Executive Director, AI for Discovery Global Locations 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'll actively leverage existing 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. Role Overview As Executive Director, AI for Discovery within the AI for Science Innovation Unit, you will lead AstraZeneca’s strategy for applying advanced AI and machine learning to accelerate discovery across Oncology and BioPharmaceuticals R&D. You will drive integration of cutting-edge AI approaches into target identification, mechanism-of-action understanding, compound optimization, and early discovery decision-making. You will guide a global organization and serve as a vertical AI capability that connects Discovery Biology, Chemistry, Translational Medicine, Early Development, and Enterprise AI. You will partner closely with scientific and therapeutic area leadership to deliver AI-enabled insights that improve biological understanding, enhance discovery strategies, and increase probability of technical success across the pipeline. Key
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership Develop and own AstraZeneca’s enterprise AI strategy for Discovery, spanning target identification/validation, compound optimization, mechanistic modeling, and hypothesis generation. Embed AI capabilities across the discovery ecosystem to enable multimodal data integration, mechanistic modeling, and candidate optimization. Translate high-level scientific priorities into a clear portfolio of AI-enabled discovery capabilities. Guide, partner, and lead strategies and initiatives at the highest levels within AstraZeneca Discovery at SET, EVP, and SVP levels. Serve as a member of Discovery leadership teams in both ORD and BioPharma R&D. Scientific Partnership Serve as a thought leader and advisor to Discovery Biology, Discovery Chemistry, Translational Medicine, and Therapeutic Area leadership on AI applications. Partner with teams to incorporate AI into experimental design, compound selection, mechanistic studies, and early decision-making. Foster strong relationships across AI for Science Innovation, Enterprise AI, Data Science, and Therapeutic Areas. Operational & Organizational Leadership Define operating models and talent-development paths for a world-class team of AI-fluent discovery scientists and engineers. Shape and manage external partnerships with technology providers and academic labs. Represent AstraZeneca externally in scientific and regulatory forums. Build and lead a high-performing global organization promoting rigor, innovation, and collaboration. Lead talent development and succession planning for a team of ~20 direct and indirect reports.
Qualifications
&
Experience
PhD, MD, or equivalent in computational, biomedical, chemical, or discovery sciences. 10-12+ years of experience across discovery science, computational biology, chemistry, or AI/ML in life sciences. Track record applying AI to discovery and mechanistic biological challenges. Expertise in multimodal data integration, mechanistic modeling, and early discovery analytics. Strong scientific publication record in discovery science or AI-driven biology.
Experience
deploying AI/ML solutions in discovery or early research environments. Strong literacy across molecular, multimodal, and language foundation models. Executive presence with ability to influence across matrixed organizations. The annual base salary for this position in the US ranges from $258 157,60 - $387 236,40. However, 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) or to receive a retirement contribution (hourly 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 salary (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. #EAI Date Posted 10-Aug-2026 Closing Date 25-Aug-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 is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company. We focus on discovering, developing and commercialising prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we are more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science, challenge convention and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. To embrace differences and take bold actions to drive the change needed to meet global healthcare and sustainability challenges. There is no better place to make a difference in medicine, patients, and society. An inclusive culture where you will connect different thinking to generate new and valuable opportunities. Where you will find a commitment to lifelong learning, growth and development for all. Our Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) mission is to create an inclusive and equitable environment where people belong, using the power of our diversity to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines to patients. Inclusion and diversity are fundamental to the success of our company, because innovation requires breakthrough ideas that only come from a diverse workforce empowered to challenge conventional thinking. We’re curious about science and the advancement of knowledge. We find creative ways to approach new challenges. We’re driven to make the right choices and be accountable for our actions. As an organisation centred around what makes us human, we put a big focus on people. Across our business, we want colleagues to wake up excited about their day at the office, in the field, or in the lab. Along with our purpose to bring life-changing medicines to people across the globe, we have a promise to you: to help you realise the full breadth of your potential. Here, you’ll do work that has the potential to change your life and improve countless others. And, together with your team, you’ll shape a culture that unites and inspires us every day. This is your life at AstraZeneca.