Senior Director, Competitive Intelligence, Oncology R&D

AstraZeneca; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 218,000 - 327,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Short-term incentives

Equity-based awards

Commissions

Retirement benefits

Health, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off

Job summary

AstraZeneca is seeking a Senior Director, Competitive Intelligence to lead analysis that shapes oncology strategy and investment decisions. You will guide a team of specialists, delivering insights to senior leaders and partnering across functions to position pipeline assets for success.

The role requires a strong background in oncology, data-driven decision making, and proven leadership in a matrixed environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of experience working in research, data analysis or equity research.
• Strong critical thinking and the ability to communicate complex issues clearly.
• Strategic thinking with ability to anticipate and solve problems using data-driven decisions.
• Agility and adaptability in a fast-paced environment with societal impact.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and influencing without authority.
• Proactive prioritization to manage multiple priorities in a growing organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead competitive analysis and deliver insights to Senior Leadership and key partners.
• Shape strategy and influence investment decisions for oncology portfolio.
• Drive portfolio decisions and communication across the organization.

Skills

Critical thinking

Strategic thinking

Agility & impact orientation

Collaboration & leadership

Proactive prioritization

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

At AstraZeneca, every one of our employees makes a difference to patient lives every day. Each of us believes that science can change lives and to deliver this takes many people with many skill sets. When we deliver a life-changing medicine, that success comes from the combined efforts of all our people.

Oncology at AstraZeneca

Is unparalleled. We have created and strategically acquired one of the most promising Oncology pipelines in the industry. You will be among inspiring oncology industry leaders who will keep you engaged and empower you to be the best. We seek out opportunities to do varied meaningful work which means we won't just follow the same course of action time and again if we can see potential in a different way of creating life changing medicine.

Our vision to tackle cancer is bold - we commit to pushing the boundaries of science to change the practice of medicine, transforming the lives of patients living with cancer, and ultimately eliminating cancer as a cause of death. No matter where our teams are based, we share a collective sense of urgency - to defeat cancer and improve the lives of cancer patients. At AstraZeneca, we have reinvented ourselves and developed a unique, differentiated strategy to fundamentally shift the way cancer is treated.

Competitive Intelligence and Analysis

The Competitive Intelligence and Analysis team sits at the heart of developing commercial and clinical strategy and has an impact on decision-making at the highest levels. In this role, you will be a part of a high-achieving Strategy Team, with responsibility for ensuring the decisions we make with our pipeline assets best position us for return on investment and positive patient outcomes. You will shape strategy and influence investment decisions by delivering analysis and insights to Senior Leadership and other key partners to ensure a full understanding of the constantly evolving oncology landscape.

As a Senior Director, Competitive Intelligence, you will work with a team of specialists and own the delivery of competitive analysis, using your knowledge of the Oncology therapy area and external resources to shape future-proofed therapy area (TA) strategies. You will drive in-depth analysis of clinical and commercial data, generating and communicating critical insights on key issues to provide transparency and respectful challenge to key decision makers. Working with a range of partners, you will have an opportunity to further influence strategy through your intellectual agility and communication skills and build a network of trusted relationships. This is an opportunity for a motivated, collaborative, data-driven leader to shape strategic direction and drive portfolio decisions that advance our bold ambition to one day eradicate cancer as a cause of death.

Essential Qualifications

• Education and experience: Bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of experience working in research and/or with data, analysis and fact-based decision-making (equity research background is a definite asset)
• Critical thinking and communication: A critical, innovative thinker with a background in oncology, clinical / research or investment analysis and the ability to communicate complex issues simply and clearly
• Strategic thinking: Ability to think critically, creatively and to anticipate and solve problems, with excellent analysis and fact-based decision-making capabilities
• Agility and impact orientation: Highly intellectually capable with agility and adaptability, motivated by working in a fast-paced field with clear societal impact
• Collaboration and Leadership: Experienced in leading cross-functional teams with ability to influence without authority to lead in a fast-paced, highly matrixed work environment
• Proactive Prioritization: Resourceful, motivated, decisive and proactive; able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-growing organization

Preferred Qualifications

• Science forward education and training: PhD in Life Sciences, MD or MBA
• Consulting, VC, equity, or finance experience: Background in management consulting, venture capital, private equity, or finance and deep experience with clinical data and analysis (financial models, industry trends)
• Oncology expertise: Understanding of the Oncology TA with experience in the pharmaceutical industry or consulting contributing to strategic planning and portfolio decisions
• Pharmaceutical Experience: In-depth understanding of clinical data, clinical trial design or regulatory frameworks

In-Office Working Requirements

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. This role can be aligned to our offices in Boston MA or Gaithersburg, MD, with potential options in New York, London or Cambridge UK under certain conditions. We are unable to accommodate remote or travel constructs for these roles.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $218,330 to $327,494. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patients' lives by shaping the future of oncology innovation at AstraZeneca.

Date Posted

25-Sep-2026

Closing Date

17-Dec-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.