Local Feasibility Lead - Cell Therapy

Introduction to role:

This role is based in Barcelona, with an on-site commitment of three days a week. Fluency in English is required.

Are you ready to steer end-to-end feasibility for pioneering cell therapy trials across Spain and Italy, turning local insight into sharp study decisions that speed medicines to patients? Can you translate complex feasibility signals into decisive actions that de-risk delivery and enable faster, smarter enrollment?

In this role, you will lead country-level feasibility for internally delivered studies in our cell therapy portfolio, shaping where and how we run trials to maximize impact. You will partner closely with regional feasibility, site partnerships, program management and patient operations, as well as local study and medical teams, to align country/site allocation and recruitment baselines with the realities of clinical practice and the competitive landscape.

Reporting to the Director Feasibility, Cell Therapy, you will connect stakeholder input, digital planning tools and performance data to build realistic, cost-efficient recruitment and retention strategies. Your leadership will directly influence optimal study design, site selection and predictable delivery for patients who need new options in some of the hardest-to-treat cancers.

Accountabilities:

- Local Feasibility Leadership: Lead end-to-end feasibility activities across Spain and Italy for early and late-stage cell therapy studies, providing a single point of contact for all feasibility stages and ensuring actionable, country-specific feedback.

- Study Design Input: Contribute to the design remit and study specification validation by surfacing country-specific challenges, clinical standard-of-care conflicts and operational constraints that materially impact delivery.

- Data-Driven Site and Country Allocation: Use internal and external performance data to inform optimal country/site allocation decisions and to build realistic, sustainable recruitment baselines and forecasts.

- Recruitment and Retention Strategy: Develop robust country- and site-specific recruitment and retention strategies that reflect feasibility findings, budget realities and timelines, including early transparency on the use of vendors and site-level tools.

- Stakeholder Partnership: Collaborate with regional feasibility, site partnerships, patient operations, study management, local study teams, clinical advisers and medical affairs to align on risks, assumptions and decisions; escalate critical issues to global feasibility and project teams with clear options and evidence.

- Operational Excellence and Timeliness: Manage, validate and deliver country feasibility responses on time and with quality to meet key study milestones, including locked study information and recruitment framework expectations.

- Risk Management and Mitigation: Contribute to study-specific risk assessments and contingency plans with SMM leadership, LSADs and CRAs; trigger mitigations proactively to protect enrollment and timelines.

- Knowledge Transfer and Handover: Ensure smooth transition of country-specific feasibility insights, data and assumptions to local study teams at handover, supporting a clean start-up and informed monitoring.

- Digital Tools and Training: Serve as subject matter expert and advanced user of study design and planning platforms; provide oversight and training to country users to standardize tool adoption and data quality.

- Continuous Improvement and Market Awareness: Track marketplace trends, policies and technology that affect study delivery; lead and support global and local process improvement initiatives in feasibility, recruitment and retention; champion best practices across clinical operations.

- People and Culture: Mentor new team members on ICH/GCP and procedural standards; model a proactive, change-positive mindset that drives performance and collaboration.

Essential Skills/Experience:

- Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (e.g. life sciences, business management, or project management) or project management certification.

- Significant experience (~5 years) in pharmaceutical industry drug development processes.

- Proven experience in managing, influencing, building and maintaining relationships, and achieving results with senior stakeholders in a conflicting priority environment.

- Proven experience in developing and delivering study delivery strategies and tactical/operational plans aligned to commercial and regulatory objectives.

- Clinical trial patient and investigator recruitment and retention experience - Proven experience in project and budget management.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, negotiation, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.

- Excellent knowledge of international guidelines ICH/GCP, basic knowledge of GMP/GDP.

- Good knowledge of relevant local regulations.

- Good medical knowledge in relevant AZ Therapeutic Areas.

- Good understanding of Clinical Study Management including monitoring, study drug handling and data management.

- Ability to travel required, approximately 15% - Ability to deliver quality according to the requested standards.

- Ability to look for and champion more efficient and effective methods/processes of delivering quality clinical trials with reduced budget and in less time.

- Good analytical and problem-solving skills.

- Demonstrates ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks with conflicting deadlines.

- Good cultural awareness.

- Ability to understand the impact of technology on projects and to use and develop skills while making appropriate use of systems/software in an e-enabled environment.

- Team oriented and flexible; ability to respond quickly to shifting demands and opportunities.

- Ability to work in an environment of remote collaborators.

- Manages change with a positive approach for self, team and the business. Sees change as an opportunity to improve performance and add value to the business.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

- New product development experience within the pharmaceutical industry.

- Prior involvement in developing study delivery strategies and tactical/operational plans aligned to local regulatory objectives.

- Proven project management or other complex/cross-border management experience.

- Proven experience working with partners, Clinical Research Organizations (CRO) and Academic Research Organizations (ARO).

- Experience in cell therapy - Ability to influence strategically and persuade tactfully, to obtain desired outcomes while maintaining effective, positive, organizational relationships.

- Process Innovation Mindset: Ability to critically evaluate current workflows and identify opportunities where AI can drive efficiency, quality, or innovation.

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.

Why AstraZeneca: We are united by a bold ambition to transform outcomes in cancer, pairing cutting-edge science with the latest technology to push the boundaries of what’s possible in development and delivery. With a diverse, fast-advancing pipeline across multiple indications, you’ll work in a community that brings scientists, clinicians, data experts and operational leaders together to shorten the path from concept to care. We back decisive thinking with real investment, value kindness alongside ambition, and collaborate with leading centers around the world to accelerate research where patients need it most. Your contribution will directly shape programs at the forefront of cell therapy and help bring meaningful innovations to people faster.

Call to Action: Seize this opportunity to lead country feasibility that accelerates cell therapies for patients across Italy and Spain—make your move today.

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.