Position: Head of Research and Development and Medical Finance - Alexion, AZ Rare Disease Unit (RDU)

Location: Boston, USA

At Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, we put patients first and strive to meet their unmet needs worldwide. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality. If you are swift to action, confident to lead, willing to collaborate, and curious about what science can do, then you are our kind of person. As the Head of Research and Development and Medical Finance, you will be a key leader within the finance team and play a pivotal role in every aspect of the business and channelling our scientific capabilities to make a positive impact on changing patients’ lives.

Accountabilities

As the Head of Research and Development and Medical Finance you will be a key leader within the Research and Development leadership team, providing strategic advice, supporting resource allocation across R&D portfolio, and continuing to drive improvements across R&D systems, process and ways of working, aligned with AstraZeneca. You will be a key advisor to senior management to ensure effective development and execution of the finance strategy and the delivery of necessary business outcomes. Specifically, you will:

Drive financial robustness, productivity, and associated metrics into the key decision-making processes, including rESPC/rLSPC, and be a key member of the rDRC as well as influencing the portfolio prioritization exercises
Manage the budget to support science, drug development, and regional/global medical activities
Partner with the Alexion R&D organization across the whole spectrum of drug discovery & research, early and late-stage clinical development, and post-approval medical activities
Work with the R&D leadership team to deliver system, process, and organization change, including driving robust and controlled clinical development cost management and determination and allocation of internal resources
Lead and develop a team of finance professionals, attracting and retaining talent
Be an active member of the Alexion R&D LT, Alexion Finance LT, Global R&D finance leadership team and Global Finance Senior Management Team
Ensure data accuracy across all reports and analytics provided to senior leaders (actuals and forecasts)

What you’ll do:

Business Strategy & Decision Support

Design and maintain a long-term finance strategy for the business area aligned to the organization’s overall business strategy. Contribute to strategy development for the business area by shaping strategies and developing business and operational plans
Challenge, influence, and improve strategies, tactics and plans
Oversee the development of financial mechanisms in line with corporate objectives to ensure the achievement of long-term business goals
Partner the business in driving R&D productivities initiatives

Business Performance

Lead the finance function for Research and Development and Medical in a manner that maximizes contribution to the achievement of business objectives, profitability, and return on investment. Joint accountability with the business for the accuracy of forecasts and leveraging sound understanding of the business model and financial drivers to challenge and influence the key cost drivers
Drive a technology enabled strategy, including leveraging AI and use of sophisticated models, reports, and forecasts to challenge and strengthen decision-making processes across R&D.
Optimize key relationships with organizations to take full advantage of efficiencies and meet compliance obligations.
In partnership with the R&D and Medical Leaders, manage the Business Unit P&L
Lead finance and cross-functional teams and drive initiatives leading to increase business improvement
Through best practice stakeholder management techniques, explore needs with internal customers and external suppliers and utilize this information to improve business results leveraging significant commercial and business acumen

Continuous Improvement, Governance, and Coaching

Lead the finance elements of change programs and projects in own area of the business, working with the business to develop and prioritize delivery of the company’s finance strategy for the area
Ensure that tactical leadership decisions are enforced for the business to achieve its objectives
Work in partnership with the Business and Specialist Finance colleagues to ensure that an environment of continuous professional development is created and individual and team performance is managed effectively
Coach and deliver effective performance management to direct and indirect reports creating a supportive work environment where everyone has the opportunity to fulfill their potential
Lead Finance role in communicating governance and compliance standards and statutory regulations to non-specialists in a way that is understandable and relevant and relays the risk of commercial decisions effectively
Lead insightful and proactive risk management processes to ensure the organization’s regulations, rules and process are adhered to; highlighting areas of concern

Essential Skills/Experience:

Strong business partnering skills and experience
Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting
Minimum of 10 years of experience in finance, accounting or related business area
Minimum of 5 years of experience within the Pharma industry
Prior experience of supporting an R&D function
Experience in a leadership role interacting with senior management. Ability to drive accountability at the right level.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, demonstrated strategic influencing skills
Strong business knowledge and acuity
Demonstrated people leadership, coaching and/or mentoring skills
Proven ability to perform in an environment that emphasizes teamwork

Desirable Skills/Experience:

Demonstrated ability as an agent of change in a dynamic work environment
CPA
MBA

Key Stakeholders include:

CEO Alexion
Alexion Leadership Team
Chief Financial & Administrative Officer, Alexion
R&D and Medical Leadership Teams, Alexion & AstraZeneca
Group Financial Services - Middle Office (Costa Rica)
Group R&D Finance team

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.

AstraZeneca is driven by solutions that make an impact at every step of the patient journey. We thrive on energy and pace, always pushing forward with a winning mentality. Our inclusive team draws on a diverse group of backgrounds to come up with innovative solutions. Here you will find countless opportunities to develop and grow while contributing to life-saving medicines.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now!

The annual base pay offered for this position ranges from $209,512 to $314,269. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualised 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, the 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

25-Jul-2025

Closing Date

08-Aug-2025

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.

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Head of Research and Development and Medical Finance, Alexion