Director Early Chemical Development Pharmaceutical Science

Position: Director (Small Molecules Analytical Team Leader]), Early Chemical Development, Pharmaceutical Science

Location: Macclesfield, United Kingdom

Competitive Salary and Benefits

Here you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to patients’ lives. With science at its heart, this is the place where breakthroughs born in the lab become transformative medicines – for the world’s most complex diseases. Answer unmet medical needs by pioneering the next wave of science, focusing on outcomes, and shaping the patient ecosystem.

The setup: The 101-acre Macclesfield is the biggest pharmaceutical manufacturing site in the UK, supported by over 5,000 employees. The campus is also home to Pharmaceutical Sciences and is the only AstraZeneca site with Chemical Development capabilities.

Be encouraged and supported to think creatively in our dynamic environment. Here we are free from fear of failure, free to ask the right questions and make bold decisions.

We are currently looking for a scientific leader in Analytical Science to join our Early Chemical Development group. 

Pharmaceutical Sciences is a function within the AstraZeneca Biopharmaceuticals R&D unit that builds innovative, efficient solutions by transforming molecules into investigative medicines meeting unmet needs of future patients.  The function has five departments: Early Chemical Development, Advanced Drug Delivery, Early Product Development, Digitalisation and Manufacturing and Data Science and Modelling.  Our wide-ranging portfolio of projects includes traditional small molecules, nucleotide-based therapies, and nanomedicines across AstraZeneca’s therapy areas.

Early Chemical Development (ECD) is a world class CMC department with responsibility for early phase Drug Substance.  The department’s responsibilities span from early engagement with Discovery Chemistry groups to manufacture of Phase II Clinical material, and its key skill areas include Analytical Chemistry, Crystallisation, Isotope Chemistry, Large-Scale Laboratory (Kilo-Lab) Manufacturing, Process Chemistry, Process Design, Process Engineering, Route Design and Separation Science.

We’re looking for a highly talented and experienced Analytical team leader to join ECD’s Analytical Chemistry group.  The individual will have extensive experience of analytical science within a leadership setting, preferably with specific expertise in early phase clinical development.  A passion for working in new scientific areas and developing solutions to technical and project challenges is a key requirement for the role.  The role will focus on managing a team of analytical scientists, supporting them in implementing analytical strategy to progress small molecule drug development programs.

As a line manager of analytical scientists, you will provide leadership, coaching and mentorship alongside scientific/technical input into projects. You will work with your team, and in close collaboration with other skill groups and organisations, to ensure project activities are delivered in line with the overall project timelines, scientific rigour and appropriate quality.

As a member of the Early Chemical Development Leadership Team, you will provide expertise and leadership for analytical sciences.  You will partner with other Team Leaders to contribute to strategic business development and manage resources to deliver the project portfolio to time, quality and quantity targets.  You will work broadly across the company and externally, looking to implement new technologies and ways of working, plus interface, where necessary, with industry and regulatory bodies to keep abreast of industry trends.

Key Responsibilities:

• Accountable for the implementation of analytical strategy across ECD’s small molecule portfolio.
  • Track portfolio and manage allocation of resource based on project priority.
  • Ensure phase appropriate project technical scopes are defined and executed.
• Manage and ensure input of expert guidance to a team of analytical scientists to support development, manufacturing and clinical release activities of drug substance.
  • Continue to build and shape team to meet the needs of AstraZeneca’s future portfolio.
  • Coach team member’s individual development as well as assess and reward their performance
  • Provide broader skill set coaching across Early Chemical Development and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Provide leadership in the development of departmental goals and link them to team members’ individual goals
• Ensure work is performed in accordance with appropriate Safety, Health & Environment (SHE), quality and compliance standards, e.g. GMP, ensuring standards are upheld and improvement and action plans delivered as required
• Scientific leader with a track record of consistent delivery through others.
• Strategic thinker who influences across functions. 
• Can identify and evaluate external opportunities and threats and influence strategy accordingly. 

Essential Criteria

• BSc/PhD level education in a relevant discipline (for example Chemistry, Analytical Science) and a significant number of years’ experience working within a CMC development organisation
• The role holder should have a thorough working knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry to ensure that industry standards are applied, as well as possess an understanding of other relevant developments in Industry
• Significant experience of technical supervision, coaching and mentoring or leading teams of people
• Significant experience within an analytical development organisation.
• A strong understanding and practical experience of the principles and management of SHE and cGMP.
• Strong influencing, stakeholder management and prioritisation skills

Desirable Criteria

• Demonstrated strong leadership both within and external to analytical skill group.
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex situations and provide clear strategic direction
• Excellent communication and strategic influencing skills across interfaces of discipline and culture
• Demonstrated experience in establishing productivity improvements, ideally through adoption of digital solutions.
• Significant experience as a CMC author or reviewer of regulatory documentation
• Ability to think and operate across functional boundaries, challenge the status quo and seek opportunities for business improvement

Why AstraZeneca

At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration. Always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development.

So, what’s next?

Complete your application before the below closing date.

This role is open from 19th Aug 2025 and we welcome your application no later than COB 5th Sep 2025.

Applications must include your current CV, and a cover letter which presents your motivation and suitability for the role.

Where can I find out more?

Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/

Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/

Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/astrazeneca_careers/?hl=en

Date Posted

19-Aug-2025

Closing Date

05-Sept-2025

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.