Director – Process Design and Optimisation in Chemical Development

Job Title: Director – Process Design and Optimisation in Chemical Development

Location: Macclesfield, UK

Hybrid working model, 3-5days per week onsite

About us: 

At AstraZeneca,we'reunited by a bold ambition: to push the boundaries of science and deliver life-changing medicines to patients worldwide. As a global, science-led biopharmaceutical companywith an exciting androbustportfolioofnearly 200investigational therapiesat varied stages of clinical development(including>20atlate-stage),we transform pioneering research into breakthrough treatments across oncology, cardiovascular, respiratory, and rare diseases. Here, your talent will contribute to innovations that truly matter—helping us reimagine healthcare and create a healthier future for all!

Introduction to role:

We areseekinga highly skilled and motivated leader to join the Chemistry functionwithin AstraZeneca’s Chemical Development department asDirector – Process Design and Optimisation 

Are you ready to apply yourextensiveleadershipskillsanddrug developmentexperience,toguide andinspireourchemists inprocess design and optimisation,turningbold science into reliable medicines for patients?AsDirector (senior team manager),you willset the technical direction formodernprocess design and optimisation,whilstleadingyourteamto deliverhigh quality, robustsustainablecommercial processes,manufacturing campaigns, controlstrategiesand future-proofed regulatorysubmissions. Throughexploitinginnovative science,cutting edgetechnologies andAI /data-driven solutions, you willempower your team toreduce riskandshorten timelines,enablingconfident clinical supply and launch

Accountabilities:

Through leadinga process design and optimisation team in Chemistry,you willdrive

Technical excellence in project delivery:

• Applyingyour experience to successfulaccountability fordrug projectsatbothChemistry SectionandChemical Development functional levels

• Acting as a source of expert guidance fordevelopment of chemical processes,technologytransferand clinical drug substance manufactureboth internally and externally. You willfacilitateon-time, right qualityclinicalAPIsuppliesandstrong data packages, designedto seamlesslysupportonwardprocesscharacterisation and finalisation 

• Delivery of CMC regulatory submissions for clinical and marketingphases–guiding and supportingauthorship ofdrug substance submissionsanddevelopingharmonisedcontrol strategiesat thesubstance-productinterface. Acting as anexperiencedreviewer,you will reducerisk and seekopportunitiesto drivethe bestoutcome for the business, viaexcellence inauthorshipandresponse to regulatory questions

Seniorline-management ofaChemistrytechnicalteam, including:

• Sophisticated coaching and mentoring to support professional developmentof~8-10highly skilled scientists andscientificleaders,up to and including Principal Scientist level

• Advanced performance management – goal setting and regular feed-forward to drive high impact contributions at all levels,generatingimpactful, meaningful career pathways foreach member of your team

• Mentorship, coaching andonboarding of first-time team leadersandsupport and guidance forour wider chemistry team manager community

• Drivingkey elements ofSHEandcGxPcompliance forourChemistrysection 

Contributing to key elements ofourChemistryStrategy including:

• Identification and execution of improvement programmes to enhance the capability and capacity of the Chemistry function to deliver their contribution to drug substance projects,through strong career pathways for our people

• Working across the section tospecificallychampionintegration of innovative route design and process design, with associated support formodern business processes includingscale-up assessment and control strategy development. Employingcutting edgeAI / data techniques whereappropriate, you will drive efficiency across the process design and optimisation areafor the business

• Understanding the external scienceand technology landscape to champion innovation and curiosity withinprocess design and optimisation,you will workacross interfaces toimprovestandards and ways of workingwhichimpactacross the whole projectlifecycle
  

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Degree, PhDor equivalent experience in Chemistry, plusanadditional8+years’ experience in synthetic drug substance pharmaceutical development

• Proven high-impact people leadership experience, witha trackrecordof delivery atAssociate Director(Team Manager)level; effectivelymanaging,coachingand developing scientific teamsto deliver complexprojects

• Expertisein development and scale-up of synthetic chemistry to deliver commerciallyviablemanufacturing processesin mid-to-late phase development, including advancedunderstanding ofprocess designand optimisation.Proven experience incollaboration withinterface groupssuch asanalytical chemistry, chemical engineering, particlescienceand drug productin order toachieve your goals

• Strong understandingand experience of deliveryacrossthe drug development process, especially late-stage development to support Phase 3 clinical studies and launch,including control strategy development

• Strong project management skills developed through personal leadership and delivery of drug projects, as well as thecapability to support multiple projects simultaneously within the team

• ProvenCMC-wideexperienceand an appreciation of how to generatethe best impact for patients.Demonstrated application ofthis experience tohigh qualityregulatory delivery throughauthoring and reviewing module 3.2 regulatory submissionsand/or response to health authority questions

• Demonstrated experience of managing change through continuous improvement, increasing efficiency and with measurable impact inside and outsideofaChemical Development setting

• Track recordof driving the introduction of digital approaches and new synthetic / manufacturing platforms or technologies, and examples of publicising these achievements to the outside world 

• Extensiveexperience of leading seniorscientificstaff/ peersto deliverhigh impact improvements to ways of working,as well as projects in both an internal and external development and manufacturing setting

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 challengeperceptions.That'swhy we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But thatdoesn'tmeanwe'renot flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world!

***Please note: we operate a rolling recruitment process and may close this vacancy early if a strong candidate is identified. Early applications are strongly encouraged.

Competitive salary and benefits package on offer.

The successful candidate will have access to a flexible employee benefits fund, including holiday purchase and flexible time off, pension contributions, Share Save Plans, a performance recognition scheme and a competitive, generous remuneration package

Why AstraZeneca:

Here, your leadership turns complex science into dependable supply for patients worldwide. You will work with pioneering chemistry, digital technologies, and lean principles, side by side with colleagues who put unexpected teams in the same room to crack tough problems. With a truly global network and strong investment in people and modern facilities, you will grow your impact and your career—learning from diverse teams, shaping standards across sites, and contributing to a more sustainable future. We value kindness alongside ambition, andweback decisive leaders who take ownership and deliver outcomes that matter.

Call to Action:

Step forward to lead the chemistry that scales breakthrough molecules into life-changing medicines—and shapewhat’snext!