Global MSL Excellence Director

AstraZeneca; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca's Oncology Global MSL Excellence Director defines the tumour-area Field Medical strategy and leads key MSL excellence initiatives across AZ regions. Relying on extensive Field Medical leadership and tumour-area expertise, this role coordinates with Global Medical Affairs, Clinical Operations, MESO and Local Markets to align priorities and drive engagement excellence.

You will oversee the Field Medical Leadership Team, monitor plans and budgets, advance digital uptake, and mentor

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a scientific discipline or health sciences.
• 5+ years in an MSL organisation, including leadership of Field Medical teams.
• Experience in Global/Regional Medical Affairs and oncology with medical strategy.

Responsibilities

• Lead Field Medical strategy and 12–24 month roadmap aligned with global strategy.
• Lead the Field Medical Leadership Team and localise strategies across markets.
• Cross-functional partnership with Global Medical Affairs, Clinical Operations and MESO to align priorities.
• Oversee clinical trial support, governance, and external engagement plans.
• Ensure timely insights, reporting, and KPI tracking across markets.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Prioritisation

Communication

Collaboration

Matrix leadership

Budget management

Education

Advanced degree in a scientific discipline or health sciences

Job description

The Oncology Global MSL Excellence Director is accountable for defining the oncology tumour-area specific Field Medical strategy and overseeing the effective delivery of key MSL excellence initiatives that strengthen MSL capabilities across AZ regions for the Oncology Business Unit.

Relying on extensive Field Medical leadership and tumour area expertise, the GMSLE Director operates as the main point of contact for the tumour area – acting as the subject matter expert for Field Medical and providing consultation on all MSL-related activities.

The Global MSL Excellence Director is accountable for leading the Field Medical Leadership Team to drive high-impact operational and engagement excellence across markets, ensuring the robust adoption of enterprise Field Medical standards, delivering programmes to build Oncology-specific Field Medical capabilities, and shaping the future Field Medical role in Oncology.

The GMSLE Director collaborates closely with Global Medical Affairs, Global Clinical Operations, Global Medical Excellence, Strategy and Operations (MESO), in-market Field Medical leadership and other cross-functional partners to ensure Field Medical strategy and MSL effort allocation aligns with Global tumour area priorities and Local needs

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Field Medical strategy:

• Accountable for setting and governing the overarching tumour area Field Medical strategy and 12–24 month roadmap across the portfolio - anchored to Global medical strategy, scientific narrative(s), care gaps, evidence milestones, launch and external engagement needs, and translated into clear priorities and success measures for markets.
• Accountable for leading the Field Medical Leadership Team (FMLT), driving localisation and operationalisation of Field Medical strategy and MSL activities in line with tumour area priorities and Local needs.

Tactical planning and execution:

• Accountable for the strategic alignment and integration of plans across all tumour area Field Medical tactics; overseeing the continuous tracking and reporting of measurable success criteria, budget and timelines.
• Monitor delivery by Associate Directors and affiliates; maintaining accountability for the adaptation of plans according to evolving priorities, escalating challenges/risks and potential solutions to tumour area and/or functional leadership.

Cross-functional partnering:

• Acts as primary point of contact for GMSLE in the tumour area, accountable for representing Field Medical in cross-functional Global/Regional forums.
• Ensures close collaboration with key stakeholders – including Global Medical Affairs, Clinical Operations, Medical Excellence, Strategy & Operations (MESO), Local Field Medical and Alliance stakeholders (amongst others) – to align Field Medical strategy to tumour area priorities and Local needs.

Clinical trial operations:

• Lead the collaboration with Global Clinical Operations, Global Medical Affairs and Local Markets for Field Medical support of AstraZeneca’s clinical development program – embedding study prioritisation governance, communicating clear expectations for Field Medical support and proactively addressing Global/Local challenges to facilitate the effective delivery of our trials with measurable impact.

Insights strategy and reporting:

• Accountable for ensuring Field Medical insights priorities, external engagement strategy and quality standards align to Global Medical strategy and market needs – whilst influencing consistent adoption across regions.
• Accountable for the timely Global-to-Local cross-functional discussion and leadership escalation of key insights themes and recommendations, ensuring findings inform tumour area strategy, evidence plans and launch decisions – including and beyond congress data readouts.

Measurement and impact reporting:

• Accountable for the regular communication of tumour area Field Medical activity and impact reporting to Senior Medical leadership and cross-functional partners, implementing course-correcting action to ensure OBU Global key performance indications (KPIs) and enterprise-wide Field Medical expectations are met across markets.

Digital uptake:

• Ensure the vision for Field Medical use of digital systems/tools (e.g. CRM) to support in-field effectiveness and external engagement is well understood across markets; whilst representing Field Medical needs and barriers to update to enterprise product teams.

Field Medical subject matter expertise:

• Acts as the Field Medical subject‑matter expert and primary point of contact for tumour area providing clear and compliant consultation, guidance, and influence for all MSL‑related activities.
• Accountable for ensuring the enterprise vision for Field Medical roles is understood and consistently adopted across the Global and Local business.

Risk and compliance leadership:

• Accountable for ensuring all GMSLE activities and market guidance adheres to global compliance standards for Field Medical; anticipating risks across markets and implementing mitigation measures as required.

Mentorship and Team Development:

• Enable capability development and high-performance ways of working across the Global MSL Excellence function - including peer‑to‑peer coaching, mentoring Associate Directors, sharing best practice, and driving cross‑project learning.
• Use business knowledge and customer‑focused ethos to champion innovative and scalable Global MSL Excellence initiatives across the function.

Vendor and budget management:

• Accountable for overarching GMSLE budget management; aligning budget goals with company objectives, forecasting spend, tracking actuals, and making TA-level prioritisation recommendations where required.
• Ensure the efficient, effective and cost‑effective use of external vendors to support delivery of GMSLE tactics.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS

ESSENTIAL

Education

• Advanced degree in a scientific discipline or health sciences field

Experience

• 5+ years in an MSL organisation, including leadership of Field Medical teams
• Experience of working in Global and/or Regional Medical Affairs role
• Oncology experience with deep understanding of medical strategy, clinical development, Medical Affairs and Field Medical
• Track record leading above country programs that that support the operational excellence and capability development of high performing Field Medical teams‑country programs

Skills

• Strong strategic thinking, prioritisation, communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to manage strategic relationships, and lead and influence in a matrix
• Robust project and budget management skills

DESIRABLE

• Experience in MSL performance management and outcomes‑based reporting
• Clear understanding of the compliance requirements and governing bodies for MSL programs
• Effective problem solving using creative solutions and project management skills

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.