Senior Director, Global Clinical Development Scientist

AstraZeneca; Gaithersburg (MD); Hybrid; USD 234,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc seeks a Senior Global Clinical Development Scientist Director to lead late-phase oncology trials from concept through registration. The role is based in Gaithersburg, MD, or in Barcelona, Canada, with a global, cross-functional team and regulators.

You will translate strategy into robust protocols, ensure protocol integrity, and guide Go/No-Go decisions to accelerate therapies to patients. You will mentor teams, manage safety reviews, and contribute to regulatory submissions

Qualifications

• PharmD, Ph.D. in life sciences, or MD required or preferred.
• Oncology experience strongly preferred for leadership in late-phase trials.
• Extensive knowledge of GCP and regulatory requirements across major regions.
• Experience creating and approving study protocols, reports, and governance materials.
• Able to lead cross-functional teams and drive complex clinical development plans.

Responsibilities

• Translate program strategy into high-quality study concepts and protocols.
• Own scientific rationale and integrity of protocols and plan components.
• Drive trial delivery with cross-functional teams and site coordination.
• Lead study-level medical monitoring and safety reviews.
• Review data and craft governance materials for Go/No-Go decisions.
• Support regulatory submissions and interactions with health authorities.
• Engage investigators and cross-functional partners to optimize design and recruitment.
• Mentor and develop junior team members and foster process improvements.

Skills

Oncology experience

Clinical development

GCP knowledge

Regulatory processes

Protocol design

Medical monitoring

Data interpretation

Cross-functional leadership

Education

PharmD

Ph.D. in life sciences

MD

Job description

Job Title: Senior Global Clinical Development Scientist Director

Flexible to be based in Gaithersburg, MD or Barcelona Missisauga

Introduction to role: Are you ready to shape late-phase oncology trials that reach patients worldwide and change standards of care? In this role, you will be the clinical science driver behind pivotal studies, turning strategy into protocols and data into decisions that matter for patients, clinicians, and regulators. You will partner closely with a counterpart physician and an empowered cross‑functional team to design, deliver, and interpret complex global studies. From first concept through study delivery and registration, you will influence protocol integrity, enable robust recruitment, and translate evidence into clear recommendations for investment and approval. Can you envision yourself guiding high‑stakes Go/No‑Go moments and accelerating therapies to patients?

Accountabilities:

• Clinical Strategy Translation: Convert program strategy into high‑quality study concept documents, protocols, and related materials (including ICFs, CRFs, TFL shells), ensuring alignment with clinical practice, the evolving scientific and regulatory landscape, and program objectives.
• Protocol Ownership and Integrity: Be accountable for the scientific rationale and clinical integrity of protocols and clinical plan components; deliver final protocols and secure governance approvals, partnering with the Study Physician, GCPL, and GCH for technical reviews at bodies such as DRC and PRC; may lead and approve the Medical Oversight Plan.
• Trial Delivery and Recruitment: Drive timely study initiation and execution with Clinical Operations, Program Management, GSTs, SMM, supply chain, and sample management; proactively flag recruitment risks, propose mitigations, and support implementation; provide clinical input to feasibility questionnaires and consult on country and site selection; respond rapidly to site queries and EC/IRB requests.
• Safety and Medical Monitoring: May lead study‑level medical monitoring and safety reviews to protect participants and data quality throughout study conduct.
• Data Review and Decision-Making: Lead high‑level clinical data reviews and interpretation; craft content for governance interactions seeking Go/No‑Go decisions; lead development and delivery of the clinical study report.
• Regulatory and Registration: Support health authority interactions; contribute clinical components for regulatory and EC/IRB submissions; provide clinical input to registration packages (e.g., NDA/BLA); collaborate on launch, branding materials, and publications.
• External Engagement and Feasibility: Partner with investigators, KEEs, MSLs, and SMMs to optimize study design, feasibility, and recruitment strategies; contribute to advisory boards; develop and deliver investigator and monitor training.
• Cross‑Functional Leadership: Serve as a core GST member representing Clinical Development; embed cross‑functional input from global medical affairs, marketing companies, commercial, and other stakeholders to unlock study success.
• Process Improvement and Mentorship: Provide expert input or lead process improvements; contribute to cross‑asset or cross‑tumor working groups; mentor and develop less experienced team members and, as appropriate, provide line management.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• PharmD, Ph.D. degree in life sciences, or MD preferred. Strong preference for Oncology experience
• 7+ yrs Industry or academic experience in drug development required.
• Possesses sound foundational knowledge of FDA and other major country regulations.
• Possesses detailed knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) other regulations governing clinical research.
• Possesses general knowledge of 1) medical monitoring 2) Regulatory approval process in relevant countries; 3) pharmaceutical industry/R&D operations; 4) marketing and commercial fundamentals.
• Significant oncology therapeutic experience to be sought out or serve as a resource to other internal/external

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Proven ability to independently lead components of complex clinical development plans, related documents, methodologies, analysis plans, and evaluation tools.
• Demonstrated ability to drive protocol design, writing, and implementation to meet GCP, ICH, and internal quality standards.
• Experience leveraging state‑of‑the‑art methodologies in clinical research, including novel endpoints, biomarkers, adaptive or innovative trial designs, and advanced analytical approaches.
• Strong communication and presentation skills to engage internal governance committees and external audiences such as investigator meetings, IDMCs, and scientific conferences.
• Experience contributing to and leading clinical reports and integrated summaries for complex global projects.
• Experience leading study‑level medical monitoring and safety reviews.
• Success operating in global, matrixed teams across multiple countries and time zones.
• Track record of mentoring or managing clinical staff and shaping team performance.
• Ability to influence and build consensus across diverse stakeholders including operations, biostatistics, regulatory, safety, and commercial partners.
• Advanced oncology therapeutic area expertise across multiple tumor types.

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, your clinical judgment fuels real progress against cancer, supported by a deep, diverse pipeline and collaborators who unite science and execution at pace. You will work at the leading edge with rich data, novel biomarkers, AI‑enabled insights, and bold trial designs—surrounded by colleagues who value kindness alongside ambition and who learn from both breakthroughs and setbacks. We bring the best of academia and industry together, convening unexpected teams to unlock decisive evidence and translate it into therapies that change lives.

The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $ 233,586.40 - 350,379.60 USD Annual. 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.

Date Posted: 30-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.