Senior Director, Business Transformation

Senior Director, Business Transformation

Gaithersburg, (USA) Mississauga, (Canada)

Do you have an organizational mindset and -can-do attitude that enables you to deliver positive outcomes on high impact and complex projects? Are you looking to join a growing team that will design and deliver value-driven change to an organization?

About AstraZeneca

At AstraZeneca, we are proud of our ground-breaking pipeline and continue to look for new ways to bring the best medicines to patients. We are building and fostering high-performing collaborative teams across the organization to help us deliver on our ambition. There’s no better time to join our global, growing enterprise as we lead the way for patients, healthcare and broader society.

Enterprise Business Transformation team

Our team sits at the center of the enterprise, identifying and driving transformative opportunities for the entire organization. We lead cross-functional and enterprise-wide initiative to deliver transformative value and ensure we are at our best in delivering life saving medicines to patients.

What you’ll do

In this role, you will report to the Head of Business Transformation and be accountable for the strategic and operational design and delivery of organizational transformation and change management projects. You’ll play a pivotal role collaborating with teams across the enterprise, while driving operational excellence, owning process improvements, optimizing strategic planning, and implementing change plans for the successful adoption and integration of the transformation.

Responsibilities include:

Proactively identify and shape new enterprise initiatives: Scan internal and external environments to spot emerging trends, technologies, and inefficiencies, turning insights into actionable initiatives that drive future value. Build strong connection with functional leadership teams and act as a thought partner in shaping new cross-functional initiatives and opportunities.

• Stay informed about industry shifts, market dynamics, and innovation trends.

• Encourage curiosity and experimentation to uncover new ways of creating impact.

Shape and communicate strategic priorities and impact for transformation: Actively defines the desired outcome-based future state, articulates the purpose behind the change, and ensures every initiative directly supports the organization’s long-term objectives.

• Build the business case for change, including senior executive level presentations to make the case for investment

• See the “big picture” and understand how different parts of the organization interconnect.

• Identify long-term opportunities and anticipate future challenges.

Lead and manage change through effective stakeholder engagement: Build trust by listening to concerns, aligning diverse perspectives, and guiding people through uncertainty using structured change management approaches.

• Apply proven change management frameworks (e.g., ADKAR, Kotter’s 8 Steps).

• Develop and manage stakeholder engagement plan, building trust and alignment at all levels of the organization

Shape and communicate the change narratives: Translate complex transformation goals into clear, inspiring messages that motivate teams, reinforce progress, and sustain belief in the vision.

• Build communication and engagement plan in line with change management and delivery roadmap

• Tailor communication to different audiences, from executives to frontline teams.

• Create consistent, compelling narratives to maintain momentum and buy-in.

Drive execution through rigorous project and program management: Organize cross-functional efforts, monitor progress against key milestones, and ensure that resources, risks, and dependencies are effectively managed to deliver measurable outcomes.

• Own and drive complex transformational programs and workstreams

• Apply appropriate project management methodologies (Agile, Lean, PMBOK).

• Define KPIs and methodology for continuous monitoring and evaluation, taking action where needed to pivot and ensure ongoing progress

• Manage budgets, timelines, dependencies, and risks with precision.

Adapt quickly and make data-informed decisions: Continuously assess progress, learn from results, and use data insights to pivot strategies, ensuring the transformation stays relevant and impactful in a changing environment.

• Embrace ambiguity and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

• Analyze performance data to guide actions and demonstrate progress.

• Demonstrate resilience by sustaining momentum through setbacks, rapidly adapting plans with data-driven decisions, and role‑modeling transparent, trust‑building communication to maintain delivery confidence.

Collaborate in building a transformation community of practice: Create spaces for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capability building, fostering a culture where transformation expertise is shared and continuously developed across the organization.

• Lead forums or networks to connect practitioners and share best practices

• Embed upskilling opportunities, coach and mentor more junior colleagues to help strengthen collective transformation capability

Essential for the Role:

• Minimum 5-7 years professional experience in management consultancy and/or leading transformation programs

• Graduate degree (MBA, Masters, MD or PhD preferred)

• Strong analytical and communication skills

• Effective interpersonal and relationship management skills with consultative approach and ability to interact and build trust

• Operational effectiveness, highly organized process with follow through

• Strong initiative to understand our core business goals and establish processes or programs to set direction, generate alignment and push forward

• Financial background and understanding of forecasts, budgets, financial activities and tools

• Resourceful, motivated, influential and proactive; able to prioritize in a fast-growing organization

• Experience in strategic planning processes and tools and/or project management tools

Desirable for the Role

• Background/ experience in life sciences

• Understanding of the pharmaceutical business (including R&D, Operations, Commercial)

• Experience in leading and managing alliances or strategic partnerships

• Experience in translating business needs into a coordinated business proposal and plan for cross-functional senior leadership team

• Ability to develop creative and simple solutions to complex problems

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, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.

So, what’s next?

Are you ready to bring new ideas and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant! We have one seat available, and we hope it’s yours.

Where can I find out more?

Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn

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Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.