Senior Director, Clinical Projects

Job Title - Senior Director, Clinical Projects

Location - Gaithersburg, MD

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.

At AZ, we’re proud to have an exceptional workplace culture that encourages innovation and collaboration. Here, employees are empowered to express diverse perspectives – and made to feel valued, energized and rewarded for their ideas and creativity. AZ is a place where passionate people can immerse themselves in their work and make significant contributions to scientific excellence and medicines – does this describe a place where you would like to work?

The Senior Director of Clinical Projects drives strategic change and improvement initiatives across BioPharma Clinical Operations and the broader enterprise. Reporting to the Executive Director, Portfolio and Enabling Functions, this role offers an exciting opportunity to lead high-impact projects that will shape the future of our business.  

Typical Accountabilities

• Work independently to identify and pursue targeted opportunities for business improvement 

• Lead and inspire cross-functional teams to solve complex business challenges 

• Provide project leadership, developing comprehensive project plans, timelines, and resource requirements 

• Conduct in-depth analysis of current state business processes and performance metrics 

• Define and articulate future state solutions that align with organizational goals 

• Leverage data-driven insights and business expertise to inform decision-making 

• Oversee the implementation of future state solutions, ensuring smooth transitions 

• Report progress and outcomes to senior leadership, providing clear and concise updates 

• Manage project budgets and resources effectively, ensuring optimal allocation and utilization

• Partner closely with subject matter experts (SMEs) across the business to drive collaborative solutions 

• Coach and mentor team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation 

• Manage and develop teams of associate staff, as required

Essential Skills:

• 10+ years of relevant experience  

• University degree required; advanced degree preferred 

• Experience in the pharmaceutical industry 

• Proven track record of successfully leading large-scale transformation projects 

• Strong strategic thinking skills with the ability to translate business goals into actionable plans 

• Extensive experience leading and motivating project teams 

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex topics clearly to diverse audiences 

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and drive results 

Desirable Skills:

• Consulting experience, particularly in business transformation or strategy 

• Project management certification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) 

• Lean Six Sigma certification or extensive experience with other process improvement methodologies 

Our Gaithersburg, Maryland facility creates life-changing medicines for people around the world. This campus employs more than 3,500 experts in our field and is only a short drive from Washington, DC. This modern and vibrant scientific campus is the home of R&D and Oncology in the US. Here, we play host to some of the most cutting-edge technology and lab spaces, all designed to inspire collaboration and cross-functional science. We believe employees benefit from being challenged and inspired at work. We are dedicated to creating a culture of inclusion and collaboration.

The Gaithersburg site offers a variety of amenities to help boost productivity and help keep our employees happy and healthy. This includes a fitness center, employee healthcare clinic, electric vehicle charging stations, dry cleaning, full-service cafeteria and copy center. This is where you’ll find newly-designed, activity-based work spaces to suit a variety of working styles while increasing collaboration between teams.

“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 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.”

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $182,645 to $273,968. 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.