Senior Medical Advisor - Rare Diseases

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.

Introduction to role:

Office-based Medical Leader who can be a single contributor within a given Therapy Area or for a significant product to ensure the company business unit goals are achieved. Accountable for strategic Therapy Area direction and scientific leadership within the medical engagement function.

Embeds deep knowledge of healthcare system practices and gaps, such as environment, priorities, and clinical and patient pathways. This understanding advises actionable strategies for the community Medical Plans. The role is responsible for developing and implementing the medical strategy for the therapeutic focus or product line. This includes confidence and evidence generation activities. The role drives foundational and balanced changes in clinical practice. These changes improve healthcare ecosystems and treatment outcomes.

They encourage relevant patient care, shifts in thinking, and enable opportunities for receiving superior medical services aligned with the company’s purpose. Recognizes and incorporates innovation wherever appropriate into Medical Affairs strategic plans and lead in execution to drive strategic and sustainable impact internally and externally to support the adoption of evidence-based practices, guidelines, and treatment approaches. Acts aa motivatorrs of balanced healthcare ecosystem change, improving access to quality care for patients and supporting the integration of our innovative medicines.

Ensures that all local medical requirements are met for all product/TA material and will use medical expertise to supply to the marketing direction of the product/TA. You will be recognised as a medical authority in the local marketing company and provide medical leadership and expertise. You will also give strategic input to make sure medical engagement plans align with the wider business goals.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to find, activate, and track scalable healthcare practice initiatives. Craft partnership engagement plans that include key traditional customers (e.g., HCPs) and non-traditional interested parties such as policymakers, PAGs, government, and forward-thinking service providers. to lead a significant cross functional, projects. For example, projects like RWE, pre-launch, post-launch clinical trials, or efforts involving access to the market. Works to ensure exceptional operational performance and collaborates with compliance to ensure adherence to company standards.

Accountabilities:

• Therapy Area Medical Strategy: Define and own the therapy area/product medical strategy and local Medical Affairs Plan, aligned to portfolio priorities and patient needs, with clear objectives and measurable impact.
• Evidence and Confidence Generation: Identify evidence gaps; design and deliver real-world evidence, clinical studies, and scientific activities that advise guidelines, strengthen confidence in our medicines, and support access decisions.
• Practice Shaping and Ecosystem Impact: Diagnose care pathway gaps and activate scalable, sustainable clinical practice transformations that improve diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outcomes in rare diseases.
• Collaborator Engagement Coordination: Build and implement engagement plans coordinated across traditional and non-traditional collaborators, including HCPs, policy makers, government, advocacy groups, and innovative solution providers.ers.
• Field Medical Leadership: Prioritize and align the Field Medical Strategic Plan and MSL activities with Medical Affairs strategy; provide training, mentoring, and subject matter expertise to elevate external scientific exchange.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead significant cross-functional initiatives, such as pre-launch preparations, post-launch studies, real-world data programs, and market access projects, ensuring operational excellence and timely delivery.
• Digital and Innovation Enablement: Leverage technology, dashboards, and novel partnerships to deliver patient-centric solutions, advance equitable access, and inform data-driven internal and external decisions.
• Insights to Action: Continuously gather external insights and translate them into strategic recommendations; provide regular updates on delivery versus plan, variances, mitigations, and patient impact.
• Medical Education and Tools: Lead educational initiatives and develop clinical support tools that embed new science into real-world practice.
• Medical Governance and Compliance: Provide authority scientific review and approval of sophisticated materials and major congress content; ensure scientific accuracy, adherence to regulations, and alignment with internal standards; advise marketing on medical integrity.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• A medical degree complemented by specialization or equivalent experience in the required product or disease area
• Extensive experience of 4+ years in the medical affairs area within a pharmaceutical industry.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of pharmaceutical industry and field medical function
• Ability to interact and handle a range of collaborators both internally and externally
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Excellent oral and written communication
• Ability to work optimally in a cross-functional environment
• MBBS or MD Pharmacology
• Innovative and dedicated to finding effective answers
• Experience with basic research, drug discovery and development and drug lifecycle management
• Understanding of multiple aspects within Medical Affairs department

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Therapeutic experience in unusual conditions, including care pathways and unmet needs
• Track record shaping clinical practice through RWE, publications, and medical education
• Experience leading pre-launch and launch excellence programs and evidence strategies
• Established relationships with external authorities, patient organizations, and policy collaborators
• Proficiency with analytics dashboards and digital engagement tools to inform decisions
• Experience advising on market access and health system transformation initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to influence brand strategies and portfolio prioritization

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.

You can find alternative messaging to use in the ‘Global Talent Attraction Story messaging’ section of the Global Playbook on the Employer Brand Portal - try to use other examples in order to make it different for candidates!

So, what’s next?

• Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you.
• Are you ready to bring new ideas and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant! We have one seat available and we hope it’s yours.
• If you’re curious to know more then please reach out to (contact person) We welcome with your application, no later than (Month) (XX)

Where can I find out more?

Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/

Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/

Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/astrazeneca_careers/?hl=en

If you have site, country or departmental social media then feel free to switch any of the above links.

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.