Medical Director, Breast Cancer

AstraZeneca plc; Gaithersburg (MD); Hybrid; USD 193,000 - 290,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Health benefits

Paid vacation

Equity-based incentives

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc is hiring a Medical Director for US Oncology Medical Affairs, Breast Cancer in Gaithersburg, MD. This hybrid, office-based role partners with the Medical Lead to translate scientific data into strategic medical plans and actionable programs.

You will engage with cross-functional teams, drive evidence-generation activities, and prepare for key clinical data readouts and potential product launches, shaping the breast cancer treatment landscape.

Qualifications

• Advanced scientific or clinical degree required.
• 3+ years Medical Affairs experience in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry.
• Experience with evidence generation and clinical trial methodology.
• Ability to operate effectively within a complex matrix organisation.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Medical Lead to develop and execute the US medical plan for early breast cancer.
• Coordinate the integrated Medical Affairs Plan (iMAP) and translate medical priorities into initiatives.
• Prepare organisation for important clinical data readouts and potential launches.
• Build deep scientific knowledge of disease area, asset, and development programme.
• Gather insights through advisory boards and MSL engagement and translate into tactics.
• Influence Field Engagement plans and adjust medical strategy accordingly.
• Support evidence-generation activities and understand clinical trial methodology.
• Collaborate across functions and lead cross-functional teams.

Skills

Oncology experience

Clinical evidence interpretation

Stakeholder management

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Financial acumen

Communication skills

Education

MD/PhD/PharmD or international equivalent

Job description

Medical Director, US Oncology Medical Affairs, Breast Cancer

Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland

Career Level: F

Work model: Hybrid, with an average minimum of three days per week in the office

AstraZeneca is seeking a Medical Director, US Oncology Medical Affairs, Breast Cancer to join our US Oncology Medical Affairs organisation. This is an opportunity to work on an innovative oncology asset at a pivotal point in its development, helping prepare for an anticipated clinical data readout and potential future launch in early breast cancer.

As Medical Director, you will work closely with the Medical Lead to translate scientific evidence, clinical trial data and insights from the medical community into impactful medical strategy and execution. You will contribute to work with the potential to advance outcomes for patients and influence the evolving testing and treatment paradigm in endocrine therapy and ESR1 mutation resistance.

This is an individual contributor role based at our Gaithersburg headquarters, offering broad exposure across US Oncology Medical Affairs and the opportunity to make an impact at an important point in the asset lifecycle.

Accountabilities

• Partner closely with the Medical Lead to develop and execute the US medical plan for early breast cancer.
• Coordinate the development and ongoing review of the integrated Medical Affairs Plan (iMAP), ensuring medical priorities translate into clear and actionable initiatives.
• Help prepare the organisation for important clinical data readouts and potential future launch activities.
• Develop deep scientific knowledge of the disease area, asset, clinical development programme and evolving breast cancer treatment landscape.
• Gather and synthesise insights through advisory boards, Medical Science Liaison engagement and other scientific interactions, translating these insights into meaningful medical tactics.
• Influence Field Engagement plans by identifying emerging needs and recommending appropriate adjustments to medical strategy and execution.
• Support evidence-generation activities and apply a strong understanding of clinical trial methodology to Medical Affairs priorities.
• Partner across functions, supporting the Medical Lead within relevant cross-functional teams and leading working groups where appropriate.
• Manage assigned projects and oversee medical budget spend against agreed priorities.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including healthcare providers, payers, patients and scientific experts.
• Ensure Medical Affairs activities are delivered in accordance with relevant governance, compliance and operational requirements.

Essential Skills/Experience

What you will bring

• Advanced scientific or clinical degree, such as an MD, PharmD, PhD, MBBS or international equivalent.
• 3+ years of Medical Affairs experience within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Demonstrated oncology experience and the ability to engage confidently with complex scientific and clinical evidence. The hiring manager identified oncology experience as a critical requirement for experienced candidates.
• Experience with evidence generation and clinical trial methodology.
• Strong project and stakeholder management experience, with the ability to build productive relationships across functions and externally.
• Experience working effectively within complex matrix organisations and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to gather, interpret and translate scientific and field insights into actionable Medical Affairs strategies and tactics.
• Business acumen and foundational financial-management capability.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with a proactive approach to ownership and delivery.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• MD or equivalent with oncology specialisation, PharmD, or PhD in a relevant scientific discipline.
• Experience in breast cancer, particularly early breast cancer.
• US headquarters Medical Affairs experience within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Experience supporting a significant clinical data readout and/or product launch.
• Experience developing and delivering country Medical Affairs plans.
• Understanding of the evolving technical, regulatory, policy and real-world evidence environment.
• Budget management experience.
• Experience within biotechnology or another environment where broad scientific and operational responsibilities have required agility and cross-functional leadership. Biotechnology experience was specifically identified as valuable during the hiring strategy discussion.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from 193,281.60 - 289,922.40 USD Annual. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. 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).

Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Why AstraZeneca

At AstraZeneca, we change the practice of medicine and improve patient experiences by generating and communicating compelling medical evidence. We translate our scientific and medical expertise into evidence that helps physicians make informed treatment decisions throughout the patient journey.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to contribute to an innovative oncology programme as it approaches an important stage of development, working alongside colleagues across Medical Affairs and the wider organisation to turn scientific evidence into meaningful impact for patients.

Where you will work

This position is based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. In-person working gives us the platform to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. We work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office while balancing this expectation with individual flexibility.

Join us in bringing science, insight and Medical Affairs expertise together to help shape the future of treatment for patients with breast cancer.

Date Posted: 26-Oct-2026

Closing Date: 08-Nov-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.