Associate Director, Congress Strategy at AstraZeneca · Gaithersb…

Associate Director, Congress Strategy
Location: US - Gaithersburg - MD
As Associate Director, Strategic Precision Medicine Launches, you will play a critical role in driving the commercialization success of AstraZeneca's highest-priority precision medicine assets. Reporting to the Sr. Director, Precision Medicine Marketing, this position will lead the development and execution of integrated precision medicine strategies for designated Gold-tier launches, ensuring diagnostic readiness, biomarker adoption, and successful patient identification at launch and beyond.
Working in close partnership with Global Diagnostics, Brand Marketing, Medical Affairs, Insights & Analytics, Access, Sales and Non-Sales Field Teams, as well as external diagnostic and laboratory partners, this individual will be responsible for developing and implementing cross-functional precision medicine plans that support launch excellence across multiple oncology indications.
The Associate Director will serve as a key leader in preparing diagnostic ecosystems, enabling biomarker adoption, identifying barriers to patient identification, and ensuring launch readiness for some of AstraZeneca's most strategically important oncology assets.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Launch Leadership
Serve as the Precision Medicine Marketing lead for designated Gold-priority launch assets.
Develop and execute integrated precision medicine strategies that support successful launch planning, diagnostic readiness, and commercial execution.
Partner with brand teams to ensure biomarker considerations are incorporated into launch strategy, customer engagement planning, forecasting, and market development activities.
Build comprehensive launch readiness plans that address testing adoption, patient identification, laboratory preparedness, and stakeholder engagement.
Diagnostic & Biomarker Strategy
Develop launch-specific diagnostic plans aligned with global and US brand objectives.
Identify and address barriers to biomarker testing adoption, diagnostic access, and utilization across the patient identification journey.
Monitor biomarker testing performance, market dynamics, competitive developments, and diagnostic trends to generate actionable insights.
Partner with Global Diagnostics and companion diagnostic teams to support assay readiness, testing implementation, and market preparation activities.
Cross-Functional Leadership
Lead cross-functional precision medicine workstreams involving Brand, Medical, Access, Field Teams, Insights & Analytics, Market Research, and Commercial Excellence partners.
Influence strategic decisions through data-driven recommendations and customer insights.
Coordinate launch-related precision medicine activities across internal teams and external stakeholders.
Drive alignment between global and US initiatives to maximize impact and execution efficiency.
Portfolio & Business Planning
Support annual brand planning and portfolio prioritization processes.
Assess emerging opportunities and risks related to testing adoption, diagnostic access, and patient identification.
Contribute to forecasting, market development planning, and launch investment decisions.
Share best practices and lessons learned across strategic launch assets to improve organizational effectiveness.
Compliance & Governance
Ensure all activities are conducted in accordance with AstraZeneca policies, Code of Ethics, SOPs, and applicable regulatory requirements.
Maintain high standards of scientific integrity, compliance, and patient-centered execution.
Essential Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Healthcare, Marketing, Business, or related field.
Minimum of 6 years of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, diagnostics, or healthcare marketing experience.
At least 2 years of diagnostics, biomarker, precision medicine, or laboratory-focused marketing experience.
Experience supporting product launches and commercialization activities in the US market.
Demonstrated success leading cross-functional projects across complex stakeholder groups.
Experience developing strategic marketing plans and executing tactical initiatives.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate insights into meaningful business recommendations.
Excellent communication, presentation, collaboration, and project management skills.
Proven ability to influence without authority in a matrix environment.
Preferred Qualifications
MBA, MS, PharmD, PhD, or other advanced degree.
Oncology marketing experience within pharmaceutical or biotechnology organizations.
Experience with companion diagnostics, molecular testing, pathology, or precision medicine commercialization.
Experience supporting launch brands or pipeline assets.
Sales or customer-facing experience interacting with healthcare professionals, laboratories, pathology stakeholders, or health systems.
Experience utilizing data, analytics, customer insights, and digital tools to inform strategic decisions.
Familiarity with laboratory workflows, biomarker testing ecosystems, and patient identification strategies.
Leadership Expectations
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
Strategic thinking and a strong commercial mindset.
Ability to navigate ambiguity and lead through complexity.
Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills.
Launch excellence with a focus on execution and results.
Customer-centric decision making.
A passion for advancing precision medicine and improving outcomes for cancer patients.
Scope of Responsibility
The Associate Director, Strategic Precision Medicine Launches will support a portfolio of AstraZeneca's highest-priority precision medicine assets, potentially including programs such as SERENA-6, SAFFRON, CLARITY Gastric-01, DESTINY-Endometrial01, DESTINY-Breast11, and other Gold-tier launch opportunities, ensuring successful patient identification, diagnostic readiness, and commercialization success across the portfolio.
The annual base pay for this position ranges from $193,800 to $290,800. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. 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 (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included 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.
Date Posted
25-Aug-2026
Closing Date
07-Sept-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.