R&D Diagnostic Alliance and Project Manager

At AstraZeneca we turn ideas into life changing medicines. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality.

As one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in precision medicine, we transform patients’ lives by personalizing treatment. To deliver our diagnostic strategies, we have invested more than 160 million USD in development of diagnostics and work with diagnostic partners across the globe.

We have an opportunity for an outstanding candidate to join the AstraZeneca's Precision Medicine & Biosamples function in a dual role of a Diagnostic Alliance and Project Manager. In this role, you'll be critical to (1) managing the partnership with external diagnostic companies and (2) effective project management of a prioritised portfolio of diagnostic projects across Franchises (i.e. programme level).

As a Diagnostic Alliance Manager you'll be critical in leading and cultivating partnerships between AstraZeneca and its network of Diagnostic Partners. In this role you will leverage your skills in relationship management to further develop our Diagnostic Partnerships, ensure delivery of joint strategic objectives, and facilitate effective governance management. You will also collaborate with project teams, senior leaders, and diverse stakeholders across various functions of AstraZeneca and our Diagnostic Partner Portfolio.

As the Diagnostic Project Management you will work across several cross-functional diagnostic project/ programme teams to provide hands on project mangement expertise to deliver projects within agreed time, budget and quality. The role depends on close collaboration with members of the Diagnostic Project Managemetn Office, diagnostic project teams and external partners to ensure strategic alignment, and with Diagnostic Information Managers, who are responsible for inputting project information into AZ’s enterprise planning tool (PLANIT).

Responsibilities of Diagnostic Alliance Manager:

• Plan and Facilitate Key Partnership touchpoints, including joint governance committees & Face to Face Conference Interactions ensuring effective communications & ways of working between parties.
• Maintain oversight of all programs/initiatives within a partnership providing guidance on issue resolution and advisement of escalation pathways as appropriate.
• Ensure issue resolution by bringing together key decision makers from both the external partner and internal business counterparts
• Act as the primary point of contact in managing Partnership Governance Models & Execution
• Work with Senior Stakeholders to define & track partnership “must wins” and initiatives.
• Continuously identify and implement improvements to the partnership operating & governance model ensuring it meets the evolving needs of the Business.
• Identify Partnership Risks and work cross functionally to mitigate their impact on the value proposition and key deliverables of a Diagnostic Partnership.
• Lead day to day interactions with AZ’s diagnostic partners, acting as a liaison with senior managers and project teams on both sides to build collaboration and trust.
• In collaboration with Business Development and Procurement, contribute to the contracting process to meet project timelines.
• Provide timely and accurate business reporting for the Partnership including key metric delivery & scorecards as appropriate.
• Act as a spokesperson / ambassador for AZ with external partners to raise the profile of AZ as a partner of choice for Diagnostic Alliance Management

Responsibilities of Diagnostic Project Manager:

• Manages multiple complex projects to deliver to time, cost and quality o Creates and manages project plans to track and drive delivery of major milestones

• Manages project costs aligned to investment decisions, and FTE resources aligned to project needs/ forecast demand
• Creates and manages project risk logs, and drives mitigating actions with diagnostic project teams
• Creates progress reports to track delivery to time, cost and quality
  • Coaches, and works with, Diagnostic Information Managers to ensure accuracy of project/ portfolio information within AZ’s enterprise planning tool (PLANIT)
  • Drives process simplification and standardisation across Precision Medicine to maximise efficiencies and establish best practice
  • Meeting planning and facilitation
• Plans and facilitates Diagnostic Project Team meetings, ensuring accurate actions are captured, circulated and followed up on.
• Plans and facilitates Precision Medicine project review meetings, attended by Precision Medicine leaders, diagnostic project team members and key R&D stakeholders
  • Deputises for the Director, Diagnostic Project Management at programme level, as necessary

Qualifications, Skills and Experience Required:

Essential:

• Life science based degree or equivalent experience in relevant subject
• Understanding of local regulations and limitations when working with Diagnostic partners
• Experience of effective alliance management, with a proven track record of delivery
• High level understanding or interest in the importance of diagnostics for precision medicine
• Strong leadership skills with ability to manage negotiations both within an organisation and with external partners
• Strong networking/consulting skills with good internal/external links.  Proven ability to influence others inc at senior levels
• Evidence of leading and developing innovative solutions that positively impact delivery through a partner
• Experience in problem-solving/ conflict resolution in a cross-functional, cross-cultural environment, and ability to escalate issues appropriately
• Significant experience within a scientific project management environment
• Expert understanding of Project Management techniques, tools and principles
• Strong organisation and forward-planning skills, with attention to detail
• Experience of global team-working and effectively communicating with key stakeholders
• A professional, enthusiastic and proactive approach, with the ability to independently manage a diverse and demanding workload
• Experience of using Microsoft Office/ Outlook, project planning tools and web-based programmes
• Prior experience in managing and reporting of project information

Desirable:

• Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA) and/or a PhD/Master´s degree in a Life Sciences discipline with equivalent experience working in a business role for an IVD or Biopharma industry organization
• Proven track record in delivering high risk projects and decision making
• High-level understanding and interest in Precision Medicine
• Professional project management qualification (e.g. PMP)
• Experience of using PLANIT to accurately forecast resource and maintain milestones

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.