Associate Director Project Management

Role Summary

The Associate Director of Project Management leads and drives key transformation and improvement projects within the R&D BioPharma Clinical Operations function and across R&D. This role develops and maintains project management standards and guidelines for project teams, with a global remit and a high-visibility area of responsibility. The position reports to the Head of Transformation Management and focuses on delivering projects within time, cost, quality, scope, benefits, and risk tolerances.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head of TMO and the wider group on activities related to project management across multiple programs, as well as any internal TMO activities.
• Lead large-scale projects directly, taking charge of full scope and deployment activities within this pivotal role.
• Spearhead transformative initiatives from conception to execution, applying leadership to drive impactful outcomes.
• Manage and oversee transformation and improvement projects, ensuring seamless integration across R&D functions.
• Prepare baseline management products (project brief, project plans, benefits management approach, stage/exception plans, work packages) and align with project teams.
• Develop project reporting and control mechanisms (issue reports, end stage reports, exception reports, end project report).
• Liaise with portfolio, programme management or partners to avoid duplication and ensure alignment across related projects.
• Lead and empower the project management team while establishing behavioral expectations.
• Act as a liaison to the TMO and advise the group of deviations from project plans or timelines.

Qualifications

• Required: Degree in business or scientific field (or Project Management related field) with 4+ years of experience.
• Required: Expertise in programme/project management with a proven track record.
• Required: Strong communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to influence others to achieve objectives.
• Required: Experience of defining business strategies and influencing key stakeholders of the vision for the business area.
• Required: Strong networking/consulting skills with good internal/external links.
• Required: Ability to interpret and communicate technical information into business language in alignment with AstraZeneca business.
• Required: Consistent record in delivering high-risk programmes/projects and decision making.
• Required: Ability to lead negotiations across a complex group.
• Preferred: Strong experience in transformation-type projects with design thinking principles to drive innovation, user-centric solutions, and customer experience enhancements.
• Preferred: Robust understanding of processes with emphasis on R&D.
• Preferred: Formal qualifications in project management, change management, and/or process improvement methodologies.
• Preferred: Experience of working in a global organization with complex/geographical context.
• Preferred: Pharmaceutical industry experience.