
Head of Compliance, United States Oncology Business Unit
AstraZeneca
Summary
Are you ready to set the ethical compass for one of the largest and fastest-growing oncology businesses in the world, and turn a complex regulatory landscape into a strategic advantage? As Head of Compliance for the US Oncology Business Unit, you will lead the strategy and delivery of a modern, risk-based Compliance programme that safeguards patients, builds trust with healthcare partners and enables responsible growth. Based in Gaithersburg, MD, you will report to the VP Compliance, Oncology Business Unit, represent Global Compliance on the US Oncology Leadership Team and co-chair the US Oncology Compliance Committee.
Job description
Accountabilities
- US OBU Leadership: Serve as a key member of the US Oncology Senior Leadership Team, shaping strategic direction and driving business success through proactive, risk-based compliance guidance.
- Team Leadership: Lead and develop a high-performing team of Compliance Business Professionals, setting clear objectives, coaching for impact and fostering a culture of integrity, inclusion and accountability.
- Simplification, Data and Digital: Promote simplification and standardisation across the US, with a focus on compliance-by-design, digital solutions, data analytics and AI-enabled monitoring that streamline controls and improve insight.
- Compliance Programme Delivery: Deliver all elements of the Compliance programme, including business partnering, risk assessments, training and education, control design and review, monitoring, auditing, investigations and reporting, linking each to measurable risk mitigation and business enablement.
- Governance and Committees: Implement and maintain an effective compliance programme and co-chair the US Oncology Compliance Committee to ensure timely escalation, decision-making and follow-through.
- Trusted Partner and Influence: Act as the primary compliance contact for senior US Oncology leaders, translating complex regulatory questions into pragmatic, forward-looking solutions that enable compliant execution.
- Policy and Training Evolution: Convert questions and issues into concrete improvements to policies, procedures and training that simplify ways of working and sustain an ethical culture.
- Objectives and Assurance: Define and deliver compliance objectives aligned to the Global Compliance strategy, ensuring an embedded, consistent approach to governance and assurance.
- Risk Management: Support the enterprise risk framework and risk register, and mitigate assigned compliance risks such as inappropriate product promotion, data privacy, anti-bribery and anti-corruption, and fraud, through targeted plans and metrics.
- Enterprise Collaboration: Build strong partnerships across Oncology, Biopharmaceuticals, Rare Disease and enabling functions, aligning priorities and sharing best practice to raise standards and accelerate impact.
Essential Skills/Experience
- Senior professional with an advanced degree and working experience in compliance, law, accountancy or business consultancy
- Minimum of 10 years' working experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with strong familiarity with fast-paced commercial environments
- Proven success leading teams in large, multicultural pharmaceutical commercial organisations
- In-depth knowledge and understanding of pharmaceutical marketing and sales interactions with all customer types
- Deep knowledge of the US healthcare compliance legal framework (e.g. FCA, AKS, FDCA, HIPAA, SOX) and other relevant corporate governance, healthcare regulations, laws and standards, including US-specific healthcare fraud and abuse regulations
- Strong business fluency, with the ability to influence senior leaders and exercise sound compliance judgement
- Data and AI literacy, with an understanding of how these will shape the business and the Compliance programme
- Excellent analytical, written and oral communication skills in English
- Strong collaborative, partnering and interpersonal skills, with a proactive mindset and a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach
- Strong ability to work independently and manage ambiguity in a fast-paced, sophisticated working environment
- Uncompromising ethical standards, honesty, absolute discretion and confidence in exercising independent judgement
Desirable Skills/Experience
- Juris Doctor, MBA or equivalent advanced legal, compliance or business degree
- Professional certifications such as CCEP, CHC, CIA, CISA or privacy credentials (e.g. CIPP/US)
- Experience leading compliance-by-design initiatives and deploying digital monitoring or analytics in commercial settings
- Direct experience supporting oncology or specialty therapeutics, including field and patient support models
- Experience of commercial systems transformation from a compliance perspective
- Demonstrated success influencing senior leaders in complex, matrixed, multicultural organisations
- Experience engaging with external stakeholders, such as industry associations or policy forums, to shape good-practice standards
- Track record of co-chairing or managing cross-functional compliance committees and driving issue closure
Requirements
- Senior professional with an advanced degree and working experience in compliance, law, accountancy or business consultancy
- Minimum of 10 years' working experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with strong familiarity with fast-paced commercial environments
- Proven success leading teams in large, multicultural pharmaceutical commercial organisations
- In-depth knowledge and understanding of pharmaceutical marketing and sales interactions with all customer types
- Deep knowledge of the US healthcare compliance legal framework (e.g. FCA, AKS, FDCA, HIPAA, SOX) and other relevant corporate governance, healthcare regulations, laws and standards, including US-specific healthcare fraud and abuse regulations
- Strong business fluency, with the ability to influence senior leaders and exercise sound compliance judgement
- Data and AI literacy, with an understanding of how these will shape the business and the Compliance programme
- Excellent analytical, written and oral communication skills in English
- Strong collaborative, partnering and interpersonal skills, with a proactive mindset and a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach
- Strong ability to work independently and manage ambiguity in a fast-paced, sophisticated working environment
- Uncompromising ethical standards, honesty, absolute discretion and confidence in exercising independent judgement
Benefits
- 401(k) plan
- Paid vacation
- Paid holidays
- Paid leaves
- Medical coverage
- Prescription drug coverage
- Dental coverage
- Vision coverage
- Short-term incentive bonus
- Equity-based long-term incentive program
Company overview
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused pharmaceutical company dedicated to accelerating the delivery of life-changing medicines that create enduring value for patients, society, and shareholders. With a workforce of over 94,300 employees worldwide, the company operates across three core therapy areas: Oncology, BioPharmaceuticals (including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, Respiratory & Immunology), and Rare Disease. Headquartered in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca maintains strategic R&D centers in Cambridge, Gaithersburg (US), Boston (US), Gothenburg (Sweden), Shanghai, and Beijing. The company generated $54.1 billion in total revenue in 2024 and invested $13.6 billion in scientific research and development. AstraZeneca's bold aspiration is to be pioneers in science, lead in disease areas, and transform patient outcomes, with a goal to launch 20 new medicines and achieve $80 billion in total revenue by 2030. The company is recognized for its commitment to sustainability, health equity, and creating an inclusive work environment where diverse perspectives drive innovation.