Vice President, Radioconjugate Development

AstraZeneca • Waltham, MA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

At AstraZeneca, we work together across global boundaries to make an impact and find answers to challenges. We do this with the utmost integrity even in the most difficult situations because we are committed to doing the right thing. We continuously forge partnerships that help pursue world-class medicines in new ways, combining our people’s exceptional skills with those of people from all over the globe!
We are committed to advancing the science of oncology to deliver life-changing medicines to patients most in need. With a combination-focused pipeline that exploits the power of six scientific platforms (Immuno-Oncology, Tumor Drivers and Resistance, DNA Damage Response, Antibody-drug Conjugates, Cell Therapy and Epigenetics) to help address unmet clinical needs in a host of cancers, we are motivated by a dedication to the scientific discovery and collaboration that will one day help eliminate cancer as a cause of death. We currently have over 100 Phase 1, 2, 3 and Lifecycle Management Oncology projects in our robust pipeline. We deliver the Research & Development for Oncology through our newly created Oncology R&D Unit. This unit has responsibility for the value chain from discovery through to late-stage development, enabling rapid acceleration of promising early-stage assets and life-cycle management programs.
Overview:
AZ’s Oncology R&D portfolio is expanding with a breadth of assets and modalities, including radioconjugates. VP, Head of Radioconjugate Development will be responsible for strategic development of novel radioconjugates including but not limited to monotherapy opportunities and building combination regimens that improve the lives of patients with cancer. The role will focus development and executing on a strategic view of where radioconjugate therapy can make the biggest impact across the spectrum of cancer. This will require a deep understanding of how to translate science insights, clinical landscape, regulatory considerations and value creation into strategic opportunities. This role will require strong leadership, communications skills and an ability to liaise with research, late-stage development, regulatory sciences, early global development teams, tumor councils and the oncology business unit. This role sits within the Early Global Projects Team in the Early Oncology Org within Oncology R&D and reports to the VP Global Projects.
Radioconjugates represent a cutting-edge modality with the potential to transform cancer care, expand AZ’s oncology portfolio, address unmet needs in resistant and difficult-to-treat tumors, and position AZ as a leader in innovative cancer therapies. Years of external collaboration with Fusion culminated in AZ acquiring this company in 2024, leading to the need to integrate RDC technology into AZ’s ecosystem to drive towards clinical validation
The VP, Radioconjugate Development will lead the Radioconjugate group in maximizing asset value through the development of a new modality. This role involves developing a strategy, roadmap, and delivery model, bridging radiotherapy networks, defining tumor types, and aiding early decision-making through Phase 0 imaging studies. The VP will serve as the central driver for RDC development, managing GPT and guiding other GPLs.

Requirements

• MD or PhD, with 15+ years of relevant experience.
• Deep understanding of Oncology drug development, including proven radioconjugate development experience
• Broad understanding of the evolving clinical and regulatory landscape in oncology
• Demonstrated experience leading and motivating teams in a highly matrixed environment.
• Proven record of cultivating and managing internal and external cross-functional collaborations.
• Demonstrated success in influencing colleagues and senior leaders in various departments.
• Extensive leadership and line management experience, with excellent communication skills are required
• Must demonstrate high integrity

Responsibilities

• Develop and drive a strategic roadmap and efficient delivery model for novel radioconjugates
• Define key scientific parameters, such as radio-sensitive tumor types and dose-setting strategies, and integrate early decision-making frameworks, Phase 0 imaging studies, patient selection strategies, combination frameworks
• Establish above-asset GPT that manages strategic relationship between Discovery, Early, and CMC, and to ensure alignment with the steering committee.
• Responsible for driving single accountability for all radioconjugate development, establishing governance through an above-asset GPT, and ensuring alignment with the steering committee.
• Responsible for leading and assigning development of the radioconjugate assets thought careful consideration of workload and capabilities
• Responsible for mentoring, guiding, and growing talent in both direct reporting lines and across the expanding radiojonjugate portfolio
• Responsible for building/utilizing AI tools to help with maximizing efficiency and decision-making capabilities for radioconjugate portfolio

Benefits

• qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]
• paid vacation and holidays
• paid leaves
• health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree