Director, Strategy & Innovation, Commercial AI

Company: AstraZeneca
Location: Montgomery Village
Posted on: March 27, 2026

Job Description:

Werebuilding a connected, end-to-endEnterprise AIengine - 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:youllactivelyleverageexisting 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 - youll have the platform (and sponsorship) to make it real. We now have an outstanding opportunity to join us asDirector, Strategy & Innovationand play a meaningful role in driving cross-commercial AI transformation. The Strategy & Innovation team sits within the Commercial AI function, in the newly established Enterprise AI unit (EAI), reporting to the CEO. The team is accountable for implementation of the endorsed Commercial AI strategy, with a particular focus on AI innovation, adoption,upskillingand business-led transformation. We partner closely with our key stakeholders across the globe at market, area, and central HQ levels. When needed, the team provides tactical digital and AI leadership, acting as subject matter experts across Oncology,BioPharmaand International business units. As we take the next steps in redefining our organization with Artificial Intelligence, we are growing the Strategy & Innovation team. In this highly visible role, you will report to the Head of Strategy & Innovation, Commercial AI, and partner with other Enterprise AI leads to apply yourexpertiseand experience in leading change to prioritized digital technology and AI projects. In line with our focus onfuelingefficiency with AI, you will work closely with our businessstakeholders andplay a critical role in designing and delivering tailored upskilling across roles and commercial functions. Acting with an entrepreneurial mindset, you will actively look to embed new digital capabilities and innovative ways in our team,maintaina culture of continuous learning, and focus on the value unlocked through implementation ofnew solutions. As Artificial Intelligence and quantum computing advance at a rapid pace, you will also contribute to the broader work of the Strategy & Innovation team, actively reimagining the workplace throughcutting-edgetechnologies that empower our people to work smarter, faster, and more collaboratively. Finally, as a team player, you will ensure that we continue to develop andmaintaina culture of inclusion, speaking up and development within our Commercial AI function. What you´ll do Commercial AI strategy execution: In partnership with the Head of Strategy & Innovation and CAI LT, drive execution of the endorsed Commercial AI strategy, shaping the roadmap and supporting prioritisation across cross-commercial initiatives, withan initialfocus on generative and agentic AI. Transformationprogrammes: Lead and support cross-commercial transformation programmes from concept to scaled adoption, partnering with markets,areasand central teams to ensure measurable value delivery. Stakeholder collaboration and scalable solutions: Collaborate with internal customers and stakeholders to find opportunities for accelerating prioritised projects, as well asidentifyingsolutions that are suitable for the wider organisation. Upskilling and adoption: Partner with the Commercial AI upskilling lead and business stakeholders to design and deliver tailored upskilling across roles and commercial functions, accelerating AI adoption and efficiency. Programmeand change management: Apply strong programme and change management approaches to drive adoption, including communications, change impacts, stakeholderengagementand ways of working. Delivery coordination andvalue reporting: Coordinate delivery against agreed scope, timelines and outcomes, supporting governance,dependenciesand decisions across multiple stakeholder groups. Emerging technologies and innovation:Maintaina high degree of understanding ofnew technologies(including quantum computing) and contribute to reimagining the workplace through new digital capabilities and innovative ways. Requirements Master’s degree or higher in a relevant subject such as life science, technology, economics, business, or similar. 7 years’ experience in life sciences management or strategy consulting or technology or a fast-paced development setting, with experience in business planning,operationsand strategy Experience in leading high-profile projects, including digital technology and AI Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills Ability to influence decision makers on all levels Ability to succeed in an environment that often involves ambiguity It is desirable if you have experience from across drug commercialization and/or discovery and development. 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 at pace and challengeperceptions.That’swhy we work, on average, a minimum ofthree days per weekfrom 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 (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $ 147.507,20 - $ 221.260,80 USD Annual, either as annual base pay or as the hourly rate (annual base pay divided by 2080 hours)]. 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.

Keywords: AstraZeneca, Germantown , Director, Strategy & Innovation, Commercial AI, IT / Software / Systems , Montgomery Village, Maryland