AstraZeneca Türkiye seeks a Medical Director to lead the Oncology & Hematology Medical function and elevate scientific leadership across the country. The role is accountable for defining and executing the national medical strategy, delivering launch and lifecycle excellence, advancing evidence generation, and deepening stakeholder engagement—anchored in rigorous scientific integrity and full compliance. In close partnership with global and area Medical Affairs, you will convert strategic intent into patient‑centric, measurable impact in Türkiye.
This is a leadership opportunity at the forefront of Oncology & Hematology, combining deep clinical expertise with business acumen to address unmet patient needs. You will operate within a highly collaborative environment, supported by one of the industry’s broadest pipelines and a sustained commitment to innovation, capability building, and scientific excellence—enabling meaningful, lasting outcomes for patients.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategy and Planning: Define and execute the Turkey Oncology & Hematology medical strategy and annual plans; adapt global strategy to local needs to deliver measurable value; proactively integrate emerging therapeutic trends into brand strategies to maximize performance across the lifecycle.
- Launch and Lifecycle Excellence: Lead pre-launch readiness, launch execution, and post-launch medical activities; be accountable for core KPIs and robust medical brand plans that differentiate AZ medicines.
- Evidence Generation and Studies: Direct country-level RWE and non-interventional study design and execution; support interventional studies for feasibility, site selection, and study communications; ensure ethical, timely publication and data dissemination.
- Medical Marketing and Market Development: Contribute to therapeutic area strategy and market development through strong Medical Affairs input into cross-functional teams and processes. Support Market Access objectives and timelines via patient/treatment flow models, evidence planning, KOL involvement in clinical trials, and monitoring of post-listing medical issues. Identify local clinical trial opportunities in collaboration with Marketing. Ensure Medical Information services provide scientifically robust content that maximizes product value.
- External Stakeholder Engagement: Act as company spokesperson for oncology at scientific boards, professional and press meetings, and committees. Build and maintain a strong network of academic and professional contacts to secure participation of high-quality researchers and clinicians; strengthen relationships with global and local KOLs in priority therapeutic areas, payers, and regulatory bodies.
- Field Medical Excellence: Elevate FSL (Field Scientific Leader) capabilities in scientific exchange, insight generation, and account planning; ensure compliant, customer-focused engagements and effective best-practice sharing.
- Compliance and Nominated Signatory: Ensure full compliance with Turkish regulations and AZ global standards; lead nominated signatory processes, medical content approvals, and act as point of contact for complaints. Safeguard workplace safety and uphold the Code of Conduct, policies, and standards. Participate in disciplinary procedures when required.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Commercial, Market Access, HEOR, Clinical Operations, Patient Safety, and Compliance to deliver innovative, patient-centric solutions and evidence generation aligned to business needs.
- Insights and Competitive Intelligence: Track scientific advances, competitor activity, and regulatory changes; integrate insights into medical plans; maintain scientific currency through conferences and literature.
- Leadership & Management: Champion AZ Values. Set individual development goals, provide planned coaching and feedback, and embed performance management processes to build a high-performance culture. Develop, monitor, and deliver the annual cost center budget.
- Organization Development: Ensure medical capabilities through strategic recruitment and focused development; implement department development initiatives; establish and track performance metrics that measure key processes and outputs; facilitate best-practice sharing across teams.
Minimum Qualifications
- Graduation from a Faculty of Medicine (MD)
- 10 years of experience in Medical Affairs within the pharmaceutical industry
- Proven Oncology experience
- Demonstrated success in country-level medical brand planning, launch, and lifecycle management
- Advanced proficiency in Turkish and English
- Strong stakeholder management across HCPs, scientific societies, regulators, and payers
- Project management expertise with a track record in complex initiatives
- People leadership experience, including development of medical (FSL & MSM) teams
- Robust knowledge of compliance/ethical standards and Turkish pharmaceutical regulations
- Excellent scientific communication, presentation, and publication experience
Preferred Qualifications
- Additional experience in Hematology will be an asset
- Advanced experience in RWE and non-interventional study design and execution, and publication planning
- Familiarity with HEOR, market access, and reimbursement dynamics
- Above-country/global experience and proficiency with Global Medical Affairs frameworks and tools.
Leadership Capabilities
- Commitment to Customers & Integrity: Shapes customer perspectives and acts with courage to do the right thing.
- Strategic Leadership: Connects internal and external trends to identify new opportunities.
- Acts Decisively: Creates clarity and accountability across boundaries to enable decisive action.
- Drives Accountability: Ensures cross-boundary alignment and commitment to deliver outcomes with integrity.
- Works Collaboratively: Builds shared purpose and innovation across functions.
- Develops People & Organization: Invests in long-term development with feedback and growth opportunities.
Why AstraZeneca?
At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Apply now and join us in making a difference!
Where can I find out more?
Date Posted
14-Jan-2026
Closing Date
29-Apr-2026
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 authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.