Medical Lead - GI Cancer

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

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc in the United States seeks a senior leader to define medical strategy for GI oncology, translating robust evidence into strategy that improves patient outcomes. You will partner with R&D, safety, field teams, and market access to ensure science is communicated with integrity and launches deliver real impact.

You will guide evidence generation, lifecycle planning, and cross-functional execution, influencing global standards of care while growing your expertise and leadership

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years in industry or clinical/research setting, preferably oncology.
• 1-3 years in HQ Medical Affairs role.
• Experience with brands or disease areas at country/regional/global levels preferred.
• Proven ability to collaborate with commercial and scientific colleagues.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Willingness to travel up to 30%.

Responsibilities

• Lead Medical Affairs for the GI oncology franchise and set direction for evidence generation and lifecycle strategy.
• Ensure medical information accuracy and fair balance in materials for internal and external use.
• Build relationships with advocacy, payer, and provider groups to align on patient needs.
• Provide medical input into product safety profile with Patient Safety physicians.
• Partner with Medical Science Liaisons and National Clinical Account Managers to support key accounts.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver patient-centered outcomes across the franchise.

Skills

Scientific degree

Oncology experience

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Education

Scientific degree (MBBS/PhD/MD)

Job description

Are you ready to lead medical strategy in GI cancers and translate breakthrough science into better outcomes for patients worldwide? Do you thrive at the intersection of science, strategy, and cross-functional influence where your decisions shape clinical practice and business results?

In this role, you will set the medical direction for a critical GI oncology franchise, fusing robust evidence with clear strategy to change how patients are treated. You will partner closely with colleagues across the enterprise - from research and safety to field teams and market access, to ensure our science is communicated with integrity, our insights drive action, and our launches and lifecycle plans deliver real impact.

You will join a high-performing, collaborative team that learns fast, moves with purpose, and values both ambition and kindness. With access to cutting-edge research and a deep pipeline, you will have the platform to grow your expertise, influence global standards of care, and see your work make a measurable difference for patients, science, and society.

Accountabilities

• Medical Leadership: Lead Medical Affairs for the GI oncology franchise and provide medical leadership to the Core Medical Team, setting direction for evidence generation, launch readiness, and lifecycle strategy that elevates standards of care.
• Evidence and Information Integrity: Ensure medical accuracy and fair balance of all medical information in promotional and learning materials for internal and external use, maintaining scientific rigor and compliance.
• External Partnerships: Build credible relationships with advocacy, payer, and provider groups to align on patient needs, inform strategy, and shape scientific exchange that drives adoption of best practices.
• Safety and Benefit-Risk: Provide medical input into the product safety profile in collaboration with Patient Safety physicians, interpreting emerging data and guiding risk communication and mitigation.
• Field and Key Account Collaboration: Partner with Medical Science Liaisons and work closely with National Clinical Account Managers to support key accounts, translating insights into targeted medical plans and impactful engagements.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Work collaboratively with commercial and scientific colleagues to integrate insights, align on priorities, and deliver coordinated, patient-centered outcomes across the franchise.

Essential Skills/Experience

• Sophisticated Scientific Degree (MBBS, PharmD, PhD, or MD) or international equivalent
• A minimum of 5+ years of related work experience in industry, clinical or research institution, preferably in oncology, rare disease, or related experiences
• 1-3 years in HQ Medical Affairs role
• A minimum of 3+ years of related work experience in industry, clinical or research institution, preferably in oncology, rare disease, or related experiences
• Experience in supporting brands or disease area levels in country, regional, or global organizations is preferred
• Proven track record of interacting efficiently with both commercial and scientific/medical colleagues
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally
• Highly developed written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Travel will be up to ~30% of time.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Solid understanding of FDA requirements
• Experience in a strategy-setting role within Medical Affairs
• Experience in navigating sophisticated business challenges
• Experience in developing and maintaining a network that includes third-party expert
• Experience in other relevant disease areas of interest through clinical experience, biopharmaceutical experience, or education may be considered
• Knowledge of relevant Professional Societies and Scientific Medical Experts.
• Experience with pharmaceutical drug development and Medical/Scientific Affairs

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Why AstraZeneca

Here, science meets strategy with urgency and heart. You will shape evidence that informs real clinical decisions, working alongside diverse experts who collaborate openly and move at pace to bring transformative oncology medicines to patients. With access to a deep, innovative pipeline and a culture that encourages bold ideas, constructive challenge, and continuous learning, your contributions will ripple from data to practice, from teams to treatment - advancing the mission to redefine cancer care while growing your own capabilities and influence.

Call To Action

If you are ready to lead GI cancer strategy, elevate standards of care, and see your impact reach patients and practice, take the next step and submit your application today.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $ 193,281 - 289,922 USD. 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. Benefits offered include 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

Date Posted

26-Oct-2026

Closing Date

12-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.