Senior Director, Contract and Trade Operations

At AstraZeneca, we turn ideas into life changing medicines. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality. We’re passionate about the potential of science to address the unmet needs of patients around the world. We commit to those areas where we believe we can really change the course of medicine and bring big new ideas to life.

We are hiring a Senior Director, Contract and Trade Operations for our Market Access Operations team. Reporting to the Executive Director, Market Access Operations and serving as a core member of the leadership team, this role oversees the end‑to‑end lifecycle of market access contracts—spanning drafting, negotiation, and regulatory compliance to enable both patient access and value creation. The leader will drive contract implementation, rebate and chargeback processing, and revenue‑leakage analysis, directing high‑performing teams to improve efficiency in close partnership with payers, wholesalers, and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). Importantly, this role will be accountable for steering the organization through a period of change as we adapt rebate constructs in light of evolving policy updates, setting direction, aligning stakeholders, and ensuring disciplined execution to safeguard market access contracts and sustain operational excellence.

What You’ll Do:

• Operational Management: Oversee the full contract lifecycle—from drafting through execution and renewal—ensuring timely, efficient implementation of pricing strategies and policies aligned with business objectives.

• Contract Administration: Lead administration of Market Access customer contracts, securing favorable terms and ensuring compliance with Gross-to-Net (GTN) implications and Fair Market Value (FMV) assessments.

• Operational Excellence: Drive economic transparency, accurate processing, and SOX‑compliant auditability for payments—including rebates, service fees, data purchases, and outcomes‑based arrangements—within a robust, end‑to‑end framework emphasizing internal controls, data integrity, and disciplined documentation.

• Launch Readiness & Supply Chain: Coordinate cross‑functional product launch activities, manage wholesaler orders, and ensure supply continuity.

• Change Leadership & Team Management: Lead a large, high‑performing team through a period of change, ensuring processes reflect best practice and evolve in step with a rapidly changing external landscape. Make staffing decisions and effectively assess and coach managers to optimize team composition, capability, and performance.

• Process Improvement: Institutionalize standardized operating processes while continuously identifying and implementing enhancements to improve efficiency, accuracy, and compliance.

• Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure adherence to all laws, regulations, and policies governing AZ Contract and Trade Operations, proactively manage risks, and participate as a voting member of the GTN Governance Committee.

• Performance Metrics & Analytics: Develop and operationalize KPIs and dashboards to monitor contract performance, financial liabilities, and account/partner performance; deliver data‑driven insights on market trends to support strategic planning and decision‑making.

• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner with Legal, Finance, Brand, and Market Access teams to align contracting strategies with commercial goals.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strategic relationships with key external stakeholders—including payers, wholesalers, and industry associations—and manage vendor and third‑party partnerships.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (Business, Finance, or Life Sciences).

• 8 years in market access, access strategy or finance with at least 5 years in a leadership role.  Proven track record in leading and developing high‑performing teams

• Strong understanding of payers, specialty pharmacy models (including limited distribution networks), 3PL operations, and group purchasing organizations.

• Proficiency in contract management systems (e.g., Model N, Salesforce), ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle), and data analytics tools (e.g., Excel, PowerBI).

• Successfully leads cross-functional projects, manages vendor relationships, and negotiates in matrixed organizations.

Preferred Requirements:

• An Advanced Degree (MA/MS/MBA) or equivalent experience is preferred

• Pharmaceutical trade, distribution, or contracting roles

• Detailed understanding of AZ business model with knowledge of brand team operation, brand planning, and sales model.

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca when we see an opportunity for change, we seize it and make it happen, because any opportunity no matter how small, can be the start of something big. Delivering life-changing medicines is about being entrepreneurial - finding those moments and recognizing their potential. Join us on our journey of building a new kind of organization to reset expectations of what a bio-pharmaceutical company can be. This means we’re opening new ways to work, pioneering cutting edge methods and bringing unexpected teams together. Interested? Come and join our journey.  

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.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now and join us on this exciting journey

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $218,361 to $327,542. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

Date Posted

13-Apr-2026

Closing Date

26-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.