Head of Early Commercial & Innovation, Hematology

Job description

At AstraZeneca, our ambition is to transform outcomes for patients with hematologic malignancies and related hematology conditions. We aim to reset standards of care by advancing innovative therapies across a broad pipeline inclusive of assets, including bispecific T-cell engagers (TCEs), antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and other emerging modalities. Reporting into the VP, Global Head, Hematology Franchise & Cell Therapy and sitting on the Leadership Team, as Head of Early Assets, Hematology, you will operate at the commercial–R&D interface to shape our early hematology pipeline from preclinical through early clinical development—ensuring clear line-of-sight to patient impact and long-term commercial value across modalities and disease segments. You will partner closely with Oncology R&D, Global Product Teams, Business Development, Medical, Market Access/Pricing, Finance, and priority markets to build winning target product profiles, inform clinical plans, and define early go-to-market strategies that scale across indications. This role is highly visible within the OBU and requires a strong matrix leader who can influence without authority and translate scientific innovation into compelling commercial and development strategies. You will be accountable for understanding industry innovations and trends across hematology and translating those insights into strategy. Key duties and responsibilities Commercial strategy for early assets: Lead the early commercial strategy across hematology modalities (TCEs, ADCs, small molecules, and other emerging platforms), integrating disease biology, competitive dynamics, and customer insights to shape target product profiles, positioning, and differentiation. R&D partnership and development planning: Provide strategic input to discovery and early development teams on indication prioritization, study design, endpoints, inclusion/exclusion criteria, and line-of-therapy to optimize clinical and regulatory line-of-sight. Insights and analytics: Guide and collaborate with insights/analytics to integrate hematologist/center-of-excellence, patient/caregiver, payer, and provider insights and competitive intelligence; partner closely to inform value stories, price/reimbursement scenarios, and risk/opportunity assessments that support commercial decision-making. Evidence and access strategy: Partner with Market Access & Pricing on early access strategies, affordability models, and system readiness. Shape early evidence needs (clinical, RWE, PROs, HEOR) and payer value narratives tailored to hematology. Collaborate with lifecycle team: Shape lifecycle options, next-wave indications, and inform investment cases for internal programs and external opportunities in collaboration with Search & Evaluation and BD. Cross-BU collaboration and governance: Represent the hematology commercial and clinical view in cross-functional forums and governance (e.g., therapy area leadership, early-stage portfolio committees), ensuring alignment to OBU strategy and enterprise priorities. Market readiness and launch pathways: Coordinate with priority markets (notably US) to pressure-test assumptions to enable scalable launch pathways for transitions to late development. Financials and planning: Lead Forecasting, Long-Term Planning (LTP), scenario planning, and budget needs for early assets; provide sensitivity analyses for clinical and market uncertainties. External engagement: Build and maintain networks with key clinical experts, industry leaders, patient advocacy, payers, and hematology centers to bring the external voice into strategy and development. Skills and capabilities Commercial excellence: Demonstrated success shaping and executing commercial and development strategies for hematology assets (e.g., TCEs, ADCs, small molecules). Strategic thinking and financial acumen: Ability to synthesize science, clinical evidence, market signals, and economics into clear strategic choices and robust business cases. Matrix leadership: Proven ability to influence across R&D, Medical, Access, and Markets; skilled at alignment-building and decision-making in ambiguous, high-velocity settings. Science and clinical acumen: Strong grasp of hematology disease biology and clinical development; able to challenge and partner with R&D on endpoints, comparators, biomarker strategies for various modalities. Problem solving and execution: Structured, data-driven approach with a track record of translating ideas into action and delivering results through others. Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication; compelling storyteller who can distill complexity for senior stakeholders and governance bodies. Requirements / qualifications Education MD required; hematology-trained physician strongly preferred. Advanced training or board certification in hematology/oncology is an advantage. Additional advanced degree (MBA, MSc, PhD) is a plus. Experience Must have: Industry experience in biopharma, including significant time at the commercial–R&D interface and in early asset strategy or early commercial roles within hematology. 10+ years in biopharma with experience across hematology; direct exposure to modalities such as TCEs, ADCs, and small molecules. Demonstrated experience shaping product profiles and early clinical plans amid evolving datasets; familiarity with CMC, manufacturing, and supply/logistics considerations relevant to hematology biologics and small molecules. Broad commercial experience including pre-launch strategy, forecasting, market research, pricing & reimbursement, competitive intelligence, and early go-to-market design. Evidence of building investment cases and collaborating with BD/Search & Evaluation on external opportunities. Experience engaging external stakeholders: clinical experts, centers of excellence, payers, patient advocacy, and provider systems. Other qualifications Successful people leadership or significant matrix leadership experience. Comfortable operating in ambiguity and establishing scalable models for emerging hematology modalities. Location, travel, and work pattern Based in Gaithersburg, MD; full-time role within the Oncology Business Unit. Some domestic and international travel to R&D sites, priority markets, conferences, and centers of excellence should be expected. The annual base pay for this position ranges from $270,221 - $405,332. 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 22-May-2026 Closing Date 18-Jun-2026 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.