Executive Director, Portfolio Contract Strategy

At AstraZeneca, we turn ideas into life changing medicines. Working here means being bold, thinking big, and working together to make the impossible a reality. We are dedicated to unlocking the potential of science to address the unmet needs of patients around the world. We commit to those areas where we believe we can truly change the course of medicine and bring innovative ideas to life.

As Executive Director of Contract Strategy, you will lead the creation and delivery of gross-to-net contract strategies across US Business Units, including the Oncology Business Unit (OBU) and Biopharmaceuticals Business Unit (BBU). Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President, US Market Access, you will be a key member of the US Leadership Team, steering strategic interactions with government and private payers to secure competitive and profitable product placement.

This role can be based at either the Wilmington, DE or Gaithersburg, MD office locations.

What You'Ll Do

• Strategic Leadership: Direct a department of 30+ professionals, spearheading negotiation strategies across all segments aligned with brand and therapeutic area objectives.
• Contracting Expertise: Develop and recommend efficient contracting solutions (e.g., rebate, value-based agreements, innovative contracting models) informed by market research, competitive intelligence, and partner feedback.
• Governance and Decision-Making: Serve as a voting member, crafting strategy and actions for major brands and channels.
• Policy Analysis: Oversee the development of business impact analyses based on policy changes.
• Analytics and Insights: Lead analysis of analogs, brand utilization, forecasting, and predictive modeling.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Define and implement contracting strategies for flagship brands and coordinate across business units in major therapeutic areas
• Customer Engagement: Regularly collaborate with key government and commercial customers supporting contract negotiations and relationships.
• Operational Support: Provide financial, legal, and operational expertise to Account Directors for the development and execution of gross-to-net contracts.
• Innovative Contracting: Lead the design and implementation of industry-leading outcomes-based agreements and value-based contracting models in partnership with internal and external partners.
• Competitive Intelligence: Maintain robust knowledge of competitor products and evolving US healthcare landscape across relevant therapeutic areas.
• Financial Planning: Facilitate coordination between brands and Market Access in long-range financial planning to ensure contract strategy and performance are fully coordinated.
• Governance Oversight: Lead and manage the gross-to-net contracting governance process, ensuring cohesive brand and sales alignment.
• External Representation: Represent AstraZeneca in public forums, conferences, and interactions with external parties, consistently conveying the organization’s values and priorities.
• Talent Management: Mentor and develop leaders and teams, supporting succession planning, growth, and a culture of performance and accountability.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in Marketing, Science, Economics, or Finance
• At least 10 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical or healthcare sector, with deep expertise in pharmaceutical sales, market access, and healthcare delivery systems.
• Demonstrated proficiency in analytical problem solving, forecasting, contract development, financial modeling, negotiation, and relationship management.

Desirable Qualifications

• MBA or demonstrated advanced finance experience.
• Multi sector marketing experience and a strong grasp of pharmaceutical business models, with specific knowledge of brand team operations, brand planning, and sales models.
• Functional Experience: Experience in HCP/consumer marketing, Medical Affairs, and/or Government Affairs.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $271,691 - $407,536 USD. 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

02-Oct-2025

Closing Date

19-Oct-2025

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.