Executive Director, Oncology Discovery Chemistry, Oncology Targeted Discovery

Executive Director, Oncology Discovery Chemistry, Oncology Targeted Discovery, Waltham Boston US

Oncology Research and Development (ORD) is a pivotal focus and growth platform at AstraZeneca. Our vision is to lead in the creation of a new generation of cancer therapies. We are committed to collaboration across all boundaries, driving innovation that makes a meaningful impact on the world by solving complex challenges.

As part of our continuous growth, we are investing in new capabilities and technologies to advance our industry-leading portfolio. Central to this effort is Oncology Targeted Discovery (OTD), a core discovery organization within ORD. OTD is key in developing transformational new medicines for clinical development, covering Small Molecules, Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs), and Radioconjugates (RCs).

As we embark on the next phase of our journey with a bold ambition to deliver at least 20 new medicines to patients by 2030, OTD will play a crucial role. It will drive scientific innovation to deliver the next wave of oncology medicines, helping to achieve our vision and improve patient outcomes globally.

Aligned to this ambition, we have created a new opportunity for an Executive Director, Oncology Discovery Chemistry based at our Waltham Massachusetts Site.  This is a pivotal senior leadership position within our growing oncology discovery chemistry organization and will have a critical role delivering the next wave of transformational oncology medicines.  Reporting to the Vice President, Global Oncology Chemistry & DMPK, you will have significant oversight of the discovery phase portfolio, covering all synthetic modalities and approaches but with a clear emphasis on leading and delivering our targeting chemistry strategy, including next generation Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC) and Radioconjugates (RCs).  The role comes with significant portfolio responsibilities with accountability to execute and deliver our departmental scorecard objectives, particularly as they relate to targeted tumor delivery.  The position also comes with significant global line leadership responsibilities and as a senior leader within chemistry & DMPK, you will have an important role in coaching and developing the global chemistry talent base.  You will also be an integral part of the global chemistry & DMPK senior leadership team and will represent the department at the OTD portfolio committee and other governance meetings.  A key element to the role will be to lead our targeted chemistry strategy and build a portfolio of next generation ADCs and RCs, aligned to AstraZeneca’s aspiration to become a world leader in this key area of oncology drug discovery.  In addition, you will have an important role in helping to drive the strategic direction of the global department, harnessing the next generation of synthetic approaches to solve target tractability challenges.

Key responsibilities

• Senior leader, accountable for leading a global discovery chemistry organization focused on the delivery of the ADC and RC oncology portfolios
• Accountable for developing and executing the ADC and RC strategy including next generation linker-payload combinations
• Provide insightful medicinal chemistry critique and portfolio oversight across the small molecule, ADC and RC oncology portfolios
• Provide inspirational line leadership, helping to coach and develop the next generation of drug hunters across the global chemistry and DMPK organization
• Member of the global chemistry & DMPK senior leadership team, contributing to the operational management of the broader department (budgets, hiring, portfolio resourcing, communications, health & safety) as well as helping to shape our culture globally
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the department including establishing novel small-molecule / synthetic platforms and applying these to future oncology projects
• Maintain a high degree of understanding and awareness of key internal and external developments relevant to the design and optimization of next generation targeted approaches (ADCs, RC and SM drug conjugates)
• Work collaboratively with key expert partner functions across discovery and early development (e.g. discovery & pharmaceutical sciences) to drive scientific excellence, prioritize resources and focus activities to maximize portfolio acceleration
• Represent the function at relevant governance meetings including the Oncology Research Board, providing expert scientific input and critique to support project delivery/prioritization
• Provide scientific leadership across the department to inspire innovation, maintain the highest levels of scientific rigor and drive organizational performance
• Work with leading academic institutions, external partners and collaborators to develop business critical science and platforms aligned to our strategic goals
• Maintain and enhance the scientific reputation of the department through high impact publications, presentations at key scientific symposia and building strategic external relationships

Essential Requirements

• PhD or equivalent degree in chemistry and at least 15 years relevant experience as a medicinal chemist

• Experience developing ADCs and other drug targeting approaches.

• Proven track record of portfolio delivery and advancing projects through all phases of the drug discovery process

• Proven people leadership skills and experience leading significant sized medicinal chemistry groups / departments.
• Executive level communication skills with ability to work closely with partners across the enterprise and build relationships with senior stakeholders

Desirable Skills

• Expert in drug design concepts and contemporaneous knowledge of novel approaches and modalities relevant to small molecule & ADC drug discovery
• Excellent cross-functional knowledge and expert knowledge of the drug discovery process from target selection through to the nomination of a clinical drug candidate and transition into early development
• Strategically aware and able to identify, develop & apply new technologies and capabilities across the function and wider enterprise
• Experience coaching and developing key talent
• Industry-wide reputation with a significant body of peer-reviewed publications & presentations
• Awareness of the competitive landscape across oncology

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.