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Associate Director, Diagnostic Partnerships, Oncology Business Unit

Location Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States Job ID R-235051 Date posted 10/09/2025

Associate Director, Diagnostic Partnerships, Oncology Business Unit

Introduction to role

Are you ready to make a significant impact in the world of oncology diagnostics? As the Associate Director, Diagnostic Partnerships within the Oncology Business Unit, you will play a pivotal role in delivering the Global Diagnostics (GDx) mission of shaping the patient testing landscape and ensuring no patient is left behind. Reporting to the Senior Director, Diagnostic Partnerships, you will lead key partnership activities within GDx; your expertise will be crucial in refining business needs, engaging with prospective diagnostic partners, and collaborating on scoping, negotiation, and deal closure. Are you prepared to take on this challenge and lead strategic initiatives that deliver diagnostic solutions in-market?

Accountabilities

  • Direct GDx projects towards meeting business requirements, fitting into overarching strategies taking into account cost, quality and timeline requirements.
  • Develop and manage relationships with external diagnostic partners and potential partners in a compliant and professional manner, ensuring AstraZeneca is regarded as a partner of choice by third parties.
  • Work with Business Development colleagues in the negotiation, contracting and deal-closing processes for enterprise-wide agreements.
  • Lead execution of specific schedules of work and agreements according to project needs, owning deal processes and aligning with cross-functional colleagues to achieve the same.
  • Participate in international, multifunctional teams for the technical, commercial and corporate evaluation of diagnostic partnership opportunities and their execution into the market.
  • Ensure that diagnostic partnering opportunities are evaluated thoroughly and objectively with ownership of certain due diligence processes.
  • Present partnering opportunities to the oncology business effectively and efficiently.
  • Establish external and internal networks to ensure early identification and capture of relevant opportunities and efficient delivery of partnership projects.
  • Represent the OBU Diagnostic function at key external scientific congresses as part of searching for and identifying opportunities and building relationships with partners.
  • Work collaboratively and flexibly to accommodate the various routes through which projects of different natures may arise, including alongside given Global Diagnostic Marketing colleagues to identify in-market diagnostic solution needs.
  • Actively contribute and collaborate with the broader diagnostics team to provide diagnostic inputs and solutions into the wider Oncology Business Unit for given projects.
  • Interpret and synthesis data gathered from 3rd parties, desk sources and internal AZ knowledge in building business cases for partnerships.
  • Ensure post deal activities are fully completed and optimal handover of solutions to Global and Market colleagues for implementation.
  • Prepare activity and achievement reports for senior management and feed into OBU updates as appropriate.
  • Positively develop, manage and maintain stakeholder relationships with senior OBU colleagues, BDO, Legal, Compliance, Market diagnostic teams, Precision Medicine, and other cross-functional colleagues as needed.

Essential Skills/Experience

  • Post-graduate level education in a relevant subject (e.g. Masters/MBA/MSc or above)
  • Relevant consulting, strategy, business development and/or pharma/diagnostic partnership experience
  • Knowledge of pharmaceutical and diagnostic company businesses, processes and activities
  • Knowledge of scientific, commercial and financial evaluation techniques
  • An understanding of governance procedures relevant to deal progression and business development work (CDAs, agreement structures, delegation of authorities, due diligence processes, etc.)
  • Analytical skills and ability to ascertain the relevant issues from large masses of information
  • Interpersonal and teamwork skills, demonstrating flexibility and a proven ability to deal with complexity under time pressure
  • Experience and effectiveness in the presentation of written and oral business cases to senior management
  • Numerate and having financial literacy, excellent spoken and written English
  • Tenacity and resourcefulness, an ability to demonstrate leadership under sustained pressure
  • A flexible, team orientated attitude, willing to contribute own skills to deliver priority projects

Desirable Skills/Experience

  • Experience through education or work in a relevant area of oncology diagnostics, providing credibility to scientific audiences
  • Experience in multiple, large, international, multi-functional project teams of professionals to deliver to time, cost and quality
  • Experience of diagnostics commercialisation and launch working with third party companies
  • Experience with academic and commercial oncology testing laboratories and contracting
  • A working understanding of diagnostic regulatory frameworks worldwide
  • Understanding of various complex in-market needs for novel oncology diagnostics
  • Knowledge of alternative deal structures and legal principles applicable to a range of deal types
  • Negotiation skills and experience of working in a deal environment
  • Good knowledge of disease areas, and drug/diagnostic development activities and commercial processes
  • Existing deep diagnostic scientific knowledge and an established external network is an advantage

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $ 192,364 - 230,836.80 USD. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program. Benefits offered include a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Why Astrazeneca?

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.

At AstraZeneca, we are driven by a bold ambition to eliminate cancer as a cause of death. Our relentless pursuit of scientific excellence challenges the status quo to deliver more effective treatments for patients. With a game-changing pipeline backed by pioneering research, we are transforming cancer care through precision medicine. Our entrepreneurial spirit fosters collaboration across diverse teams, empowering us to redefine cancer treatment. Join us on this exciting journey where your contributions can make a real difference.

Ready to take on this exciting challenge? Apply now to join our team!

Date Posted

11-Sept-2025

Closing Date

24-Sept-2025

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.

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