Head of Clinical AI Portfolio, Senior Director, AI for Clinical Development

This role can be based at AstraZeneca hubs in Boston, US; Gaithersburg, US; or Barcelona, Spain.

We're building a connected, end-to-end Enterprise AI engine - uniting data foundations, AI technology, process reinvention, and business-facing AI to accelerate results across the whole value chain. Success depends on being exceptional connectors:you'llactivelyleverageexisting capabilities, celebrate and promote reuse, export breakthrough ideas across geographies and functions, and obsess over scaling impact rather than building in isolation. If you thrive in high-collaboration environments where your role is to turn complex, cross-functional problems into reusable, enterprise-wide capabilities - and where the measure of success is adoption and scale, not just innovation - you'll have the platform (and sponsorship) to make it real.

About AISI

AI Science & Innovation (AISI) sits at thecentreof AstraZeneca's R&D AI transformation. Our remit is to build, buy and deliver the AI models and agents that change pipeline outcomes, across discovery, translational science,biomarkersand clinical development.

Role Overview

AstraZeneca is building a world-class AI capability for Clinical Development within the Enterprise AI Unit to accelerate the design, conduct, and analysis of clinical trials across our enterprise pipeline. We are hiring a Head of Clinical AI Portfolio to set the strategy and own the portfolio thatturnthis ambition into delivered value.

This is a senior, strategic portfolio-owner role. You willleadthe strategy for AI in Clinical Development, includingwhere it creates the most value, how the roadmap is sequenced, and how success is measured. You willown the portfolio end toend:prioritizing demand, buildingthe businesscases, anddemonstratingvalue. You will act as a trusted thought partner to AI for Clinical Development and AISIleadership, andkeep the strategyup-to-dateby scanning the external clinical AI landscape and translating what isemerginginto implications for our roadmap.

You will alsodevelop and ownthe operating model that connects the function’s work to clinical impact: how clinical questions become well-posed,prioritizedproblems for our research and applied AI teams, and how research capabilities reach clinical and study teams and change decisions.

We’relooking for someone equally credible in a room of clinicians framing a trial decision, in a room of AI researchers scoping a method, and in front of senior leaders setting direction.

Whatyou'lldo

• Set and own the strategy for AI in Clinical Development: define where AI creates the most value across Phases I-III and clinical operations, articulate the multi-year vision and the outcomes that define success, and keep the strategy current as the science, the pipeline, and the technology evolve.

• Own the clinical AI portfolio end toend:prioritize and sequence demand,maintainthe roadmap of AI-enabled clinical capabilities, and balance short-term delivery against long-term capability-building.

• Build the business cases for clinical AI initiatives; define, track, and quantify value and ROI, and use that evidence to guide investment and prioritization decisions.

• Lead portfolio governance, prioritization, resource planning, cross-project dependencies, deliverable tracking, and executive reporting. Establish a consistent project management framework, governance model, and delivery processes across the team so we scale effectively.

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to AI for Clinical Development and AISI leadershipbyframing options, surfacing trade-offs, and shaping the decisions that set direction for the function.

• Scan the external clinical AI landscapetotranslate emerging methods, tools, and precedents into implications and recommendations for the strategy and portfolio.

• Define the intake, prioritization, and triage frameworks that govern how demand is scoped and sequenced atportfolioscale.

• Provide build / buy / partner recommendations: survey internal and external capability, pressure-test vendor claims and the underlying data, and shape the sequenced execution plans the business will fund.

• Plan and lead portfolio review and governance meetings with clear agendas, documentation, and follow-up actions.

• Serve as the seniorpoint of contactacross research and engine leadership, clinical development, translational science, clinical operations, biometrics, and regulatory.

• Represent the clinical AI portfolio, its strategy, and its value to senior leadership and governance.

Essential for the role

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, life sciences, engineering, or a related field; a Master’s or MBA is a plus.

• Demonstrated experience setting strategy and owning a portfolio or major program at a senior level in a biopharmaceutical, digital health, or technology-driven environment.

• 8+ years across clinical development, R&D, informatics, or applied AI in life sciences, includinga track recordof leading cross-functional programs to delivery.

• Demonstrated ability to translate between scientific/clinical needs and technical teams, turning ambiguous clinical questions into scoped, fundable, executable work.

• Portfolio, program, or alliance leadership: prioritization, sequencing, business cases, value/ROI, and stakeholder governance at an executive level.

• Working awareness of the external clinical AI landscape and the ability to translate emerging developments into strategy and portfolio decisions.

• Working fluency in modern AI/ML (foundation models, LLMs, agentic systems)sufficientto shape and pressure-test solutions and their evaluation.

• Strong command of the clinical development and operations lifecycle across Phases I-III and how decisions get made across functions.

• Excellent strategic thinking, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability tooperateeffectively in an international matrix environment and to translate across scientific, technical, and operational stakeholders.

• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, with the ability to synthesize information and support data-informed decision-making.

• Demonstrated ability to remain composed and professional when dealing with issues, challenges, conflicts, and competing priorities.

Desirable for the role

• Experience embedding technical or AI teams into clinical or study teams and driving large-scale adoption.

• Build / buy / partner and vendor diligence experience.

• Change leadership across functions, cultures, and geographies.

• Hands-on clinical development experience.

• Experience defining value and benefits-realization frameworks fornew technologyin a regulated environment.

• Experience in management or strategy consulting, or a similar client-facing advisory role.

Office Working Requirements

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 atpaceand challenge perceptions.That'swhy we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But thatdoesn'tmeanwe'renot flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $ 203 213,60 - 304 820,40 Annual USD. 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 participatein our equity-based long-term incentive program. Benefits offered include 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 withthe terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

Date Posted

Closing Date

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.