Director of Project Controls – Global Operations

Do you describe yourself as a team-player with strong leadership qualities, who want to empower teams to deliver project portfolios that lead to developing life changing medicines? If you have the aim and passion to contribute to making people’s lives better – then this is the place for you!

At AstraZeneca, we’re not afraid to do things differently. We’re building a new kind of Organisation to reset expectations of what a pharmaceutical company can be. This means we’re opening up new ways to work, pioneering innovating methods and bringing unexpected teams together.

Global Engineering & Real Estate (GERE) play a fundamental role in supporting AstraZeneca’s strong medicines pipeline by delivering facilities and technology which meet the enterprise needs and realise business benefits across the small molecule and biologics product portfolio. The group has expertise in project management, engineering technology solutions, project control, built environment, compliance, construction management, process governance and corporate real estate. We have a very impressive global portfolio of capital projects, presently totalling >$1bn capital annual spend in 2026, ~$0.2bn of which is anticipated in Sweden. Joining GERE provides you with a world of opportunities to work on some of AstraZeneca’s most exciting capital projects and work with some of the most competent and passionate people in their fields.

Your Role

We’re seeking a leader with good experience in planning and cost management on capital projects in Sweden and the Nordic countries. As our new Director of Project Controls, you will have responsibility for leading the Sweden-based Project Controls team across planning, cost management, risk management, change management, and reporting on our major capital projects in-country. Alongside local duties, you will play a key role in a global Project Services team whilst also taking ownership of document management as global process owner, presenting the opportunity impact at a global scale. At present, we have c. 20 large projects at various stages in their lifecycle in Sweden, but with a sharply increasing trend; it is for this portfolio that you lead and deliver through the Project Controls team.

• Lead and manage the project controls team to deliver defined work processes and high-quality results for a regional portfolio of capital projects 

• Confirm regional portfolio resourcing needs (capabilities and timing) to support the project demand, coordinating with other functions e.g. estimating and planning, as required 

• Build capability and staff to support current work, future growth and long-term needs of the business. Lead the recruitment, training and development of internal resources. Support other business functions and/or sites with recruitment as needed 

• Ensure implementation of the technical direction and standards within the Project Services Operating Model 

• Accountable for quality of project controls stage-gate review documentation for internal governance / funding decisions 
• Act as functional lead for document management, globally 

• Take ownership for part(s) of the Project Services Operating Model as a Business Process Owner, accountable for process definition, assurance and continuous improvement 

• Collaborate with other Regional Project Controls Leads and provide direct support to the Director of Project Services 

• Lead and take responsibility for special projects and initiatives to support the organisation, as assigned 

• Participate in pharma industry or project control forums and conferences. Create and lead efforts for knowledge sharing 

• Interact with Project Managers and other technical leaders to develop more effective approaches to develop and implement projects 

Our ambition at GERE is to deliver capital projects flawlessly and consistently with a target to be in the top performers within the years to come; you will play a very important part in achieving these bold targets. As Director Project Controls, you will ensure implementation and consistency of all project control activities across the local portfolio, including sites in Södertalje and Gothenburg.

Essential for the role

We see that you will have experience in capital project planning and/or cost management and a passion for the Project Controls process. Experience with Engineering/Design and Construction as well as hands-on experience with cost and schedule risk analysis will also be needed to be successful in this role. Ideally you will have a degree in a business or engineering related field and/or education within Project Management, Construction

Management or Quantity Surveying. You must have excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and motivate internal/external teams and stakeholders. In addition:

• Self-starter and innovative with a strong sense of urgency
• Experience in various software systems including suite of Microsoft Office applications and reference documentation and awareness in major scheduling software (Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, etc.)
• Demonstrate record of delivering services for relevant project size & complexity
• Strong spoken and written English
• Team leadership experience, with strong initiative and leadership qualities and ability to handle service providers within for example construction management for delivery of Project control is preferred
• Experience leading and developing a team
• Fundamental knowledge in cost estimation, cost management and planning/scheduling and quantity surveying

Desirables for role

• Swedish language skills
• Pharmaceutical experience & knowledge
• Experience with Integrated project controls platforms/systems
• International project experience
• Understanding of the Swedish engineering/construction market and ways of working

Why AstraZeneca

Make an impact, here we ensure everyone can reach their full potential, perform at their best and make a valued contribution to the enterprise.

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!

Welcome with your application no later than 11th of January 2026.

Date Posted

11-dec.-2025

Closing Date

11-jan.-2026

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.