Head of Early Asset, OBU, International Astrazeneca Pharma India Ltd.

Introduction to role:

Are you ready to turn breakthrough science into high impact launches across diverse markets, accelerating access for patients who need new options most? This role sits at the critical junction between discovery and delivery, converting mechanism of action, biomarkers and clinical profiles into clear, value-maximizing pathways that work in the real world.

You will lead how our earliest oncology assets progress from Phase 2 decisions through registration and launch, shaping evidence, access and diagnostic strategies that reflect local standards of care and payer expectations. In a setting that empowers local ownership, you will bring entrepreneurial thinking to complex, fast-moving environments, so that each decision advances both patient outcomes and business performance.

Accountabilities:

• Asset Strategy Ownership: Set the International Oncology asset strategy from Phase 2 decision points through Phase 3 and COMMID, translating mechanism of action, biomarker strategy and clinical profile into viable, value-maximizing launch pathways by market archetype.
• Governance and Influence: Chair the International Oncology Early Asset forum and lead International input to GPTs; provide science-based recommendations into ILT and support LSPC preparations on wave plans, indication sequencing and launch/no launch propositions.
• Decision Frameworks: Own Oncology-specific iLVA policy, criteria, and templates; define explicit no-go thresholds and fast-track pathways to enable timely, data-driven decisions.
• Evidence Strategy and Trial Influence: Shape Phase 3 and registration-enabling program designs to reflect International standards of care, comparators, biomarker prevalence, and subpopulation needs; ensure PROs/HRQoL and other endpoints align with HTA requirements. Co-create and secure execution of an International evidence plan (including RWE, pragmatic studies, EAPs and post-authorization commitments) to address payer and guideline decision drivers in priority markets. Also, anticipate and guide CMC and supply considerations; stability, shelf life, cold chain, pack/label needs, critical to International launch feasibility.
• Market Access and Value Strategy: Co-create pricing, access, and reimbursement strategies with Regional Market Access and HEOR; align on surrogate endpoint acceptance, indirect comparison needs and risk-sharing constructs suitable for emerging and mature markets. Define the International value proposition and clinical narrative by tumor type and line of therapy; ensure payer-ready evidence, economic models and value dossiers are available in line with wave plans.
• Companion Diagnostics Enablement: Co-lead the International CDx strategy regulatory pathways, lab accreditation, assay availability and data integration; direct partnerships with diagnostic companies and lab networks to secure test availability aligned to launch.
• Risk Management and Decision Execution: Maintain a comprehensive risk register across clinical, regulatory, access, CDx, CMC and supply domains; assign owners and mitigation timelines, escalating trade-offs to governance as needed. Conduct scenario planning and sensitivity analyses for wave plans and uptake assumptions; ensure assumptions are reflected in RBU/QBR/ABU planning and supply synchronization.
• International Cross-Functional Leadership & Capability Building: Lead the International Oncology Cross Functional Team (Commercial, Medical, Regulatory, Market Access/HEOR, Diagnostics, CMC/Supply, Finance, Digital); ensure clear accountabilities and delivery against iLVA and wave plan milestones.
• Portfolio Shaping and BD Integration: Evaluate Oncology BD/licensing opportunities for International strategic fit, scientific differentiation and access feasibility; contribute to due diligence and integration planning.
• Therapy Area Strategy: Shape the International Oncology TA strategy with the VP OBU International, including investment prioritization, indication lifecycle planning and post-launch optimization.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Advanced scientific qualification (MD, PhD, or PharmD; strong MSc with extensive Oncology leadership considered)
• Deep Oncology expertise with hands on impact on late-stage strategy (solid tumours and/or hematologic malignancies), including biomarker/CDx strategy and evolving standards of care
• Proven senior leadership integrating science and commercial strategy to influence Phase 3 design, evidence generation and access outcomes across multiple International markets
• Strong command of clinical data interpretation, comparative effectiveness, HEOR principles and RWE methods relevant to HTA/payer decision making in Oncology
• Demonstrated influence at senior governance (GPTs, ILT; LSPC preparation) with a track record of securing alignment on complex, science driven trade-offs
• Exceptional analytical and strategic skills to synthesize ambiguous data, run scenario planning and make decisive recommendations
• Extensive matrix leadership: directing cross functional, above country teams and coaching Oncology capabilities in diverse healthcare systems

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Above country leadership spanning both mature and emerging markets; familiarity with regulatory and HTA archetypes beyond US/EU5
• Experience scaling companion diagnostics (regulatory approvals, lab network enablement, quality systems, data/reporting)
• Established networks with KEEs/guideline contributors and experience with payer/HTA scientific advice
• Experience assessing and integrating Oncology BD assets