Associate Director, Global Project Management, Early BioPharma

At AstraZeneca, we are united by a common purpose: to push the boundaries of science to deliver lifechanging medicines. We continuously forge partnerships that help pursue world-class medicines in new ways, combining our people’s outstanding skills with those of people from all over the globe.

Our Global Portfolio and Project Management Organisation (GPPM) has a critical role to play in

advancing our pipeline and delivering Growth Through Innovation by closely partnering with Research & Development (R&D) and business leaders to support decision-making, resource allocation, project management, and governance across our combined BioPharmaceuticals and Oncology portfolio. Our team lives by a clear vision: Working collaboratively to optimize projects and our portfolio.

This position plays a highly visible, critical role in successfully delivering innovative medicines through the drug research and development process to patients.

What you´ll do

You will be a key member of the Global PPM team, using your excellent organizational and interpersonal skills to enable our global, cross functional drug project teams to operate optimally. As the Associate Director Global Project Manager (GPM) you are working in close partnership with the Project Leader, who has the scientific lead and accountability for the project. You will be a core member of the early-stage Global Project Teams (GPT) in the Respiratory & Immunology therapy area, mainly supporting projects in Pre-clinical Research. You will be working in a dynamic and vibrant cross functional environment to facilitate decision-making, project planning, execution and control.

The GPM drives efficient operation of early-stage cross functional project teams. This includes ensuring that overall team deliverables, budgets, schedules and performance standards are realistically set, governance approved and attained, and that the project effectively fulfils all business reporting requirements. As the project management expert you will manage and control cross functional project plans and budgets, risks, stakeholders and communication according to company and project management best practices.

You will be fostering an efficient team environment and together with the Project Leader build a cohesive, high performing team. The GPM focuses the team on the right activities at the right time, directing them to deliver on the integrated project plan and ensuring successful issue resolution and decision making. You will contribute to creating an environment where successful teams can meet ambitious business demands.

As a GPM you will provide input into the project strategy through expertise in project management, execution and key internal processes. You will integrate and provide information to both the project team and governance bodies that allows efficient decision making, including facilitating the project teams towards effective governance interactions and decisions. We rely on you to seek opportunities to drive positive change and remove barriers within and outside the team, champion company and project management best practices and use your business knowledge to drive cross functional and cross-project learnings.

Skills and Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of experience supporting cross-functional drug project teams or leading sub-teams

• Project Management experience with successful track record of establishing effective team operations and delivering projects within agreed time, quality and cost.

• Ability to create an effective, efficient team environment to build a high performing team

• Demonstrated stakeholder management skills, including ability to work effectively with senior stakeholders

• Experience with project management tools and processes

• Experience ensuring high quality data in enterprise systems

• Strong information management skills including use of tools such as SharePoint, Microsoft Teams and OneNote

Desirable

• Advanced degree in a scientific discipline

• In-depth knowledge of drug research and development

• Pre-clinical research experience

• Project Management (PMP) Certification

• Experience with advanced project management tools, such as Planisware/PLANIT

• Respiratory and Immunology therapy area knowledge

• Experience with novel drug modalities (e.g. cell therapy)