Senior Global Development Medical Director

AstraZeneca is seeking a Senior Global Development Medical Director to provide clinical and scientific leadership across global development programs in Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Diseases (CVRM).

As a Research Physician or Scientist, you will work within cross-functional global teams to design, conduct, interpret, and report clinical studies. You will collaborate with the Global Clinical Head, regulatory agencies, external medical experts, alliance partners, investigators, and internal stakeholders to advance medicines through development and toward patients.

The role also includes contributing to publications and congress presentations, providing medical input into core labelling texts, supporting commercial activities, and contributing scientific expertise to pricing and value strategies.

Key responsibilities

Medical and scientific leadership

• Provide strategic medical and scientific expertise throughout the design, initiation, execution, completion, and interpretation of clinical studies.
• Lead study design concepts and establish clear objectives for clinical programs and individual studies.
• Provide medical expertise with Product Teams and support interpretation of clinical and safety data.
• Deliver medical information and responses to regulatory authorities, ethics committees, investigators, study sites, and Marketing Companies.
• Maintain current knowledge of relevant literature, treatment guidelines, and emerging medical developments.

Clinical trial delivery and safety

• Provide medical accountability to the Global Clinical Head for assigned studies.
• Drive medical decisions within the Study Team and resolve clinical issues.
• Ensure studies meet the highest ethical, safety, GCP, regulatory, and AstraZeneca standards.
• Provide medical input into protocols, statistical analysis plans, amendments, informed consent forms, case report forms, safety plans, and risk-based monitoring plans.
• Oversee study-level safety surveillance, including adverse events and serious adverse event reporting, data queries, blinded safety review, and escalation of emerging concerns.
• Support international investigator meetings and national activities.
• Prepare and approve Clinical Study Reports with the Global Clinical Head, including the Introduction, Results, and Discussion sections.
• Identify study risks and propose mitigation strategies for Phase IIb, Phase III, Phase IV, and life-cycle management studies.

Essential qualifications

• M.B.B.S., M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent medical or scientific qualification.
• At least 5-8 years of relevant clinical development experience, including study design, protocol development, trial implementation, monitoring, data interpretation, and reporting.
• Experience in clinical development and working within cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of biostatistics, global regulatory requirements, pharmacovigilance, GCP, and clinical trial safety.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, teamwork, and influencing skills.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
• Strong presentation and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively across global teams and travel as required.

Preferred experience

• Expertise in CVRM nephrology, cardiology, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, obesity, metabolic disease, NASH, or MASH.
• Experience with Phase IIb, Phase III, Phase IV, outcomes, or life-cycle management studies.
• Understanding of pharmaceutical R&D milestones and the interaction between clinical, commercial, regulatory, safety, market access, pricing, and value objectives.
• Experience with regulatory submissions, publications, congress presentations, investigator-initiated studies, or external alliance partnerships.
• Experience contributing to labelling, payer evidence, or commercial medical strategies.

Key success factors

• Scientific credibility: Applies strong clinical expertise and sound judgment.
• Collaborative leadership: Builds trust and works effectively across functions, cultures, and geographies.
• Patient focus: Prioritizes patient safety, ethical conduct, and meaningful outcomes.
• Analytical rigor: Interprets data objectively and communicates clear, balanced conclusions.
• Agility: Responds effectively to changing scientific, operational, and regulatory needs.
• External influence: Builds effective relationships with regulators, investigators, medical experts, payers, and partners.
• AstraZeneca values: Demonstrates integrity, courage, curiosity, collaboration, and accountability.

Compensation and working environment.

The annual base salary range is $288,059 to $432,088 annually USD, depending on factors including location, skills, experience, and qualifications. The role may also be eligible for a short-term incentive bonus and equity-based long-term incentive program, subject to applicable terms.

AstraZeneca’s Gaithersburg site offers a collaborative and inclusive workplace, with amenities including gym access, networking events, lunch-and-learn sessions, and a sustainable office environment. Employees work from the office a minimum of three days per week, subject to role requirements and applicable arrangements.

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca, we follow science to develop life-changing medicines. We bring diverse teams together, encourage bold thinking, and create opportunities to make a meaningful difference for patients worldwide.

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, inclusion, and professional development.

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.