Senior Director, Digital & Computational Pathology

About the Role

The Senior Director, Digital and Computational Pathology (DPCP) will define and lead AstraZeneca’s end-to-end strategy for DPCP image analytics, bridging R&D innovation with Commercial execution. The role focuses on building scientifically credible, compliant, and scalable solutions while developing clear go-to-market (GTM) models that translate imaging science into differentiated products, services, and partnerships. You will steward a cross-functional team integrating pathology, AI/ML, software engineering, and product management, partnering closely with Discovery, Translational Medicine, Clinical Development, Diagnostics, IT, and Commercial Franchises to deliver decision-changing insights and market-ready offerings.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy and Vision: Set a multi-year vision that connects scientific roadmaps with commercial opportunity, defining DPCP pathways, value propositions, and portfolio alignment across therapy areas.
• GTM Leadership: Design and execute GTM strategies for DPCP solutions, including segmentation, and commercialization models
• R&D Partnership: Translate discovery and translational advances (e.g., image-based biomarkers, spatial analytics) into validated offerings; align on clinical utility, evidence generation, and regulatory strategy with therapy area teams.
• Commercial Franchise Collaboration: Co-create customer narratives, market requirements, and adoption programs with Franchises; build field enablement materials, and define success metrics (penetration, utilization, outcomes impact).
• Product Management: Own product life cycle for digital pathology capabilities—concept, MVP, validation, launch, and scale—ensuring user-centric design, compliance, and measurable value.
• Platform Ownership: Lead enterprise-grade platform validation (WSI ingestion, storage/rendering, annotation, algorithm deployment, audit trails), ensuring security, interoperability, and performance at scale.
• AI/ML Development: Oversee validation of algorithms (classification, segmentation, cell phenotyping, spatial fusion) with robust MLOps, monitoring, and continuous improvement.
• Evidence and Outcomes: Define evidence plans that demonstrate analytical validity, workflow efficiency, and economic value; partner on HEOR and real-world performance studies.
• Regulatory and Quality: Follow regulatory pathways (GxP/IVD considerations), quality systems, and readiness for image-based biomarkers and diagnostics; engage with regulators and standards bodies as needed.
• Partnerships and Ecosystem: Structure strategic collaborations with scanner vendors, CROs, diagnostics partners, health systems, and technology providers; negotiate commercial terms and co-development agreements.
• Operations and Scale: Build scalable, compliant workflows from sample receipt through imaging, QC, analysis, reporting, and knowledge capture; optimize throughput, turnaround time, and cost.
• Commercial Enablement: Develop training, sales tools, messaging, and playbooks; support customer pilots, proof-of-value programs, and post-launch adoption/expansion.
• Communication and Change Management: Evangelize capabilities across AZ and with external stakeholders; communicate impact to senior leadership with clear metrics and narratives.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Education: PhD, MD, or equivalent experience in Pathology, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or related field.
• Experience: 5+ years in digital pathology, computational imaging, or applied AI/ML in biopharma/healthcare; 5+ years leading multidisciplinary teams and product portfolios at senior level.
• Domain Expertise: Deep knowledge of histopathology workflows, multiplex imaging (IHC/IF, mIHC, IMC, spatial transcriptomics), WSI formats, and image analysis methods.
• GTM and Productization: Proven track record building and commercializing digital health or diagnostics solutions, including pricing, packaging, channel strategy, and launch execution.
• Technical Skills: Experience with deep learning, classical image analysis, spatial statistics, model validation, MLOps, and deployment at scale.
• Regulatory and Quality: Experience with biomarker validation, analytical/clinical validation frameworks, GxP/IVD pathways, and regulatory interactions for image-based endpoints or diagnostic solutions.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Ability to influence R&D and Commercial stakeholders, synthesize complex science into clear customer value, and drive alignment toward measurable outcomes.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Board Certification: Board-certified pathologist or significant experience collaborating in pathology departments.
• Commercial Diagnostics: Experience with companion diagnostics, LDT/IVD commercialization, health system adoption, and payer engagement.
• Tools and Ecosystem: Hands-on familiarity with scanners, LIS/LIMS, digital viewers, annotation tools, and AI toolchains
• Operational Excellence: Experience implementing SOPs, QMS elements, CAP/CLIA interactions, and performance KPIs for imaging laboratories.
• HEOR and Real-World Evidence: Background in outcomes research and economic value demonstration for digital diagnostics.
  
  

Key Competencies

• Scientific Rigor: Applies strong methodological standards, reproducibility, and thoughtful experimental design.
• Customer-Centricity: Translates scientific capabilities into clear customer value propositions and adoption pathways.
• Systems Thinking: Connects science, technology, process, compliance, and commercialization to deliver reliable, scalable solutions.
• Influence and Communication: Distils complex topics into compelling narratives for clinical, technical, and commercial audiences.
• Execution and Scaling: Balances innovation with disciplined delivery, launch, and post-market scale-up.

AstraZeneca offers an environment where diversity is our strength, reflecting the variety of patients we serve. Here, you'll find a place for continuous learning, exchanging knowledge, and building best practices to grow your career. With a fusion of support, trust, and agility, you'll be encouraged to bring your whole self to work and embrace all the investment, feedback, and ample opportunities on offer. It's an exciting time for our team as we redefine the future of healthcare.

Ready to jump in and be part of something extraordinary? Apply now and take the next step in your career journey with AstraZeneca!

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $229,303 to $343,955. 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.

Date Posted

Closing Date

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.