Why choose AstraZeneca Portugal?
As an exciting and emerging leader in pharma and biotech, we're pushing the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines to patients. This is where breakthroughs born in the lab become transformative medicine for the world's most complex diseases. Voted the best company to work for in Portugal 2023/24, AstraZeneca provides the thrill of a start-up within the security of a global firm that brings new challenges and pathways for a fulfilling career.
If you’re ready to make a difference, join our Global Hub in Corporate Affairs, Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, Marketing, Global Business Services or Procurement. Bring your potential to our evolving team today.
Who do we look for?
Calling all dynamic, ambitious team players. At AstraZeneca, we empower people like you to push the boundaries of science, challenge convention and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. Here, you'll embrace differences and take bold actions to drive the change needed to meet global healthcare and sustainability challenges.
We're on the lookout for diverse minds inspired by difference who want to reach another level in their careers. Bold disrupters who confidently rise to challenges as fearless entrepreneurs. People who want to make a meaningful impact led by science in an organisation where global meets local. Join one of our offices in Lisbon and discover a culture of openness and vibrancy where diverse perspectives are encouraged and valued. Your work will have a real impact, no matter your level or function.
Success Profile
Ready to make an impact in your career? If you're passionate, growth-orientated and a true team player, we'll help you succeed. Here are some of the skills and capabilities we look for.
Tech innovators
Make a greater impact through our digitally enabled enterprise. If you're technology-savvy and have a digital mindset, you can use your skills and experience to transform and optimise our operations, helping us deliver meaningful work that changes lives.
Dynamic
In a constantly evolving environment dedicated to innovation, you'll use your strong sense of purpose to provide outstanding contributions. Although we're a global company, our Global Hub operates like a start-up, allowing you to work autonomously. Bring your fearlessness of improving patient outcomes, and we'll encourage your personal success.
Ambitious
Play your part in progressing a world-leading pipeline. Here, you'll improve patients' lives now and better the future of humanity. With our opportunities for continuous development, you'll exhibit your passion and potential to go beyond the expected — and grow in your career with our support.
Team players
Your unique perspectives make our ambitions and capabilities possible. Our culture of openness, sharing and giving allows everyone to speak up and express their ideas. In an open atmosphere of camaraderie and support, we rely on each other to further our progress and drive much-needed change.
Responsibilities
Shape the future of science with AstraZeneca! We are a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company transforming ideas into life-changing medicines. In Portugal, our purpose is to advance clinical practice and reduce the burden of chronic diseases and cancer by facilitating patient access to innovation—raising awareness, supporting early identification of symptoms, and helping implement treatments aligned to best evidence and medical guidelines.
As Head of Medical Innovation and Scientific Strategic Partnerships, you will be a scientific and business leader driving sustainable medical solutions across the local healthcare ecosystem. Grounded in a deep understanding of the environment, you will build and sustain impactful partnerships that improve patient care and accelerate pathways—from identification and referral to management—while contributing to AstraZeneca’s mission and outcomes for patients.
You will collaborate at an evidence-based level with cross-functional AstraZeneca teams, healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses, pharmacists, community HCPs), healthcare decision-makers, and other stakeholders to create long-term strategic partnerships and optimize care where it matters most. The role reports to the Medical & Regulatory Affairs Director and is part of the country Medical Leadership Team.
Accountabilities
In this pivotal role, you will:
- Build enterprise-wide scientific strategies and long-term medical partnerships with the healthcare ecosystem, collaborating with therapeutic area and cross-functional teams to transform care.
- Partner with internal teams to deliver strategy-aligned policy evidence, ensuring flagship research projects align with AstraZeneca’s ambition and external narrative.
- Embed innovation into core medical processes by defining ambitious KPIs, governance frameworks, and medical impact indicators.
- Design and deliver value-based projects addressing healthcare ecosystem needs from concept to scale, improving impact on health outcomes.
- Provide deep insight into emerging trends in science and healthcare, anticipating future disruptions and embedding them into critical initiatives.
- Advise and support local cross-functional teams on the eligibility, scalability, and sustainability of Transform Care projects, focusing on early patient identification, referral, and GDMT implementation.
- Lead enterprise-wide medical transformation initiatives and act as a change agent — fostering curiosity, experimentation, and agility.
Essential Skills/Experience
- PhD or equivalent experience, Master’s degree in Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences or Life Sciences
- Proven experience in the pharmaceutical industry (medical/scientific/innovation roles) or healthcare systems with outstanding project tracking improving healthcare delivery.
- High-level of familiarity with the national healthcare agenda, health information systems, interoperability and real-world evidence.
- Strong knowledge of healthcare ecosystem dynamics and innovation drivers of healthcare and medical science.
- Up to date understanding of innovation trends, digital health best practice and value-based healthcare.
- Robust knowledge of agile methodologies, service design, design thinking or user centred innovation.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Proven robust ability to work in a cross functional environment and to manage a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Very good spoken and written English.
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.
AstraZeneca offers a dynamic environment where you can be at the forefront of healthcare innovation. With opportunities for growth and development, we leverage our unique position as medical leaders to shape the future of healthcare. Our collaborative approach ensures that we make a meaningful impact on patients' lives while supporting your personal growth. Here, new experiences are encouraged, making it an inspiring place to work every day.
Ready to make a difference? Apply now to join our thriving team!
Date Posted
15-Dec-2025Closing Date
03-Jan-2026AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.
Reasons to Join
Thomas Mathisen
There are many things I enjoy when working at AstraZeneca, mainly the Speak up culture, the great colleagues that are in my teams, the great products that AstraZeneca provides to our patients and the challenging conversations I have around our medicines.
Christine Recchio
Working at AstraZeneca has impacted my life in such a positive way. I now have an improved work-life balance through creating my own schedule and time management, I feel a balance that I didn’t have before.
Stephanie Ling
There are a lot of reasons why I enjoy working in AstraZeneca, my colleagues being one of them. My team members and the managers have provided a great deal of guidance in helping me to be more confident in my daily work.
What we offer
We're driven by our shared values of serving people, society and the planet. Our people make this possible, which is why we prioritise diversity, safety, empowerment and collaboration. Discover what a career at AstraZeneca could mean for you.
Aligned to performance
Our approach is designed to deliver great performance — stimulating our commercial growth, scientific advancement, collaboration and personal development. Never standing still, you'll have the chance to grow your abilities, skills and knowledge constantly as you accelerate your career.
Balanced
An energised work environment is only possible when our people have a healthy work-life balance and are supported for their individual needs. Typical benefits include healthcare, life insurance and long-term savings, and in many markets, there’s a range of benefits for you to tailor.
Holistic
We're at our best and most creative when drawing on our different views, experiences and strengths. Being valued for who you are and the difference you bring is at the heart of our culture — and you’ll be rewarded when you create authentic connections to our purpose.
Sustainable
Our two offices in Lisbon combine comfort with sustainability. From renewable energy, a zero-plastic scheme, electric vehicles and food waste reduction initiatives to sustainable reward practices, we're realising our ambition to harness the power of science to build a healthy future for everyone everywhere.
Join our Talent Network
Be the first to receive job updates and news from AstraZeneca
Sign up
