Executive Director, Multimodal & Minimally Invasive Biomarker Strategy

As Executive Director, Multimodal & Minimally Invasive Biomarker Strategy you will… Define Enterprise Strategy and Drive Portfolio Impact Establish enterprise strategy for minimally invasive and multimodal biomarkers, with emphasis on ctDNA across tumor-naïve and tumor-informed approaches Build decision frameworks that guide when these approaches should and should not be used, ensuring consistent application and demonstrable ROI across programs Develop approaches that enable comparability, reuse, and learning across studies Define and track metrics that demonstrate value: impact on decision-making, timelines, and development efficiency Enable Critical Development Decisions Partner with Translational Medicine to align biomarker strategies with development plans and influence key decisions: go/no-go, dose selection, and patient selection Guide development of ctDNA monitoring strategies that assess target engagement, depth and durability of response, and emergence of resistance, contributing to molecular response endpoints that complement or extend traditional radiographic endpoints Articulate and defend biomarker strategies in governance discussions with senior leadership Lead Multimodal Integration and Cross-Functional Collaboration Drive collaboration across BST functions (Translational Pathology, Radiology and Theranostics, Translational Proteomics, and Biosamples) to integrate blood-based, tissue, and imaging biomarkers and build a unified view of patient biology Advance approaches that move from exploratory multimodal datasets toward focused, scalable, deployable solutions Build and Develop High-Performing Teams Lead and develop team of scientists and strategists across career levels, from early-career scientists to senior directors Set strategic priorities, ensure alignment with portfolio needs and enterprise strategy, and build capability in both scientific depth and systems-level thinking Foster culture of accountability, collaboration, and scientific rigor with focus on measurable outcomes Drive Technology Strategy and Strategic Partnerships Evaluate emerging technologies based on ability to inform development decisions and scale across the portfolio Lead engagement with external partners and vendors: selection, performance management, and negotiation of multi-year agreements Ensure technology investments support a coherent platform approach rather than fragmented adoption Establish Operational Excellence and Regulatory Strategy Establish standardized, scalable approach to minimally invasive biomarkers while allowing appropriate program flexibility, and build systems that enable portfolio-level learning and continuous improvement Collaborate with Precision Diagnostic Development to translate research biomarkers into regulated companion diagnostics, incorporating regulatory requirements and diagnostic feasibility from inception Lead strategic discussions with regulatory authorities on novel biomarker approaches and qualification pathways Required Education, Experience & Skills Essential PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in molecular biology, cancer biology, genomics, or related scientific discipline 15+ years of progressive experience in oncology biomarker development with demonstrated advancement into senior leadership roles Deep experience with ctDNA and other minimally invasive biomarker approaches, including understanding of different technologies, their appropriate use, and their application across tumor-naïve and tumor-informed strategies Proven ability to develop decision frameworks and establish when biomarker approaches should and should not be used, with track record of demonstrable ROI Demonstrated success connecting biomarker strategy to clinical development and influencing major development decisions at the portfolio level (go/no-go, dose selection, patient selection) Experience working in complex, matrixed environments and influencing across functions and senior leadership levels without direct authority Track record of building and leading high-performing teams across multiple career levels, with focus on developing both scientific depth and systems-level thinking Experience developing approaches that enable reuse and learning across multiple programs rather than one-off implementations Proven ability to articulate and defend complex scientific strategies in governance discussions with senior leadership Executive-level communication skills with ability to engage audiences from bench scientists to C-suite leadership and regulatory authorities Experience managing strategic vendor relationships, negotiating multi-year agreements, and ensuring technology investments support coherent platform approaches Demonstrated ability to build systems that enable portfolio-level learning and continuous improvement Desirable Experience translating biomarkers into regulated diagnostics such as companion diagnostics, with understanding of regulatory requirements from inception through approval Familiarity with diagnostic development and regulatory frameworks (FDA, EMA, PMDA) and experience leading strategic discussions with regulatory authorities Experience with multimodal data integration across tissue, blood, and imaging modalities to build unified views of patient biology Experience with AI/ML applications and computational approaches in biomarker development Broad experience across tumor types (lung, breast, GI, bladder, etc.) and therapeutic modalities (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, ADCs) Experience developing molecular response endpoints that complement or extend traditional radiographic endpoints External scientific visibility through high-impact publications or presentations at major conferences Experience contributing to organizational or strategic transformation initiatives Track record of establishing standardized, scalable approaches while maintaining appropriate program flexibility Experience positioning organizations as preferred partners with leading diagnostic providers When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world. This role is suited for a leader who wants to move beyond individual biomarker strategies and build a more consistent and scalable approach that improves how decisions are made across the oncology portfolio. Are you ready to make a difference? Apply today! Great People want to Work with us! Find out why… GTAA Top Employer Award for 10 years Top 100 Employers Award Canada's Most Admired Corporate Culture Learn more about working with us in Canada View our YouTube channel Are you interested in working at AZ, apply today! AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination. AstraZeneca is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Such accommodation is available on request in respect of all aspects of the recruitment, assessment and selection process and may be requested by emailing AZCHumanResources@astrazeneca.com. Follow the science and pioneer new frontiers. Join the team dedicated to Oncology, with an ambition to eliminate cancer as a cause of death. It's our big vision that unites and inspires us. With multiple indications and high-quality molecules at all stages of our innovative pipeline, we keep pushing forward. This is a senior leadership position within Biomarker Sciences and Technologies (BST), responsible for defining how minimally invasive and multimodal biomarkers are used across AstraZeneca's oncology portfolio to inform development decisions and improve patient care. BST integrates patient samples, imaging, and biological data to enable better development decisions. This executive director role establishes how blood-based and other minimally invasive approaches are applied across programs as a coherent system which informs patient selection, deepens our understanding of mechanism of drug action and resistance, and establishes new clinical endpoints based on molecular response. You will lead a team of scientists and strategists, building and implementing a scalable, reusable approach to minimally invasive biomarkers across the portfolio. The focus extends beyond advancing technologies to ensuring they consistently influence development decisions and can be translated into clinical practice. As Executive Director, Multimodal & Minimally Invasive Biomarker Strategy you will… Define Enterprise Strategy and Drive Portfolio Impact Establish enterprise strategy for minimally invasive and multimodal biomarkers, with emphasis on ctDNA across tumor-naïve and tumor-informed approaches Build decision frameworks that guide when these approaches should and should not be used, ensuring consistent application and demonstrable ROI across programs Develop approaches that enable comparability, reuse, and learning across studies Define and track metrics that demonstrate value: impact on decision-making, timelines, and development efficiency Enable Critical Development Decisions Partner with Translational Medicine to align biomarker strategies with development plans and influence key decisions: go/no-go, dose selection, and patient selection Guide development of ctDNA monitoring strategies that assess target engagement, depth and durability of response, and emergence of resistance, contributing to molecular response endpoints that complement or extend traditional radiographic endpoints Articulate and defend biomarker strategies in governance discussions with senior leadership Lead Multimodal Integration and Cross-Functional Collaboration Drive collaboration across BST functions (Translational Pathology, Radiology and Theranostics, Translational Proteomics, and Biosamples) to integrate blood-based, tissue, and imaging biomarkers and build a unified view of patient biology Advance approaches that move from exploratory multimodal datasets toward focused, scalable, deployable solutions Build and Develop High-Performing Teams Lead and develop team of scientists and strategists across career levels, from early-career scientists to senior directors Set strategic priorities, ensure alignment with portfolio needs and enterprise strategy, and build capability in both scientific depth and systems-level thinking Foster culture of accountability, collaboration, and scientific rigor with focus on measurable outcomes Drive Technology Strategy and Strategic Partnerships Evaluate emerging technologies based on ability to inform development decisions and scale across the portfolio Lead engagement with external partners and vendors: selection, performance management, and negotiation of multi-year agreements Ensure technology investments support a coherent platform approach rather than fragmented adoption Establish Operational Excellence and Regulatory Strategy Establish standardized, scalable approach to minimally invasive biomarkers while allowing appropriate program flexibility, and build systems that enable portfolio-level learning and continuous improvement Collaborate with Precision Diagnostic Development to translate research biomarkers into regulated companion diagnostics, incorporating regulatory requirements and diagnostic feasibility from inception Lead strategic discussions with regulatory authorities on novel biomarker approaches and qualification pathways Required Education, Experience & Skills Essential PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in molecular biology, cancer biology, genomics, or related scientific discipline 15+ years of progressive experience in oncology biomarker development with demonstrated advancement into senior leadership roles Deep experience with ctDNA and other minimally invasive biomarker approaches, including understanding of different technologies, their appropriate use, and their application across tumor-naïve and tumor-informed strategies Proven ability to develop decision frameworks and establish when biomarker approaches should and should not be used, with track record of demonstrable ROI Demonstrated success connecting biomarker strategy to clinical development and influencing major development decisions at the portfolio level (go/no-go, dose selection, patient selection) Experience working in complex, matrixed environments and influencing across functions and senior leadership levels without direct authority Track record of building and leading high-performing teams across multiple career levels, with focus on developing both scientific depth and systems-level thinking Experience developing approaches that enable reuse and learning across multiple programs rather than one-off implementations Proven ability to articulate and defend complex scientific strategies in governance discussions with senior leadership Executive-level communication skills with ability to engage audiences from bench scientists to C-suite leadership and regulatory authorities Experience managing strategic vendor relationships, negotiating multi-year agreements, and ensuring technology investments support coherent platform approaches Demonstrated ability to build systems that enable portfolio-level learning and continuous improvement Desirable Experience translating biomarkers into regulated diagnostics such as companion diagnostics, with understanding of regulatory requirements from inception through approval Familiarity with diagnostic development and regulatory frameworks (FDA, EMA, PMDA) and experience leading strategic discussions with regulatory authorities Experience with multimodal data integration across tissue, blood, and imaging modalities to build unified views of patient biology Experience with AI/ML applications and computational approaches in biomarker development Broad experience across tumor types (lung, breast, GI, bladder, etc.) and therapeutic modalities (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, ADCs) Experience developing molecular response endpoints that complement or extend traditional radiographic endpoints External scientific visibility through high-impact publications or presentations at major conferences Experience contributing to organizational or strategic transformation initiatives Track record of establishing standardized, scalable approaches while maintaining appropriate program flexibility Experience positioning organizations as preferred partners with leading diagnostic providers When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world. This role is suited for a leader who wants to move beyond individual biomarker strategies and build a more consistent and scalable approach that improves how decisions are made across the oncology portfolio. Are you ready to make a difference? Apply today! Great People want to Work with us! Find out why… GTAA Top Employer Award for 10 years Top 100 Employers Award Canada's Most Admired Corporate Culture Learn more about working with us in Canada View our YouTube channel Are you interested in working at AZ, apply today! AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination. AstraZeneca is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Such accommodation is available on request in respect of all aspects of the recruitment, assessment and selection process and may be requested by emailing AZCHumanResources@astrazeneca.com. Date Posted 27-abr-2026 Closing Date 14-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. AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company. We focus on discovering, developing and commercialising prescription medicines for some of the world's most serious diseases. But we are more than one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we're dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science, challenge convention and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. To embrace differences and take bold actions to drive the change needed to meet global healthcare and sustainability challenges. There is no better place to make a difference in medicine, patients, and society. An inclusive culture where you will connect different thinking to generate new and valuable opportunities. Where you will find a commitment to lifelong learning, growth and development for all. Our Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) mission is to create an inclusive and equitable environment where people belong, using the power of our diversity to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines to patients. Inclusion and diversity are fundamental to the success of our company, because innovation requires breakthrough ideas that only come from a diverse workforce empowered to challenge conventional thinking. We're curious about science and the advancement of knowledge. We find creative ways to approach new challenges. We're driven to make the right choices and be accountable for our actions. As an organisation centred around what makes us human, we put a big focus on people. Across our business, we want colleagues to wake up excited about their day at the office, in the field, or in the lab. Along with our purpose to bring life-changing medicines to people across the globe, we have a promise to you: to help you realise the full breadth of your potential. Here, you'll do work that has the potential to change your life and improve countless others. And, together with your team, you'll shape a culture that unites and inspires us every day. This is your life at AstraZeneca.