AstraZeneca

Business Planning Lead

AstraZeneca$190K — $285K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Life Sciences, or related field
  • 5+ years of pharmaceutical marketing and/or sales experience
  • Deep understanding of pharmaceutical business and operations
  • Proven ability to lead through ambiguity with strategic focus
  • Expertise in strategic planning processes and methodologies
  • Strong analytical skills and ability to influence executives
  • Comprehensive knowledge of budgeting and financial planning
  • Excellent communication and relationship-building skills

Responsibilities

  • Lead as the main business partner for the Franchise Head
  • Plan and implement franchise goals in collaboration with stakeholders
  • Drive strategic planning processes with brand teams
  • Ensure completion of brand strategic planning projects and monitor progress
  • Prepare and present planning outputs to senior leadership
  • Coordinate comprehensive financial planning and sales operations processes
  • Lead operational planning to align with business objectives
  • Act as Project Management champion within the Central Portfolio Management Office
  • Support resource allocation and execution within brand teams
  • Lead and facilitate franchise-level meetings and develop engagement plans

Benefits

  • Eligible for short-term incentive bonuses
  • Participation in equity-based long-term incentive program
  • 401(k) retirement plan
  • Paid vacation and holidays
  • Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage
Full Job Description
Location: Gaithersburg, MD

Hybrid: 3 days a week in office

Key Accountabilities
  • Lead role, aligned to the Franchise Head, serving as business partner and core member of the Franchise Leadership Team. Dotted line reporting into Head of Oncology innovation and business planning.
  • Lead the planning and implementation of franchise goals/scorecard and priorities by collaborating with key internal cross functional stakeholders
  • Drive strategic planning processes by partnering with brand teams to produce, review, and continuously update strategic plans aligned with business objectives.
  • Lead brand strategic planning projects, ensuring key achievements are achieved and progress is monitored against established timelines and deliverables.
  • Prepare comprehensive planning outputs and present strategic recommendations to senior leadership to support critical decision-making processes.
  • Coordinate all financial (budget) planning and processes (HLOP,DLOP, BSP, tactical plan, etc.) as well as sales operations- be the liaison between HO and field in terms of ensuring key deliverables and plan execution.
  • Lead operational planning processes including budgeting, ensuring strategic alignment with broader business objectives, timelines, and resource requirements.
  • Serve as Project Management champion and critical link into Central Portfolio Management Office, providing inputs for accurate demand capture, risk identification and mitigation strategies aligned to US Oncology Scorecard
  • Coordinate portfolio prioritization within brand teams and provide strategic support to therapeutic areas (TAs) for resource allocation and execution of key priorities.
  • Lead the planning and execution of all franchise (FLT/National sales meetings) and above franchise (ONx) level meetings, develop and maintain calendar of key leadership touchpoints throughout the year
  • Develop and lead franchise or functional communications, including weekly update emails, and engagement plan.


Qualifications and Skills

Essential:
  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Life Sciences, or related field
  • 5 + years of pharmaceutical marketing and/or sales experience with deep industry knowledge
  • Comprehensive understanding of pharmaceutical business including commercial operations and drug development processes
  • Shown ability to lead teams through ambiguous situations by providing transparency, structure, and strategic focus
  • Expertise in strategic planning processes, tools, and methodologies
  • Strong strategic thinking, analytical capabilities, and executive influencing skills
  • Sophisticated understanding of forecasting, budgeting, and financial planning processes
  • Excellent project management, communication, and relationship-building skills
  • Cross-functional team leadership experience with stakeholder management capabilities.


Desirable
  • MBA or equivalent advanced degree
  • Senior-level pharmaceutical commercial experience
  • Experience in therapeutic area strategy and portfolio management; Advanced analytics and business intelligence expertise
  • Global pharmaceutical market experience.


The annual base pay for this position ranges from $190,432.80 - $285,649.20 USD Annual 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. 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.

Are you ready to be part of a talented, cross-functional team working together to improve lives and make the biggest possible impact for patients, science and society?

Apply now!

Date Posted
12-Jul-2026

Closing Date
18-Jul-2026

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company that specializes in the research, development, and manufacturing of prescription drugs. The company was formed in 1999 through the merger of Astra AB and Zeneca Group plc. AstraZeneca's products are used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes. The company has operations in over 100 countries and employs more than 76,000 people worldwide. AstraZeneca is committed to developing innovative medicines that improve the health and well-being of people around the world.
Learn more about AstraZeneca
Size
83,100 employees
Market Cap
$211.5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$3.1 billion
Founded
1999
5 Year Trend
+10.2%
Revenue
$26.6 billion
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at AstraZeneca

More Pharmaceuticals & Biotech Jobs

Find similar Business Planning Lead jobs: