Executive Director, Clinical Operations Program Management (CVRM)

Job Title: Executive Director, Clinical Operations Program Management (CVRM)

Possible Locations:Gaithersburg, MD or Boston, MA | BioPharma R&D

About the role: We are seeking a motivated, collaborative, data‑driven enterprise leader to shape and deliver the Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolic (CVRM) clinical operations portfolio. As Executive Director, Clinical Operations Program Management, you will lead Senior/Global Program Directors across early and late development, translate CVRM strategy into clear operational objectives, and drive disciplined, insight‑led decision‑making to deliver trials to time, quality, and cost.

What you’ll do

• Leadership and People
  • Functional leadership: line‑manage and develop Program Management Senior Directors; recruit, resource plan, and build capabilities.
  • Coaching and culture: mentor teams, champion new ways of working, foster collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Portfolio Strategy and Delivery
  • Strategy translation: convert CVRM strategy into forward‑looking clinical operations objectives across early and late programs.
  • Operational excellence: ensure robust strategic and operational planning; lead operational planning reviews; secure successful asset transitions from CDID to Phase III.
  • Performance: deliver portfolio to time, quality, and cost; proactively identify trends, risks, and opportunities using internal and external data.
• Cross‑Functional Influence and Governance
  • Enterprise impact: represent Clinical Operations at governance and decision bodies (e.g., DRC, PRC); serve on Steering Committees and cross‑functional initiatives.
  • Best practices: drive clarity and consistency across strategic processes; establish standards for trial delivery; share lessons learned across TAs.
• Advanced Analytics and Innovation
  • Insight‑driven recommendations: conduct rigorous analyses to inform resourcing and delivery optimization; provide clear, actionable guidance to leadership.
  • AI enablement: leverage AI and advanced analytics to enhance efficiency of clinical operations resources and decision quality.
• External Engagement
  • Partnerships: engage AROs, CROs, labs, KEEs, and development partners; represent Clinical Operations at congresses, investigator meetings, and with health authorities.

Minimum qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s/Master’s in a related discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience: extensive global drug development leadership across early and late phase; significant program management with complex projects (resourcing, financials, business cases).
• Expertise: strong understanding of complex study design, TPPs, CDPs, competitive dynamics, pricing, market access, and global regulatory environments.
• Skills: strategic influencing, clear and organized thinking, financial evaluation of assets/brands, business planning, high‑impact communication and presentation.
• Leadership: proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop diverse high‑performing teams; collaborate across disciplines; plan, prioritize, and deliver.
• Digital: comfortable utilizing AI for ethical, accurate data analyses.
• Travel: willingness for domestic and international travel.

Preferred qualifications

• Process transformation: driving efficiency and implementing new ways of working.
• Regulatory: submission experience; insights from Japan and China delivery.
• Change leadership: leading teams through change; clinical environment insight.

Impact: This role sits on the CVRM Clinical Operations Leadership Team and the BioPharmaceuticals Clinical Operations Extended Leaders Community, shaping strategy and execution across a high‑visibility portfolio that advances patient outcomes globally.

If you’re a strategic, insight‑driven leader who thrives on complex portfolio delivery and cross‑functional influence, we invite you to apply and help transform CVRM clinical operations.

Hybrid Model:

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 challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Pay Transparency: The annual base pay for this position ranges from 284,381 - 426,572 annual USD. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.  In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors. 

Why AstraZeneca:
Here, science moves with purpose and pace. We blend deep biological insight with digital, data science and AI to turn promising ideas into therapies that make a real difference for people living with complex diseases. By bringing unexpected teams together, partnering across industry and academia, and listening to patients, we create the conditions for bold decisions and swift progress. You will find ambition balanced with kindness, curiosity coupled with resilience, and the support to grow while you drive impact across a pipeline designed to reach more patients, faster.

Call to Action:
Step into a role where your leadership shapes how trials run and how rapidly patients see the benefits—bring your strategic mindset and build the future of CVRM delivery with us!

Date Posted

Closing Date

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.