At AstraZeneca, we win through the science, it is at the heart of our every success. Every decision is rooted in the limitless possibilities of what science can do. We push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines. This purpose underpins everything we do. It gives us a reason to come to work every day. It reminds us why we exist as a company. It helps us deliver benefits to patients and bring value for shareholders. It also sets the context for our employees' activities and the roles of our teams, partners, and other collaborators. AstraZeneca has a multifaceted environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. We attract top minds, and we cultivate and build top talent.

This role will span both Biologics Engineering (BE) and Oncology Targeted Discovery (OTD) which are pivotal organizations that have experienced significant organizational evolution concurrent with pipeline growth, with over 1000 employees working on powerful science and building AZ portfolio across Biopharmaceuticals, Oncology and Vaccines & Immunology.

As the Senior Director, Business Planning & Operations, you will be responsible for direct support for high priority initiatives, driving operational excellence, owning process improvements and building positive relationships internally and externally. You will work closely with the SVP, Biologics Engineering and Oncology Targeted Discovery, Executive Director Business Transformation and Agility and leadership teams (LT) to provide operational support to improve goal clarity, engagement, and organizational efficiency, ensuring alignment of activities and key messages between Leadership Team members, the Oncology R&D LT, Biopharma R&D LT, V&I R&D LT and Senior Executive Team leaders.

You will be responsible for:

Business strategic planning and monitoring: drive effective business planning across sub-teams in alignment with deliverables and organizational strategies/goals, and monitor and report against performance milestones, metrics and/or KPIs. Provide robust business information to senior leaders and lead collaborative decision making.
Business processes: provide expert advice in influencing the development of strategies in the most complex and challenging functions, manage and oversee the main business processes of the functions, included but not limited to governance, budgeting, finance forecasting and resourcing. Track all actions and strategic initiatives to completion, reporting back to the LTs on progress as needed
Project Management: successfully lead projects/SET initiatives end to end in collaboration with SLT, Finance and Portfolio & Capacity partners. This could include finance programs (Mid Term Planning), location strategy projections, organizational development and resource planning.
Portfolio Management: manage portfolio forecasts, demands, create long term vision, identify strategic gaps.
Leadership facilitation: drive the efficient planning of leadership meetings and facilitate collective decision-making and execution, including monitoring objective progress and escalation of business-relevant risks/concerns.
Business partnership: represent both functions as business partner to Finance, Human Resources, Comms and other Business areas, aligning with relevant internal stakeholders (e.g., other Business Operation leads/Chiefs of Staff) on key topics.
Daily business management: streamline and drive day-to-day activities related to the team's activities and lead organization and communication of team activities
Cross-R&D Alignment: drive alignment across R&D functions, coordinating with other Business Planning & Operations Leads, and leadership team members to support goal planning and tracking, prep for key leadership meetings, and other cross-R&D initiatives.
Aligning with Lab Operations Teams: Lab resource planning: capital budget, IT. Aligning with IT initiatives and scientists needs

Basic Qualifications and Skills:

MS or MBA degree with 6+ years pharmaceutical industry or consulting experience OR BS degree and 8+ years' experience.
An organized, efficient leader with the ability to define priorities and focus on areas that add value and able to decipher the processes vital to operational success within the function and deliver at pace.
A person who demonstrates a high level of cultural sensitivity; an active listener and someone who can be trusted and depended on for mentorship; committed to advancing the principles of AstraZeneca's culture and a true team player who works with others respectfully and cordially and can adapt their approach accordingly.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience on how to organize people and activities, and ability to identify what to measure and how to measure it in order to achieve the best outcomes for the functions.
Experience in setting high but reachable goals and clearly communicating those goals. Ability to drive process change optimisation in various environments and a solutions oriented approach.
The ability to adapt, work through conflicts and persuasively influence outcomes. Ability to influence without direct reporting authority, must be able to lead and influence up as well as down the org structure.
Acts as a problem solver regardless of the source or location of issues.
Synthesize complex information into simple solutions and be able to present to SLT.
Can optimally cope with change and acting without complete information and thrives in a fast-paced business environment.
Exercises appreciable autonomy in thought, action, and decisions.
Demonstrated ability to develop and present sound proposals and recommendations and influence and empower others to achieve objectives.
Strong proven project management skills and transformation experience.

Desired Skills and Experience

Extensive experience in strategy development, project and process management expertise within a pharmaceutical or clinical environment- broad experience across multiple areas of Oncology R&D Discovery and AI
Strong organizational skills and a high degree of attention to detail including forecasts, budgets, financial processes and tools
Experience in translating business needs into a coordinated strategy from cross-functional senior leadership team
Experience in leading through influence in a matrix organization
Knowledge of or passion for digital solutions, highly desired
Project management certification is desirable but not required.
Proven experience with process improvement methodology such as Lean Sigma/Change Management
Strong interpersonal, communication (written and oral), organizational, relationship building, and consulting skills
Results-orientation with ability to develop creative and simple solutions to sophisticated problems

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.

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $178,221-$267,332. 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. 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.

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. Always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development.

So, what's next?

Are you ready to bring new ideas and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant! We have one seat available, and we hope it's yours.

Date Posted

30-Sep-2024

Closing Date

04-Oct-2024Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.

AstraZeneca requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 but will consider requests for reasonable accommodations as required by applicable law.