Area Medical Director

Job Title

Area Medical Director

Role Overview

The Area Medical Director is accountable for setting and executing the area-level medical affairs strategy across multiple markets, with a focus on rare and orphan diseases. This role aligns area priorities with Global Medical Affairs (GMA) and regional objectives, identifies and addresses gaps in local and global plans, and ensures scientific leadership, compliance, and operational excellence. Acting as the Rare Disease (RD) Therapeutic Area lead for the region, the role guides local AstraZeneca (AZ) teams, leveraging Alexion’s expertise in rare diseases to enhance medical education, disease awareness, evidence generation, and clinical trial footprint. The Area Medical Director builds and maintains a robust KOL network, leads above-country initiatives, and drives cross-market knowledge sharing to elevate standards and impact across the area.

Key Responsibilities
• Medical Leadership: Develop and execute the area medical affairs strategy in alignment
with GMA and regional priorities, grounded in identified gaps across local and global
plans. Serve as the RD TA lead for the region, guiding local AZ teams and
leveraging Alexion know-how in rare diseases. Lead above-country initiatives to amplify
the reach and impact of medical education and disease awareness activities.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Build strong relationships with regional AZ
leadership, local cross-functional teams, GMA, and Alexion Commercial Area
Directors to secure medical representation in decision-making forums at area and local
levels. Influence AZ counterparts to ensure the right medical focus, resources, and
capabilities are in place to execute the rare disease medical strategy. Lead area-level
medical initiatives including congress presence, medical education events, advisory
boards, publications, and Centers of Expertise scientific programs.
• Medical Execution: Define the medical capabilities required for success in rare diseases
and actively contribute to the development of rare disease team members.
Establish medical KPIs aligned with strategy and ensure execution through regular
reviews with markets. Drive knowledge sharing and best-practice dissemination across
markets to improve consistency, quality, and impact.
• Scientific Exchange and External Engagement: Ensure high scientific expertise within
Medical teams and actively maintain an area-level KOL network to establish scientific
leadership. Identify and drive high-impact initiatives across the area, such as patient
support programs, evidence generation activities (e.g., ESRs, RWE studies, observational
research), and expansion of the clinical trial footprint in rare diseases.

Experience and Qualifications
• Education: M.D., Ph.D., or Pharm.D. degree.
• Area-Level Medical Affairs Experience: 5+ years in an area-level Medical Affairs role,
setting medical strategy across multiple markets. Proven experience leading local
Medical Affairs teams.
• KOL Network: Demonstrated ability to build and actively maintain an area-level KOL
network that can be leveraged for strategic initiatives, scientific exchange, and evidence
generation.
• Rare/Orphan Disease Expertise: Proven expertise in orphan diseases or rare diseases,
with deep understanding of the unique medical, scientific, and access challenges.
• Compliance and Regulations: Deep understanding of medical
compliance and pharmaceutical regulations across the area’s markets, with a strong
track record of compliant medical operations.
• Clinical Development and Evidence Generation: Experience in late-stage clinical
development, real-world evidence (RWE), and observational studies, including planning,
oversight, and dissemination of insights.
• Leadership and Influence: Strong strategic leadership, stakeholder management,
and influencing skills to secure resources and align cross-functional teams to medical
priorities.
• Execution and Metrics: Proven ability to define medical capabilities and KPIs, drive
execution, and conduct regular performance reviews across multiple markets.
• Communication: Excellent scientific communication skills, including experience
with advisory boards, publications, congresses, and medical education programs.

Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.