Director, Operations IT – Global Biologics (Philadelphia Site Support, Based in Gaithersburg, MD)

Introduction to the role

Leverage technology to impact patients and ultimately save lives. If you have expertise and passion for information technology and want to shape IT strategy in a science-led company turning ideas into life-changing medicines, this role at AstraZeneca offers that opportunity. This position is based out of Gaithersburg, MD, and will have primary responsibility for supporting our manufacturing site in Philadelphia.

About Operations IT

Operations IT is a global capability partnering with the Global Operations organization across Pharmaceutical Technology Development, Manufacturing & Global Engineering, Quality Control, Sustainability, Supply Chain, Logistics, Global External Sourcing, and Procurement. We operate from hub sites in the UK, Sweden, US, and China, and Global Technology Centers in India and Mexico.

Accountabilities

• IT Strategy and Digital North Star: Define and communicate the digital vision for Global Biologics (Philadelphia); translate business objectives into sequenced initiatives and measurable outcomes.

• GTO Partnership and Tech Transfer Enablement: Partner with Global TechOps to standardize and digitize tech transfer artifacts and workflows; improve right-first-time delivery and compliance across Biologics sites.

• Portfolio Ownership: Lead the Portfolio & Resource Mgmt.  for Ops IT Global Biologics; prioritize Run/Grow/Transform Demands & Investments, manage dependencies, and ensure benefits realization are aligned to strategic goals across Bio network sites

• Delivery Leadership: Orchestrate cross-functional squads and vendors to deliver MES, LIMS, QMS, ERP, data/analytics/AI capabilities; maintain sprint discipline, readiness gates, and timely compliant go-lives.

• Governance and Risk Management: Establish decision-focused governance; maintain RAID logs; manage risk, cybersecurity, data integrity, and CSV controls embedded in delivery.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with Site Leadership, MS&T, QA, Operations, and Global functions; drive transparent communication and adoption.

• Financial Management: Own the MTP budgeting, forecasting and CapEx/OpEx control for the portfolio; track ROI and ensure audit readiness.

• Operational Excellence: Combine digital solutions with Lean practices to reduce cycle time, improve quality/yield, and enhance batch release predictability.

• AI & Data Strategy Insights: Advance data integration, master data, and analytics; enable decision-quality data, dashboards, and AI-assisted use cases at the site.

• Change Management and Enablement: Lead training, communications, and business readiness; create playbooks to scale digital/AI capabilities across teams and sites.

• Talent Development: Mentor BAs in the team; uplift business analysis practice, agile delivery, and storytelling standards across the team.

Essential skills and experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree.

• Experience: Minimum 10+ years relevant experience; regulated environment exposure.

• IT Business Partnership & Analysis Mastery: Partner closely with business leaders to translate strategy into outcomes; apply advanced BA techniques to drive change—process mapping, requirements engineering, stakeholder alignment, and quantified benefits.

• Complex Systems Delivery: Proven success delivering outcomes across integrated platforms (MES, LIMS, QMS, ERP, data/analytics) using creative and strategic thinking.

• Stakeholder Management: Strong engagement, communication, influencing, and executive presentation skills; effective virtual collaboration.

• Risk and Compliance: Experience managing high levels of risk, applying CSV, cybersecurity, data integrity, and multi-functional judgment.

• Vendor Management: Track record of managing third-party suppliers/vendors and SOWs.

• Coaching and Leadership: Experience mentoring and developing others; shaping practices and ways of working.

• AI and Advanced Analytics: Hands-on experience identifying and delivering AI-enabled use cases, familiarity with prompt design, model evaluation, data governance, and responsible AI practices; ability to integrate AI into operating rhythms and measure impact (adoption, cycle-time, quality). 

Desireable skills and experience

• Pharmaceutical Sector Exposure (Nice to Have): Familiarity with pharmaceutical manufacturing or operations is beneficial, though not required.

• AI and Advanced Analytics: Hands-on experience identifying and delivering AI-enabled use cases, familiarity with prompt design, model evaluation, data governance, and responsible AI practices; ability to integrate AI into operating rhythms and measure impact (adoption, cycle-time, quality).

The annual base pay for this position ranges from 151,177.60 - 226,766.40 USD Annual (80% - 120%). Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

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:
Here, technology and science come together to move faster for patients. You will join a community that values ownership and experimentation, where hackathons, modern data platforms and real manufacturing challenges create meaningful outcomes. We blend ambition with kindness, placing unexpected teams in the same room to spark new ideas, and we back that with the scale and investment to deliver across the enterprise. Your leadership will be visible—from streamlining batch release to enabling AI-powered decisions—while you grow alongside colleagues who share a curiosity to learn and the courage to challenge the status quo.

Call to Action:
If you are ready to set the digital direction, lead delivery at scale and turn data into decisive action for our Philadelphia biologics operations, we want to hear how you will make an immediate impact!

Date Posted

Closing Date

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.