Salary
Competitive + Excellent Benefits
Location
Cambridge UK
Position
Director, Global Medical Ethics
Job Overview
As Director, Global Medical Ethics, you will act as the Global Nominated Signatory providing medical governance authority for designated therapeutic areas, driving compliant, ethical, and innovative global activities across the Oncology (OBU) Business Unit. This role demands a dynamic, proactive leader who can navigate the rapidly evolving pharmaceutical landscape including emerging AI technologies, shifting regulatory frameworks, and increasing digital and diagnostic complexities while maintaining the highest standards of medical quality. You will empower global teams through expert guidance, strategic foresight, and decisive leadership, ensuring AstraZeneca remains at the forefront of responsible innovation.
Accountabilities/Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Medical Governance
* Act as Global Nominated Signatory, providing expert advisory consultation on promotional and non-promotional activities from concept through to execution, and reviewing/approving global materials to ensure alignment with AstraZeneca policies, regulatory requirements, and ethical standards.
* Proactively engage closely with commercial and medical teams to understand business strategy and priorities to plan ahead, ensure alignment and effective execution.
* Navigate complex global matrix relationships, expertly managing multiple stakeholders while maintaining clarity and driving alignment. Influence decisions at all levels, from brand teams to senior leadership, leveraging credibility and strategic thinking.
* Lead the AstraZeneca approach and tone for medical standards within the designated therapy area, embedding compliance as an integral business enabler while actively fostering innovation and creativity through deep regulatory expertise that removes unnecessary barriers.
Medical & Medicines Regulations Expertise
* Subject matter expert on regulations pertaining to medical and promotional regulatory affairs.
* Deliver medical review grounded in current evidence and therapeutic expertise.
* Continuously develop and apply deep medical knowledge across assigned therapy areas, including (but not limited to) disease state understanding, treatment paradigms, and clinical trial understanding.
* Understand the evolving external environment including regulation updates, industry trends, competitive dynamics, technological innovation, and evolving stakeholder needs (healthcare professionals, patients, advocacy groups).
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Training
* Support flawless execution of global activities in local markets and seamless congress operations through close collaboration with global and local teams.
* Work cross-functionally with Compliance, Legal, and other key stakeholders to develop and implement policy interpretations and guidance on complex, innovative, or controversial compliance and ethics issues.
* Deliver impactful global-local training to drive understanding of regulations across promotional/non-promotional activities and its application, and build an empowered global network.
* Champion best practices, share learnings, and drive consistency in decision-making across both Oncology and Biopharma Global Medical Ethics teams.
Risk Management & Complaint Handling
* Identify and discuss systemic issues proactively and implement preventive solutions that strengthen quality standards while accelerating business objectives.
* Provide expert support in preparing cases for challenge, defence of activities/materials, and intercompany dialogue.
Innovation & Operational Excellence
* Leverage AI tools to bring efficiencies and simplifications, augmenting work processes and driving innovation.
* Build AI capability and knowledge across the team and broader organisation, fostering a culture of continuous learning and digital transformation.
Minimum Requirements
Qualifications & Experience
* Medical qualification or UK-registered pharmacist qualification with significant pharmaceutical industry experience, including medical affairs and as a signatory.
* Proven track record in Oncology therapy areas (preferred) with strong scientific understanding and product launch experience.
* Demonstrated success in cross-functional collaboration ideally within global/regional roles, managing multiple stakeholders and influencing at all organisational levels.
* Deep knowledge of international medical compliance legislation, codes of practice (UK ABPI, EFPIA, IFPMA), and their practical application.
* Understanding of the pharmaceutical industry regulatory and political environment.
* Corporate governance knowledge and experience (preferred).
Skills And Capabilities
Ethical Leadership & Decision-Making
* High ethical standards. An understanding of ethical decision-making processes and an ability to discuss ethical and regulatory issues with credibility and authority.
* Demonstrates courage in addressing underlying issues that prevent effective decision-making.
Strategic Thinking & Problem-Solving
* Strong strategic thinking ability with innovative and creative approaches to complex problem-solving.
* Confidence to make sound decisions in ambiguous situations where there is no certain right or wrong answer.
* Uses deep insight to identify opportunities and develop solutions that impact beyond immediate role or function.
Influence & Stakeholder Management
* Exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills with demonstrated ability to influence and lead change across the organization.
* Effectively challenges the business and positions compliance appropriately to influence decisions, adopting a solution‑oriented approach focused on business enablement.
* Considers and manages needs of multiple stakeholders in decision‑making and planning.
* Works across boundaries to establish common purpose and goals that deliver value.
Communication & Clarity
* Excellent communication and presentation skills with ability to create clarity for others to make decisions.
Independence & Analytical Capability
* Strong independence, credibility, and proactive mindset with ability to work on own initiative and within results‑oriented team environments.
Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.
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