Medical Director, BBU & Rare Disease (South Cone)

About the role

AstraZeneca is looking for a Medical Director for its Biopharmaceuticals Business Unit (BBU) and Rare Disease (RD) in the South Cone. The role leads the country medical strategy and execution across key therapeutic areas such as cardiovascular, renal and metabolism, respiratory, vaccines and immune therapies, and rare diseases, ensuring scientific leadership, evidence generation, data dissemination and compliant medical engagement.

Key responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end country medical plan, set objectives, KPIs and risk controls, and act as senior scientific authority for assigned therapeutic areas
• Lead local evidence plans including IIS/IST support, RWE/HEOR projects, non-interventional studies and post-authorization commitments, partnering with Clinical Operations
• Build compliant relationships with scientific leaders, professional societies, academic centers and patient organizations, and represent the company at congresses and advisory boards
• Ensure medical activities comply with local regulations and company policies, chair or contribute to medical review committees
• Generate and share medical insights, drive publication plans and ensure balanced medical information responses
• Co-lead with Commercial, Market Access, Government Affairs and Patient Safety, and act as the medical voice in pricing, HTA submissions and access negotiations
• Oversee medical education, lead and coach MSL managers and MSLs, and recruit, mentor and manage the medical team
• Ensure safety surveillance, case reporting and risk management with Pharmacovigilance, and own the medical budget and vendor oversight

Required profile

• MD or PharmD/PhD with strong clinical and scientific credentials; medical specialization in a relevant therapeutic area is a plus
• 8-12+ years in Medical Affairs or Clinical Development, including leading country medical teams and complex portfolios, with experience in South Cone healthcare systems
• Deep knowledge of local regulations, promotional codes and compliance frameworks, with audit/inspection readiness
• Proven collaboration with KOLs, payers, HTA bodies, academic groups and professional societies
• Native or near-native Spanish and professional English

Required skills

• Experience designing and delivering non-interventional studies, RWE/HEOR projects and publications
• Cross-functional leadership across Commercial, Market Access and Clinical Operations
• Scientific leadership, strategic thinking, external orientation, program management, budget stewardship and people leadership

The role is hybrid, based in Argentina or Chile, with about 30% travel across the South Cone and occasional international travel. One seat is available.