Head R&D Strategy & Business Development – Vaccines and Immune Therapies (V&I)

Overview: The Head R&D Strategy & Business Development will be responsible for the development and delivery of the Therapy Area strategy and component Disease Area Strategies for AstraZeneca’s Vaccines and Immune Therapies Unit.

The role also leads R&D search & evaluation, licensing, and alliance and partnering efforts aligned with strategy. The role reports to the SVP, Vaccines and Immune Therapies Unit and works closely with the V&I Therapy Area Leadership Team (TALT). This role is pivotal to our mission of developing cutting-edge vaccines and therapies that address significant unmet health needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership:
  • Lead the development and execution of the Therapy Area Strategy and component Disease Area Strategies for V&I, encompassing both near-term and long-term priorities.
  • Establish a clear strategic framework to guide planning, decision making and prioritisation across the V&I unit.
  • Provide competitive intelligence that ensures the development of V&I portfolio, franchise, disease area and therapy area strategies is informed by effective and timely external insight

• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (e.g., Early V&I, Late V&I, V&I Commercial) to align on integrated strategies and operational deliverables.
  • Provide strategic counsel to senior leaders within the organization, ensuring alignment with corporate goals.

• Business Development:
  • Oversee key business development activities in the Vaccines and Immune Therapies domains, including search & evaluation, licensing, and collaborations with academic institutions or commercial organizations.
  • Manage the evaluation of early-stage projects, new modalities, and Life Cycle Management opportunities.
  • Lead due diligence teams for potential in-licensing opportunities and partnerships, ensuring thorough scientific evaluation and delivering recommendations to governance bodies.
  • Develop and manage partnerships that enhance our pipeline, fostering new scientific collaborations to drive innovation.
  • Partner with the VP Commercial V&I to provide R&D inputs to the evaluation and due diligence of Commercial BD opportunities.
  • Partner with the V&I Business Development Operations Head in the execution of Clinical and Commercial transactions and with the BPRD BD and Licensing team for Pre-Clinical transactions.

• Networking and Representation:
  • Build and maintain a strong external network with biotech, venture capital firms, and peer pharmaceutical companies to identify emerging innovations and foster collaborations.
  • Represent the Vaccines and Immune Therapies strategic initiatives to senior management and external stakeholders to enhance AstraZeneca’s reputation as a partner of choice.

• People Leadership
  • Lead and develop the R&D Strategy & Business Development team to ensure high levels of engagement and performance.
  • Work as part of the V&I Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and V&I Leaders Council (VILC), coaching and mentoring colleagues in areas of expertise and acting as a role model for the AZ values.

Essential Criteria:

• BA/BS in Business, Medical or Life sciences is required.

• 10+ years of relevant experience in the therapy area.
• PhD in life sciences related areas or MD preferred.

• Proven scientific credibility, with an extensive background in vaccine and immune therapy development and commercialization.
• Exceptional leadership skills, with demonstrable experience in driving innovative business development strategies that impact product delivery.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex strategies effectively with diverse audiences.
• Ability to establish and maintain successful partnerships, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and awareness.

• Resourceful, motivated, and proactive; adept at prioritizing in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent negotiation skills and a proven ability to motivate and influence teams.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a consultative approach to building relationships and trust.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $270,221 to $405,332. 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

21-Jan-2026

Closing Date

29-Jan-2026

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.

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.