New Launches Director V&I

Location: Wilmington
Hybrid Policy: 3 days a week onsite

Are you ready to drive transformative change in the world of vaccines? As the New Launches Director, you will spearhead the end-to-end launch strategy and execution for priority vaccine assets. This pivotal role will see you aligning with corporate objectives and brand ambition to ensure successful launches from late-stage development through post-launch acceleration. Join us in shaping the future of healthcare and making a lasting impact on global health.

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 challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

At AstraZeneca, we are changemakers on the world stage at an exciting frontier of medicine. Our commitment to transforming healthcare is backed by deep knowledge and experience. We are dedicated to addressing pandemic preparedness to protect against future health crises while ensuring our products reach millions globally. Our diverse team thrives on collaboration to make essential breakthroughs that enhance lives. By harnessing science and technology in an inclusive environment where every voice is valued, we push boundaries to deliver profound impacts on global health.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now to join our dynamic team!

What You’ll Do:

• Drive the end-to-end launch strategy and execution for priority vaccine assets, from late-stage development through post‑launch acceleration, aligning with corporate objectives and brand ambition.

• Develop and refine the integrated go‑to‑market strategy, including segmentation, value proposition, positioning, channel mix, and launch KPIs, ensuring cohesive execution across priority markets.

• Lead cross‑functional orchestration with Medical Affairs, Market Access/HEOR, Regulatory, Manufacturing/Supply, Commercial Excellence, Sales, and Communications to deliver launch readiness and excellence.

• Shape pricing, reimbursement, and policy pathways in partnership with Access teams; support recommendation bodies and tenders to secure timely access and coverage.

• Translate insights and competitive intelligence into strategy, finding opportunities, threats, and ground-breaking pathways; run scenario planning and forecasting to pressure‑test launch curves and investments.

• Align scientific and evidence plans with Medical, including effectiveness, safety, co‑administration, interchangeability, and real‑world evidence generation critical for vaccine uptake.

• Ensure supply and channel readiness with Operations, including demand-supply integration, allocation, cold-chain requirements, distribution models, and vaccination site onboarding across public and private channels.

• Lead stakeholder engagement plans with external experts, public health agencies, payers, pharmacies, health systems, and advocacy; lead all aspects of advisory boards and thought‑leader development aligned to brand objectives.

• Architect pre‑, peri‑, and post‑launch omnichannel campaigns and digital ecosystems; enable consented data capture, CRM journeys, and in‑clinic tools; partner with analytics for test‑and‑learn optimization.

• Oversee field readiness: define GTM models, size and deploy field resources, and deliver role‑specific training, objection handling, and materials tailored to vaccine topics and administration logistics.

• Govern the launch program via a stage‑gate process; maintain risk/issue registers, codify red/green flags, and coordinate rapid course corrections to keep launches on track.

• Ensure all promotional and launch activities comply with regulatory, legal, and ethical standards and AstraZeneca policies, including pharmacovigilance and quality requirements for biologics and vaccines.

• Manage allocated budgets, investment cases, and performance tracking to enhance impact and demonstrate clear return on investment communicate performance and decision rationales to senior leadership.

Essential Skills / Experience / Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in business, marketing, life sciences, public health, or related field.

• 10+ years pharmaceutical commercial experience with a robust track record in developing and executing launch and brand strategies founded on insights and clear value propositions.

• Demonstrated end‑to‑end leadership of at least one significant asset launch at country, regional, or global level; vaccines and/or infectious disease launch experience strongly preferred.

• Deep understanding of commercial strategy, including go‑to‑market design, omnichannel engagement, field force deployment, pricing, reimbursement, and market research techniques.

• Experience with vaccine‑specific market dynamics, including public/private channel strategies, health authority recommendations, tendering and procurement, seasonality, and cold‑chain logistics.

• Proven financial competence and budget management, with strong understanding of forecasting, P&L drivers, investment governance, and business case development.

• Experience engaging and influencing external stakeholders, such as key disease experts, public health bodies, payers, health systems, pharmacies, and patient/advocacy organizations.

• Broad commercial experience including pre‑launch, launch, and post‑launch optimization; experience integrating clinical data and RWE into brand and lifecycle planning.

• Strong cross‑functional leadership and collaboration skills with Medical, Access/HEOR, Regulatory, Manufacturing/Supply, and Commercial Excellence; ability to lead through ambiguity and manage multiple priorities.

• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills, including concise executive storytelling and decision framing.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (MBA, PhD) is desirable.

• Global or multi‑market vaccines/infectious disease launch experience across US, EU, or emerging markets.

• Experience working with government tenders, immunization schedules, and public health programs.

• Demonstrated innovative thinking to bring bold ideas to life in patient and provider engagement, including digital platforms and data partnerships.

Notes on What’s Important for Vaccine Launches (Experience Focus):

• Evidence and recommendations: Familiarity with shaping value stories and evidence plans to support health authority recommendations and guideline inclusion.

• Channel and policy complexity: Experience tailoring strategies across public tenders and private channels, including pharmacies and alternative vaccination sites.

• Supply and logistics: Proven ability to coordinate cold‑chain, allocation, site activation, and seasonality planning with Operations.

• Safety and communications: Preparedness for heightened safety scrutiny and proactive benefit‑risk communication, including rapid response to signals and misinformation.

• Administration and uptake: Understanding of administration workflows, scheduling/recall systems, co‑administration guidance, and in‑clinic enablement to drive real uptake.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $231,988.80 - $347,983.20 USD Annual 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. 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.

At AstraZeneca, we pride ourselves on crafting a collaborative culture that champions knowledge-sharing, ambitious thinking and innovation – ultimately providing employees with the opportunity to work across teams, functions and even the globe. 

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 challenge perceptions. That’s why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we’re not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Our dedication to sustainability is also central to our culture and part of what makes AstraZeneca a great place to work. We know the health of people, the planet and our business are interconnected which is why we’re taking ambitious action to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time, from climate change to access to healthcare and disease prevention. 

Are you ready to embrace a world-class career in our dedicated Oncology unit? Here, we are always looking to learn more, welcoming the varied opportunities to expand our horizons or develop niche expertise. Embrace the unparalleled access to industry-leading research, technology, and pipeline product launches with a footprint in every region. Coupled with our agility and sharp focus on talent development, there is an exciting opportunity to accelerate a rewarding and meaningful career.

Apply now!

Date Posted

10-Apr-2026

Closing Date

23-Apr-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.