International Regulatory Capability and Process Excellence Associate Director

Are you ready to build a world-class regulatory capability engine that moves at pace? Can you turn complex change into simple, scalable ways of working that elevate performance across regions and roles? In this role, you will shape how our International Regulatory organisation learns, adapts and executes—directly enabling faster, higher-quality regulatory delivery that helps bring medicines to patients sooner. You will set the strategy and lead the delivery of process excellence and learning for a global community working across multiple regions and therapeutic areas. With the mandate to keep our operating model current and fit for purpose, you will translate evolving ways of working into clear procedures, role-based guidance and practical enablement that drives measurable outcomes. Backed by leaders who empower decisive action, you will partner across functions to embed new digital tools, ensure controlled and compliant change, and build a sustainable, role-based learning curriculum. Your work will convert evidence and insight into adoption and performance at scale, improving how teams collaborate and deliver across countries and time zones.

Accountabilities:

• Strategy, Governance and Operating Model: Establish and run the governance for process and learning within International Regulatory, aligning priorities, resources, decisions and reporting to business needs and measurable outcomes.

• Procedure Impact Assessment and Change Control: Lead a structured approach with SMEs, process owners, regional stakeholders, Quality/Compliance and tool owners to assess organisational, role and workflow changes; prioritise and govern controlled updates; and drive clear communication and traceability.

• Process–Digital Tool Integration and Enablement: Define how changes in tools trigger procedural updates and user enablement; deliver targeted training and communications; identify impacted users; and monitor adoption and effectiveness to improve outcomes.

• Curriculum Leadership and Capability Building: Own the International Regulatory curriculum and delivery plan—from capability needs assessment and prioritisation to role-based learning pathways (onboarding, core and advanced)—supported by practical job aids and communities of practice. - Program Delivery and Measurement: Form and lead cross-functional project teams to deliver L&D outcomes (needs analysis, solution design, content development, pilots and rollout), ensuring quality, measurable impact and transition to sustainable ownership.

• Global Capability Framework Stewardship: Maintain and evolve International Regulatory contributions to global capability/enablement tools, including the Capability Framework, ensuring alignment to roles, proficiency expectations and ways of working for workforce planning and curriculum design.

• Learning Ecosystem and Portfolio Management: Drive effective use of the enterprise learning ecosystem and increase visibility of global L&D programs across International Regulatory; manage budgets, vendors and resources; provide leadership, coaching and line management where applicable.

• Stakeholder Partnership and Influence: Build strong partnerships across International Regulatory leadership and teams, global regulatory process owners, Digital/IT and other enabling functions to coordinate delivery through a matrix and broader network. -

• Broader Contribution: Act as SME or program lead for selected global regulatory capability initiatives where relevant.

• Global Scope: Operate across all international markets, coordinating across countries, cultures and time zones.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• 10+ years experience and understanding of the research and drug development life cycle and of the needs and ways of working of Regulatory Affairs

• Experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

• University Degree in Science or a related discipline.

• Strong leadership skills, including a demonstrated ability to manage stakeholders and influence the broader organization.

• Passion for people development

• Proven successful leadership and project management experience

• Proven ability to develop others to meet personal aspirations and business needs

• Proven ability to drive and implement change and improvement projects

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Experience of working in a global organisation – across countries, cultures, and time zones.

• Advanced English proficiency

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Has an in-depth regulatory knowledge and understanding of key regulatory activities and processes, Submission Excellence and Regulatory Operating Model

• Professional L&D, training/L&D or project management qualification - Knowledge of AZ business and processes.

Why AstraZeneca: Here, scientific ambition meets real-world urgency. You will be empowered to make bold, evidence-based decisions and move quickly—supported by leaders who expect smart risk-taking and clear outcomes. We bring unexpected teams into the same room—regulatory, digital, quality and learning—so ideas become action faster, and practical solutions reach global teams at scale. When circumstances demand speed, we mobilise and deliver, turning questions into evidence and process into performance in weeks, not months. You will shape how a global regulatory community learns and executes, with access to cutting-edge tools, deep scientific expertise and a collaborative culture that values kindness alongside ambition.

Call to Action: Take the lead in turning regulatory complexity into clarity at global scale—join us to build capability that accelerates delivery and makes a measurable difference for patients.

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.