AstraZeneca

Head of Advocacy & Market Development, COPD

AstraZeneca$267K — $401K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant science field preferred.
  • 10+ years in healthcare or biopharma, ideally in Respiratory or Immunology.
  • Proven ability to engage and gather insights from external stakeholders.
  • Strong influencing and collaborative skills at Executive levels.
  • Experience working in a matrix organization across different cultures.
  • Track record of building relationships as an AZ Ambassador.
  • Market launch experience with advocacy and brand development.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement the global advocacy strategy for Key External Experts (KEEs).
  • Collaborate with the Global COPD Clinical Expert Council to shape program strategies.
  • Create personalized advocacy plans for identified Global Advocates.
  • Drive organization-wide understanding of the market development vision for COPD.
  • Define key strategies and tactics in collaboration with targeted markets.
  • Develop a healthcare change strategy with Medical and policy teams.
  • Coordinate global and local teams for effective program delivery.

Benefits

  • 401(k) retirement plan.
  • Paid vacation and holidays.
  • Paid leaves.
  • Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Short-term and long-term incentive programs.
Full Job Description
We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Advocacy & Market Development, to join our Global Commercial team and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of COPD care.

In this highly visible leadership role, you will lead the development and execution of global advocacy and market development strategies for a key launch asset in our respiratory portfolio. Working across global, regional and local teams, you will help build scientific and clinical advocacy for IL-33 pathway science while driving healthcare system transformation initiatives designed to improve patient identification, optimize care pathways and expand access to innovative treatment approaches.

You will collaborate closely with Medical, Policy, Market Access, Digital, Commercial and local market teams to ensure strategy alignment and seamless execution across key global markets. Through strong external partnerships and expert engagement, you will help create the conditions needed to improve outcomes for patients living with COPD.

As a key member of the Global Commercial team, you will provide strategic leadership across advocacy, healthcare system change and market development initiatives that support the successful launch and long-term growth of the asset.

What You'll Do

Advocacy Leadership
  • Develop and execute the global advocacy vision, strategy and operational plans to amplify the scientific and clinical narrative around IL-33 pathway innovation
  • Build and maintain strong partnerships with Key External Experts (KEEs), including leadership of the Global COPD Clinical Expert Council and related respiratory disease forums
  • Collaborate with Global Brand Team colleagues to develop advocacy programs, educational initiatives, speaker training and engagement activities
  • Partner closely with local market advocacy leads to ensure global strategies are effectively translated into local execution plans
  • Develop tailored engagement plans for priority global advocates and strengthen AstraZeneca's presence across respiratory and immunology communities


Market Development Leadership
  • Define and drive the long-term global market development vision for COPD asset
  • Lead the development of global market shaping strategies, tactics and assets in partnership with key markets
  • Collaborate with Medical and Policy colleagues to develop healthcare system change initiatives focused on early patient identification, screening, care pathway optimization and evidence generation
  • Partner with external stakeholders, including healthcare authorities, patient advocacy organizations and policymakers, to advance COPD care delivery
  • Identify and coordinate external partners and vendors that support patient identification and healthcare transformation programs
  • Lead cross-functional global and local teams to ensure successful planning and execution of market development initiatives
  • Define and deliver compelling value propositions and service platform offerings that improve implementation and patient outcomes across priority markets


Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree, preferably in a scientific or healthcare-related discipline
  • Minimum 10 years of experience within the healthcare or biopharmaceutical industry
  • Demonstrated experience in Respiratory, Immunology or related therapeutic areas in the USA
  • Proven success engaging and influencing external stakeholders, including KEEs, prescribers, payers and healthcare organizations
  • Track record of success in global and/or local commercial leadership roles
  • Strong stakeholder management and leadership skills, including experience influencing senior executives
  • Experience working effectively within complex matrix organizations and across diverse cultures and geographies
  • Demonstrated ability to build trusted partnerships with external organizations and senior leaders
  • Successful launch experience, including advocacy development, market shaping and brand growth initiatives


Preferred Qualifications
  • Advanced degree such as MBA, PhD or equivalent
  • Deep understanding of respiratory disease management and healthcare system dynamics
  • Experience leading healthcare transformation or market development initiatives
  • Strong knowledge of policy, access and advocacy landscapes across major global markets
  • Demonstrated success building external partnerships that drive meaningful healthcare change


This position is based in Gaithersburg, MD the US HQ of our Global Biopharmaceuticals business. 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 bold world!

AstraZeneca offers an environment where you can thrive by working with new medicines, digital approaches and ever-evolving healthcare challenges. We are driven by our commitment to transforming patient outcomes through scientific innovation and meaningful partnerships. Our collaborative culture, diverse perspectives and entrepreneurial mindset create opportunities to make a real impact on patients, healthcare systems and society. Join us and help shape the future of respiratory care.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now to join our team!

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $267,913.60 - 401,870.40 USD. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives-an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

Date Posted
13-Jul-2026

Closing Date
13-Aug-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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