The Associate Director of Global Project Management (GPM) is a key leadership position and global role responsible for handling global, cross-functional, drug development teams and sub-teams towards achieving key strategic objectives and delivering significant development, regulatory and commercial achievements. The GPM holds a central position, with a complete view of the drug project, working across all functions. This role complements the Global Project Leader, by providing top level oversight and integration of the entire development process and into commercialization.  

Depending on the stage of development and project complexity, the GPM will work on one or more cross-functional early or late Global Project Teams (GPTs).  The GPM is accountable for ensuring that the team operates in a way that represents standard process for project management within AstraZeneca. Stage and project complexity will define to what extent the GPM will work with other Project Managers to drive project delivery. The GPM is a strategic partner to the Global Project Leader/Global Franchise Head and the entire GPT. 

The Associate Director GPM role is highly visible and is crucial to the delivery of strategic and operational objectives. It plays a role ensuring successful delivery of innovative medicines to patients throughout the drug development process. 

Typical Accountabilities 

Strategic Business Partnership 

• Provides input into the project strategy & vision through expertise in project management, and navigates the therapy area and corporate governance processes 

• Ensures alignment of the project and operational deliverables to the team’s strategy 

• Shares lessons learned and communicates those where relevant  

• May run or lead elements of the team’s development plan or strategy as delegated by the Global Project Leader 

• Ensures appropriate linkages between project strategy and key internal processes (TA strategy, TA prioritization, corporate scorecard) and updates the relevant enterprise systems 

• Where applicable, work with alliance partners 

• May partner with Business Development to provide project input to potential deal cases (investment & divestment) 

Cross-functional Team Leadership and Delivery  

• Leads cross functional drug development teams and sub teams and ensures an accurate and achievable project plan 

 • Acts as a core GPT member and drives efficient operation of early and/or late-stage GPTs including overall plans, priorities, budget and risk management  

• Accountable for driving an effective, efficient team environment and helping the Global Project Leader to build a cohesive, high performing team 

• Facilitates GPT and sub-teams towards successful decision making and issue resolution. Focuses the GPT on the right activities at the right time and can handle the majority of challenging project situations.  

• Creates and handles effective communication processes within the team 

• Proactively ensures the set-up and maintenance of information management practices in lines with AZ standard process and with support of the Information Management Lead 

• Ensure project data quality as per agreed standards 

Governance and Investment Decisions  

• Facilitates GPT towards effective governance decisions (e.g. Phase IDs, project revisions, etc.)  and is responsible for leading development of investment decision documentation 

• Integrates and provides information to both the team and senior management / governance bodies that allows efficient (timely and informed) decision making  

Planning, Monitoring and Delivery  

• Ensures that the overall GPT deliverables, budgets, schedules, and performance standards are realistically set, governance approved and attained, and that the project optimally fulfills all information management and business reporting requirements.  

• Maintains plans of the highest data quality, accountable for all project management deliverables associated with GPTs or sub-teams covered  

Entrepreneurship  

• Seeks opportunities to drive positive change and remove barriers within and outside the team. 

• Advocates company standard processes  

• Applies business knowledge to drive cross-functional and cross-project learning 

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

Essential/Required 

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience with demonstrated ability supporting cross-functional drug development teams or leading sub-teams 

Project Management experience with successful track record of delivering projects within agreed time, quality and cost.  

Experience with project management tools and processes.  

Ability to handle high performing teams with expertise in developing effective team operations 

Ability to work efficiently with senior partners 

Experience ensuring high quality data in enterprise systems 

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

Experience ensuring high quality data in enterprise systems 

Desirable

Advanced degree in a scientific team and / or MBA  

7+ years’ relevant experience  

In-depth knowledge of drug development process with therapeutic area specific knowledge and experience  

Project Management (PMP) Certification 

Key Relationships to reach solutions 

Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.