Global Clinical Program Lead

AstraZeneca; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 288,000 - 432,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca in Gaithersburg, MD, is seeking a Senior Physician to design and manage global Physician strategy within Clinical Development. The role requires 5–8 years of clinical development experience, cross-functional collaboration, and leadership in regulatory and safety processes.

The position emphasizes strategic influence, engagement with the medical community, and ongoing monitoring of scientific developments. Travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Medical degree and experience as a physician or academic.
• Extensive experience in designing, monitoring and implementing clinical trials and interpreting results.
• Significant experience in advanced research and development.
• Therapeutic area expertise and commercial understanding; safety surveillance processes.

Responsibilities

• Design or manage the Physicians strategy within Clinical Development regionally and globally.
• Develop strategic objectives for inclusion into AstraZeneca’s annual business objectives.
• Lead AstraZeneca’s response to complex medical issues for current and new projects.
• Provide expert advice influencing global statistics development within Clinical Development.
• Follow medical developments and disseminate new information to transform trends into new plans.
• Liaise with internal and external medical communities to monitor developments.
• Ensure adequate number of qualified physicians for clinical testing.
• Maintain awareness of new and emerging medical developments.
• Contribute to senior management development in area of expertise.
• Mentor and manage performance of line management and project teams.
• Track scientific literature and engage with opinion leaders.
• Lead regulatory communication and prepare higher-level documents.

Skills

Medical degree

Physician experience

Clinical trials design

Research & development

Therapeutic area expertise

Pharmaceutical safety

Education

M.D./Ph.D./equivalent

Job description

Typical Accountabilities

• Design or manage the implementation of the Physicians strategy within Clinical Development both regionally and globally.
• Use expertise and knowledge of global issues to develop strategic Physicians objectives for inclusion into AstraZeneca’s annual business objectives.
• Define strategies or leads AstraZeneca’s response to complex technical issues for specific medical aspects in relation to current projects, new projects and various plans.
• Provide expert advice in the area of specialism, influencing the development of statistics to the global business and Global Clinical Development.
• Closely follow medical developments within assigned areas and disseminates new information within Clinical Development and outside to transform trends and emerging data into new plans.
• Liaise with the internal and external medical community to follow developments within areas of expertise.
• Ensure an adequate number of qualified physicians is available for clinical testing to satisfy AstraZeneca’s objectives in the clinical testing area.
• Maintain a high degree of understanding and awareness on new and emerging medical development.
• Contribute to or manage the development of the senior management team in area of expertise.
• Mentor, develop, and manage performance of line management and project teams, to ensure alignment with organizational goals and fostering succession planning.
• Follow important developments and trends in scientific literature and develops contacts with opinion leaders.
• Lead regulatory communication and preparation of higher-level documents.

Essential qualifications

• M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent medical or scientific qualification.
• At least 5-8 years of relevant clinical development experience, including study design, protocol development, trial implementation, monitoring, data interpretation, and reporting.
• Experience in clinical development and working within cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of biostatistics, global regulatory requirements, pharmacovigilance, GCP, and clinical trial safety.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, teamwork, and influencing skills.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
• Strong presentation and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively across global teams and travel as required

Qualifications and Skills

• Essential: Medical degree and experience as a physician or academic; Extensive experience in designing, monitoring and implementing clinical trials and interpreting trial results; Significant experience in advanced research and development; Therapeutic area expertise and commercial understanding; Thorough understanding of pharmaceutical safety, reporting and surveillance processes.
• Desirable: Medical degree in scientific discipline; Extensive general medical knowledge.

Compensation and working environment

The annual base salary range is $288,059 to $432,088 annually USD, depending on factors including location, skills, experience, and qualifications. The role may also be eligible for a short-term incentive bonus and equity-based long-term incentive program, subject to applicable terms.

AstraZeneca’s Gaithersburg site offers a collaborative and inclusive workplace, with amenities including gym access, networking events, lunch-and-learn sessions, and a sustainable office environment. Employees work from the office a minimum of three days per week, subject to role requirements and applicable arrangements.

Key Relationship to Reach Solutions

Internal: Senior Physician Team and Development function; Development leaders; Pharmacology; Pharmaceutical Development; Regulatory Department; Quality.

External: External service providers and regulatory bodies.

Date Posted

26-Aug-2026

Closing Date

01-Sept-2026

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.