Senior Manager, Forward Deployed Decision Scientist

When we bring different perspectives together, we unlock bold thinking that can help transform patients’ lives. In-person collaboration gives us the opportunity to connect, move quickly and challenge conventional thinking. That’s why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office, while balancing this with individual flexibility.The
Senior Manager, Forward Deployed Decision Scientist
is a hands-on role within the Decision Science group supporting Alexion’s Rare Disease Unit. Based in
Mississauga, Ontario, you will partner closely with commercial teams to turn complex business questions into analytical solutions that support HCP engagement, patient opportunity assessment and commercial effectiveness.
You will lead analytics projects from problem definition through model development, validation and implementation, collaborating with analytics leaders on priorities and methodology. You’ll bring together statistical expertise, machine learning and AI-assisted development using tools such as Snowflake Cortex AI and approved coding assistants. Patient-level analysis will use de-identified data within approved privacy, compliance and AI governance standards.
What you’ll doStatistical & Predictive Analytics
Apply statistical methods, experimental design and regression techniques to solve commercial business problems and clearly communicate findings, uncertainty and limitations.
Develop, validate and deploy predictive and machine learning models, using appropriate approaches for small samples and class imbalance common in rare disease.
Apply survival analysis, forecasting and causal inference methods to areas such as adherence, patient journeys, demand planning and commercial effectiveness.
Commercial Data Science
Develop advanced analytics solutions across marketing mix optimization, next-best-action, patient identification, adherence and retention, segmentation and competitive intelligence.
Use healthcare data sources, including claims, specialty pharmacy, CRM and other real-world datasets, to generate actionable insights.
Translate model outputs into clear recommendations that enable better commercial decision-making.
AI-Enabled Analytics
Use Snowflake Cortex AI and approved AI-assisted development tools to accelerate analytical development, feature engineering and prototyping.
Critically evaluate AI-generated code and analytical outputs for statistical accuracy, reliability and appropriate application.
Help develop evaluation approaches and guardrails that support responsible and effective use of AI in analytics.
Data Privacy, Governance & Model Quality
Work with de-identified patient-level data in accordance with applicable privacy, regulatory and organizational requirements.
Apply model explainability, bias and fairness assessments, validation, monitoring and appropriate governance controls.
Maintain clear documentation and auditability across analytical methods, models and recommendations.
Collaboration & Leadership
Lead assigned analytics projects, manage milestones and proactively identify risks and dependencies.
Partner across Brand, Market Access, Patient Services, Field and other teams to understand business needs and translate analytics into action.
Communicate complex analytical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Contribute to peer reviews, knowledge sharing and coaching across the team.
Essential Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Biostatistics, Data Science, Econometrics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science or a related quantitative field, or equivalent relevant experience.
Strong experience in data science, applied statistics or quantitative analytics, with hands-on delivery of predictive models or advanced analytics solutions.
Strong foundation in statistical modeling, machine learning, model validation and experimental design.
Proficiency in
Python and SQL, with experience using relevant statistical and machine learning libraries.
Experience working with cloud-based data and analytics platforms such as
Snowflake, AWS or Azure, or comparable technologies.
Experience applying advanced analytics to complex business problems and translating findings into actionable recommendations.
Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Commitment to responsible analytics, data privacy and appropriate model governance.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in rare disease, specialty pharmaceutical, healthcare or life sciences analytics.
Familiarity with healthcare datasets such as claims, specialty pharmacy, CRM and EMR/EHR data.
Experience with marketing mix modeling, next-best-action, causal inference, survival analysis or patient identification.
Experience with AI-assisted development, LLM evaluation or agent-based analytical workflows.
Familiarity with NLP, deep learning or advanced machine learning approaches.
Experience with tools such as Snowflake/Snowpark, Spark, MLflow, Power BI, Tableau or Qlik.
Knowledge of healthcare data privacy, model explainability and responsible AI principles.
Why AstraZenecaHere, you’ll use advanced data platforms, analytics and AI to address meaningful challenges for underserved patient populations. You’ll work in a collaborative, ambitious environment that combines the agility to move quickly with the reach of a global biopharmaceutical organization.
We value curiosity, integrity, collaboration and different perspectives. You’ll have opportunities to deepen your technical expertise, broaden your understanding of patients’ experiences and turn analytics into decisions that can create lasting impact.
Great People want to Work with us! Find out why:
GTAA Top Employer Award for 12 years
Top 100 Employers Award
Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture
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AstraZenecais an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination. AstraZeneca is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Such accommodation is available on request in respect of all aspects of the recruitment, assessment and selection process and may be requested by emailing View email address on ca.hrm.tc.
Annual base salary for this position ranges from 115,693.60 to 151,847.85.
AstraZeneca is committed to providing fair and equitable compensation opportunities to all colleagues. Our compensation policies and practices have been designed to allow colleagues to progress through the salary range over time as they progress in their role. The range provided in this posting represents an offer pay range used in a majority of situations. The base pay offered will vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including the candidate's skills and experience, job-related knowledge, and other specific business and organizational needs. In some cases, offers outside the range may also be considered to address unique circumstances.
In addition, our permanent positions offer an annual Variable Pay Bonus/Short Term Incentive opportunity as well as eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (if applicable to role). Benefits offered for permanent roles include a competitive Flex Benefits & Retirement Savings Program, 4 weeks’ paid vacation, and annual Personal Days. Fixed Term Contract/Temporary positions (excluding students) are offered a Contract Benefits Program.
We are using AI as part of the recruitment process.
This advertisement relates to a current vacancy.
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