Senior Director, Regulatory Affairs Strategy - Cell Therapy

AstraZeneca plc; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 218,000 - 327,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc is seeking a strategic Regulatory Leader to own the global regulatory vision for high-complexity cell therapy programs, guiding them from development through licensure with efficient paths to approval and labeling.

The role spans discovery to commercialization, partnering with Global Product Teams and coaching a Global Regulatory Strategy Team to deliver results at the highest level.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a science related field.
• 7+ years of experience in the regulatory space.
• Demonstrated success in cell therapy regulatory strategy.
• Deep understanding of global regulatory science and program strategy.
• Broad experience across drug/biologic development and high-profile programs.
• Experience in oncology, autoimmune, rare diseases, or neurology.
• Proven experience leading regulatory and cross-functional teams.
• Strategic and risk-aware with leadership of Health Authority interactions.
• Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work in fast-paced environment.
• Flexible and proactive with multi-project management.
• Leadership of at least one global regulatory approval including labeling negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end global regulatory strategy for high-complexity cell therapy programs.
• Lead global/regional regulatory strategy and partner with Global Product Teams.
• Engage Health Authorities to design expedited pathways and robust preparation.

Skills

Regulatory strategy

Global regulatory leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Health Authority interactions

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a science related field

Job description

Available locations:

• Gaithersburg, MD
• Boston, MA
• South San Francisco, CA
• Santa Monica, CA

Introduction to role:

Are you ready to set the global regulatory vision for pioneering cell therapies and turn breakthrough science into real options for patients?

This role leads high-impact programs across cancer, immune-mediated and rare diseases, guiding them from current stage through licensure with clear, competitive pathways to approval and labeling.

You will shape strategy for complex, visible programs, bringing clarity, pace and rigor that accelerate access for patients.

You will report to the Executive Director, Cell Therapy Regulatory Affairs and act as a franchise global regulatory lead for programs with multiple indications, with the opportunity to serve in a dual capacity as a regional lead based on your expertise. Working across discovery through commercialization, you will partner closely with Global Product Teams to align science, evidence and policy, while coaching a Global Regulatory Strategy Team to deliver at the highest level.

Could you be the strategic voice that anticipates risk, seizes expedited opportunities and influences the dialogue with global health authorities?

Global Regulatory Leadership: Own the end-to-end global regulatory strategy for a high-complexity cell therapy program, from current stage through BLA submission, ensuring an efficient route to approval with competitive labeling aligned to product attributes and patient, market and business needs. -

Franchise and Regional Responsibility: Serve as global regulatory lead for complex, multi-indication programs and, where relevant, take on regional leadership to integrate region-specific strategy and execution.

Health Authority Strategy and Engagement: Lead strategy for agency meetings, information requests and expedited pathway designations; drive robust preparation that secures clear outcomes and de-risks pivotal milestones.

Dossier and Labeling Excellence: Direct the planning and construction of the global dossier and core prescribing information; own target product labeling strategy and negotiation readiness.

Cross-Functional Product Leadership: Represent Regulatory Affairs on Global Product Teams, shaping development and commercialization plans, contributing to governance presentations and aligning regulatory objectives with clinical, CMC, safety and commercial strategies.

Evidence and Decision-Making: Continuously assess emerging data against program aspirations; present risks, trade-offs and mitigations to senior leadership to enable decisive, data-driven choices.

Delivery and Milestone Management: Oversee all regulatory deliverables and milestones, including probability-of-success assessments and contingency planning to protect timelines and value.

Team Leadership and Talent Development: Lead a Global Regulatory Strategy Team for specific indications/programs; coach, mentor and, as applicable, line-manage team members to build capability and performance.

External Influence and Partnerships: Build strong relationships with regulatory stakeholders; partner with country and regional regulatory teams to shape developing views and guidance.

Innovation and Tools: Lead and promote the development of novel regulatory tools and technology, and contribute to non-project initiatives that advance how we work and the impact we deliver.

Marketed Product Stewardship: Maintain accountability for product maintenance and compliance activities associated with marketed brands, ensuring continued benefit to patients and compliance with evolving requirements.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• A bachelors degree in a science related field
• 7+ years of experience in the regulatory space
• Demonstrated success in cell therapy regulatory strategy.
• Deep understanding of global regulatory science and integration with program strategy.
• Long standing experience of overall drug/biologic development processes and strategies for high profile, complex or novel development programs.
• Experience with product development in the following therapeutic areas: oncology, autoimmune, rare diseases, neurology.
• Broad background of experience working in pharmaceutical business and prior experience in several areas within regulatory affairs.
• Proven experience leading regulatory and cross-functional teams, and stakeholder management.
• Ability to think strategically and critically and evaluate risks to regulatory activities.
• Previous experience in leading Health Authority interactions in major markets.
• Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment in a hands-on fashion.
• Flexible and proactive, with the ability to manage multiple projects and successfully adapt to changing business needs and priorities.
• Successful leadership of at least one global regulatory approval including leading response team and labeling negotiations

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Experience with FDA advisory committee and/or EMA oral explanation. - Experience working on due diligence activities and in a business alliance environment.
• Experience in leading and growing people through coaching or mentorship.
• Contribution to non-project business initiatives (e.g. at a portfolio or cross functional level).

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 regulatory leadership turns cutting-edge cell therapy science into treatments that change lives—fast.

You will work in a collaborative, empowered environment that blends scientific ambition with practical execution, where unexpected teams come together to challenge assumptions, share knowledge across borders and adopt new technology to shorten development cycles. We value kindness alongside ambition, give you the autonomy to lead and the support to grow, and connect your individual impact directly to patients who are waiting.

Pay Transparency:

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $218,058 - $327,087 USD Annual. 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 salary (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.

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.