Project and Portfolio Management Director, OBU Global Medical Affairs

At AstraZeneca we work together across global boundaries to make an impact and find answers to challenges. We do this with the upmost integrity even in the most demanding situations because we are committed to doing the right thing.  We put patients first and follow the science to bring life-changing medicines to patients that need them.   

We are currently searching for a candidate who can drive strategic planning and execution of Oncology Business Unit (OBU) projects and accountabilities for the OBU Global Medical Affairs (GMA) organization which includes interfacing at a franchise level with cross-functional teams across OBU. The role includes project oversight and budget management, change management, and cross-functional coordination with other franchise medical teams.   This role reports directly to the Project Management Team Leader for OBU GMA and works closely with the GI Cancer and Emerging Portfolio franchise lead.  The position will be based in Gaithersburg, MD (USA) or Mississauga (Canada).   

The ideal candidate will be expected to work in a highly effective way with other project and medical leaders to develop integrated plans which can be delivered globally and across cross-functional boundaries.  The ideal candidates can demonstrate their critical thinking, ability to work collaboratively and act decisively to support the broader goals of OBU Medical as a whole.   

Accountabilities/responsibilities:

• Partners with the GI and Emerging Portfolio Franchise Head as a thought partner to execute on the portfolio tumour strategy synergistically across indications and optimizes global and local interfaces for execution 

• Facilitates overall budget and strategic workforce planning across the global franchise team including forecasting, phasing and prioritization across the business planning cycle 

• Drives strategic planning for key franchise team deliverables including development of Medical Plans, Evidence Generation plans, Study proposals, launch plans, Congress plans, and Scientific exchange plans 

• Facilitates Externally Sponsored Research Review Committee meetings for timely review and decisions on proposals within AZ 

• Creates and maintains project / deliverables dashboard for portfolio progress against scorecard objectives 

• Manages, trains, and develops a small team of Indication Project Managers (IPMs), assigning specific project responsibilities and creating a high performing team by building trust and providing mentorship 

• Partners with IPMs to drive efficient functioning of the Medical Implementation Teams (MITs) and ensure connectivity with Integrated Business Teams (IBTs) 

• Accountable for implementation of medical standards to ensure compliant functioning of the organization 

• Leads effective agenda driven meetings with the GMA GI Cancer and Emerging Portfolio leadership team, providing strategic input into meeting agendas and identifying and tracking decisions and actions for the team to monitor progression of activities 

• Coordinates senior leadership requests for presentations on key topics/initiatives 

• Drives continuous improvement on ways of working to share best practices to streamline and simplify the business processes 

• Leads key workstreams that drive improvements and change across the broader OBU or GMA organizations. 

Culture

• Encourages a vibrant, entrepreneurial and externally facing team focused on the delivery of successful projects and programs that support courageous leadership, innovation and collaboration 

• Collaborates strongly with other Project Leaders to define and embed best practice 

Education & Experience:

• Bachelors degree in business or life science.  MBA, Ph.D., or Pharm.D desired. 

• Minimum of 7 years experience in pharmaceutical industry or regulated medical products industry 

• Minimum of 3 years experience in Medical Affairs, Commercial, and R&D organizations (Global, regional, or local) 

• Minimum of 3 years demonstrated project management experience in a matrix environment. 

• Experience working with senior stakeholders 

• Comprehensive understanding of the development and commercialisation of pharmaceutical products  

• Experience of successful influencing cross functionally, cross-culturally and cross-brands 

• Experience of effective working in a multi-cultural, matrixed environment 

• Experience working in a global setting, managing stakeholders within different time zones 

• Experience preparing and/or delivering presentations to executive leadership 

Preferred Requirements:

• People management experience preferred but not required 

• Graduate level degree in sciences or business degree  

• Six Sigma Medical/Process Excellence and/or Project Management/PMP/FPX certification is a plus but not required 

• Depth of understanding of medical, scientific and/or commercial pharmaceutical marketplace of Oncology is a plus 

Knowledge/Skills/Competencies:

• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills 

• Skilled in change management including process development and implementation, people development, organizational effectiveness, and communication 

• Able to deliver high quality work outputs despite ambiguity or ever-changing environment 

• Delivery focus with an ability to oversee and manage multiple project deliverables in very short timelines 

• Interpersonal skills with an ability to display a variety of leadership styles dependent upon the situation 

• Evidence of the ability to pull together diverse teams over whom they have no line management responsibility in a matrix environment (i.e. Ability to influence and drive for results) 

• Demonstrated knowledge and very wide understanding of global business context 

• An excellent communicator; evidence of strong independence and innovative seeker of strategic solutions; forward looking 

• Strong leadership attributes to clarify strategic direction, generate commitment, balance short and long-term needs, resolve differences constructively, and reinforce expectations 

At AstraZeneca, you will draw on the brightest and most diverse minds to impact at scale. In our dynamic environment, you will be supported by the brightest minds working together side by side. Agile and collaborative, we work cross-functionally as well as externally to thrive at pace. Driven by our growth mindset, we harness our truly global, diverse minds to share expertise and skills as we learn from our failures. It’s why we work seamlessly and inclusively as true partners with Research & Development, and across the rest of the business, to impact at scale. We are always expanding our network – whether that’s with global professional networks, research centers, academia or patient communities.

Join us on this exciting journey! Apply now to be part of our team.