AstraZeneca

Director, Diagnostics

AstraZeneca$180K — $271K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Advanced degree (PhD or equivalent) in a relevant scientific field; 10+ years in precision medicine/diagnostics within pharma/biotech, spanning discovery to launch.
  • Proven track record leading diagnostic strategy and execution for clinical programs, including CDx development and PMA approval in partnership with diagnostic companies.
  • Hands-on experience with global regulatory pathways (FDA IDE/PMA; EU IVDR CPS/performance requirements), design control, and quality system expectations.
  • Deep expertise in biomarker validation (analytical/clinical) and IVD development; familiarity across modalities and methodologies (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics; immunoassays, biochemical assays, NGS, etc.).
  • Strong portfolio thinking with the ability to translate disease biology and patient journey insights into actionable diagnostic strategies and business cases.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the Diagnostics Center of Excellence (DxCoE) strategy and execution across the rare disease portfolio.
  • Own clinical trial diagnostic strategy, focusing on patient selection and biomarker-driven enrichment.
  • Build capabilities, processes, and partnerships that enhance precision medicine solutions.
  • Define disease-specific diagnostic strategies based on patient diagnostic journeys and clinical practice.
  • Collaborate to translate disease hypotheses into effective biomarkers and clinical endpoints.
  • Serve as the subject matter expert for IVD technologies and development pathways.
  • Establish processes and standards for diagnostic initiatives, ensuring alignment with governance and leadership.

Benefits

  • Qualified retirement program (401(k) plan)
  • Paid vacation and holidays
  • Paid leaves
  • Health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage
  • Short-term incentive bonus opportunity
  • Eligibility for equity-based long-term incentive program
Full Job Description

Role Summary

  • Lead the Diagnostics Center of Excellence (DxCoE) strategy and execution across the rare disease portfolio, shaping end-to-end diagnostic approaches from late discovery/early clinical through development, registration, launch, and lifecyclemanagement.

  • Own clinical trial diagnostic strategy,including patient selection, biomarker-driven enrichment, and Companion Diagnostic (CDx) development,ensuringspeed ofenrollment, data quality, and regulatory readiness.

  • Build capabilities, processes, and partnerships that shorten the diagnostic odyssey and enable precision medicine at scale.

Key Responsibilities

  • Strategy and Portfolio Leadership: Define disease-specific diagnostic strategies grounded in deep understanding of patient diagnostic journeys, clinical practice, and healthcare systems; prioritize portfolio impact and resource allocation.

  • Clinical Trial Diagnostics andCDx: Lead trial-level diagnostic strategies (assays, algorithms, inclusion criteria),CDxdefinition and development, and readiness for co-approvalof drug andCDx,drive timelines to meet enrollment and submission milestones.

  • Regulatory Excellence: Partner with internal device/diagnostic regulatory and external partners to deliver global submissions (FDA IDE, PMA; EU IVDR CPS and performance dossiers; other regional requirements) and sustain compliance under design control.

  • Translational Integration: Collaborate with Translational Science & Medicine to translate disease/target/MOA hypotheses into fit-for-purpose biomarkers and clinical endpoints; ensure analytical and clinical validation plans are robust.

  • Technology and IVD SME: Serve as subject matter expert for IVD technologies and development pathways; guide assayselection, analytical performance, clinical utility, and commercialization readiness.

  • External Partnerships:Identify, select, and manage diagnostic partners; negotiate scope, budgets, and deliverables; oversee execution with clear success metrics and risk mitigation.

  • Operating Model and Governance:Establishprocesses, standards, and dashboards for diagnostic initiatives; ensuretimelycommunication and alignment with program teams, governance bodies, and senior leadership.

  • Budget and Resource Management: Secure budgets,optimizevendor and internal resourcing, andmaintaintransparency on timelines, risks, and outcomes.

  • Horizon Scanning:Maintainup-to-dateviewof emerging tests, platforms, and guideline updates; evolve strategies to reflect scientific, clinical, and regulatory changes.

Qualifications

  • Advanced degree (PhD or equivalent) in a relevant scientific field; 10+ years in precision medicine/diagnostics within pharma/biotech, spanning discovery to launch.

  • Proventrack record leading diagnostic strategy and execution for clinical programs, includingCDxdevelopment and PMA approval in partnership with diagnostic companies.

  • Hands-on experience with global regulatory pathways (FDA IDE/PMA; EU IVDR CPS/performance requirements), design control, and quality system expectations.

  • Deepexpertisein biomarker validation (analytical/clinical) and IVD development; familiarity across modalities and methodologies (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics; immunoassays, biochemical assays, NGS, etc.).

  • Strong portfolio thinking with the ability to translate disease biology and patient journey insights into actionable diagnostic strategies and business cases.

  • Exceptional cross-functional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management across discovery, clinical development, regulatory, commercial, and medical affairs.

  • Demonstrated success building new capabilities, processes, and partnerships; comfortable leading in ambiguity and delivering against aggressive timelines.

  • Experience managing external vendors/alliances and complex budgets; disciplined in risk management and governance.

  • Self-starter with a delivery mindset; able to both set direction and roll up sleeves as needed.

  • Ability to work in an office-based environment and perform essential functions with or without accommodation.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $180,740.80 - $271,111.20. 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 9at-will position9 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

02-Jun-2026

Closing Date

15-Jun-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

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