and expertise to partners.
• Collaborate across clinical development functions.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Education

Advanced degree in relevant scientific discipline (MD and/or PhD)

Job description

Make a more meaningful impact to patients’ lives around the globe

Here you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to patients’ lives. With science at its core, this is the place where lab breakthroughs become transformative medicines for the world’s most complex diseases. Answer unmet medical needs by pioneering the next wave of science, focusing on outcomes and shaping the patient ecosystem.

The Role:

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated drug developer to shape the Immunology pipeline and lead innovative clinical stage programs.

In this position, you will provide medical leadership for preclinical and clinical stage assets across indications such as SLE, Systemic Sclerosis, Sjogren’s, and Rheumatoid Arthritis, spanning multiple modalities (small molecules, monoclonal antibodies, bi-specific and tri-specific antibodies, oligonucleotides). You will lead clinical development efforts, including creating development plans, designing studies, writing protocols, medical monitoring, and ensuring timely execution, in collaboration with internal and external partners and research organizations. You will also be involved in external innovation and business development activities.

The successful candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, proactive culture, and be an effective team player, communicator, and collaborator.

What you will do:

1. Be the single point accountable leader for designing, delivering, and interpreting clinical studies, ensuring ethical and scientific integrity in compliance with GCP.
2. Provide impactful medical strategy and expertise to research, translational medicine, early and late-stage clinical development, and commercial partners, including developing therapeutic area strategies.
3. Monitor medical developments within assigned areas and disseminate new information to inform clinical plans.
4. Collaborate across early and late R&I clinical development, partner functions, and wider organization to ensure high-quality, timely clinical development.
5. Represent early R&I clinical development to external stakeholders, including investigators, experts, regulatory bodies, and advocacy groups.
6. Lead regulatory communication and prepare higher-level documents.
7. Ensure internal and external peer review of study and program designs.
8. Support qualification of pharmacodynamic and disease markers for early efficacy assessment.
9. Provide strategic input on in-licensing opportunities.

Qualifications:

1. Advanced degree in a relevant scientific discipline (MD and/or PhD).
2. 10+ years of experience in clinical development within immunology indications, including early clinical phases.
3. Proven leadership in cross-functional teams and results delivery.
4. Excellent communication and organizational skills.
5. Understanding of drug development processes, study design, and biostatistics.
6. Thorough knowledge of FDA, MHRA, and ICH GCP guidelines.
7. Attention to detail, high-quality work ethic, and passion for results.
8. Experience managing complex projects and stakeholder collaboration.
9. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills.
10. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Location: Boston, MA

We promote a flexible work environment, with a minimum of three days per week in the office, fostering connection, pace, and innovation. Join us and be part of a culture dedicated to diversity, collaboration, lifelong learning, growth, and making a difference in medicine, patients, and society.