Job Description

At AstraZeneca, we believe in the potential of our people and we'll develop you beyond what you thought possible. We make the most of your skills and passion by actively supporting you to see what you can achieve no matter where you start with us. As

Diagnostic Leader,

you will set sets the long-term, cross-therapy vision and integrated strategy for Diagnostics across the business unit, driving innovation, high-level capability building, and policy shaping to maximize patient care and business value. This role shapes and executes diagnostics strategy within assigned therapeutic area(s), translating high-level objectives into actionable plans and leading operational and cross-functional excellence.

ABOUT ASTRAZENECA

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven BioPharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world's most serious disease. But we're more than one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies.


Part of a global leading pharmaceutical, we're proud of our heritage and where we're heading - AstraZeneca's exponential growth and unrivalled success in our international markets. Our pipeline keeps us leading the way and provides us with stability to build a long-term commitment. It fuels us every day - by realising our pipeline we're addressing huge unmet needs and unserved patients. It's rewarding and inspiring.

What you'll do:

Develop, own, and continually refine a cross-therapy diagnostics strategy in alignment with both global direction and local market needs. Lead the strategic planning process for all actionable diagnostics-related activities, identifying long-term priorities for resource investment, scientific focus, and operational infrastructure. Forge and nurture strategic collaborations with external stakeholders, with direct engagement and partnership-building among pathologists, scientific officers, molecular biologists, medical leadership, industry bodies, regulators, and external scientific partners. Collaborate closely with medical, commercial, and R&D teams to ensure diagnostics projects are integrated with broader therapy objectives. Champion diagnostics needs and innovations in high-level forums (internal leadership, MOH, industry, societies), directly influencing policy, reimbursement, and the external diagnostic ecosystem. Drive the implementation of diagnostics projects across the therapy area, ensuring timelines, budgets, and scientific standards are met. Monitor and evaluate project progress, collect comprehensive data, and ensure that lab and scientific stakeholder insights are systematically used for operational and strategic optimization. Lead efforts in evidence generation and reporting, contributing to publications, best practice development, and strategy adaptation that enhance diagnostics' clinical and business value. Define, cascade, and track KPIs and performance metrics, leveraging insights from both internal teams and external key scientific leaders, and use this data to inform forward planning and continuous improvement. Shape organizational capability, by recruiting, developing, and mentoring Diagnostic Managers and field teams, and ensuring robust succession planning. Collaborate with KEEs on study proposals (ESR), AZ Study and/or publications of interest to AstraZeneca. Serve as a role model for compliance, scientific quality throughout the organization. Foster a collaborative, high-performance and future focused culture on patient impact and scientific excellence within the therapy area. Ensure the optimal environment for the field medical team development, growth, and high performance if applicable. Mentor and coach Diagnostic Liaisons, promoting knowledge-sharing, skills-building, and professional development that keeps the field force agile and effective. Accountable for designing, launching, and steering holistic diagnostics strategy across ALL therapy areas and geographies in the business unit. Directs multi-year diagnostics roadmaps that set the direction for downstream operational, scientific, and commercial success. Makes the determining call on resource prioritization and capability development across therapy areas in alignment with patient needs, market evolution, and global AZ goals. Has authority to advocate at the regional/national policy level and to forge strategic partnerships with key external and internal leaders. Directly influences the ecosystem (including hospitals, labs, policymakers) regarding diagnostics standards, reimbursement, and innovation adoption. Acts as the external face of the Diagnostics organization in senior industry, regulatory, and scientific networks, cultivating relationships with pathologists, scientific officers, molecular biologists, and key opinion leaders. Sets a culture of scientific rigor, operational agility, collaboration, and succession planning within the diagnostics team.

Essential Skills & Experience:

Advanced degree (PhD, MD, MSc, or equivalent) in life sciences. 10+ years in diagnostics/medical affairs. Demonstrated market shaping and policy impact. Cross-functional, senior stakeholder leadership. Well-versed in global trends, technologies, and future diagnostics landscape (digital, molecular, regulatory).Therapy Area Strategic Planning: Designs and delivers relevant strategy. Strategic Leadership & Vision (above Therapy Area): Develops complex strategies with broad impact. Change Agility & Large-Scale Collaboration: Leads transformation and high-level partnerships. External Impact & Policy Influence: Engages and shapes industry/policy agendas. Advanced Analytical Insight: Applies enterprise-level data and forecasting. Sustained Execution Excellence: Ensures portfolio-wide effectiveness.

Desirable Requirements:

Doctoral degree in a scientific discipline (e.g. M.D., Ph.D., Pharm.D.) Extensive knowledge of the latest technical and regulatory developments Innovative and solution-oriented mindset Experience with basic research, drug discovery and development and drug lifecycle management. Ecosystem scaled project experience

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.

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.*

Where can I find out more?

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