Director, Research GPM

This is what you will do:

The Director, Global Project Manager (GPM) is responsible for co-leading the strategic and operational planning and decision-making processes with the Discovery and early stage Global Program Team (eGPT).Working in partnership with the early Program Team Leader (eGPTL), the GPM provides strategic vision and guidance to the team by developing integrated plans to successfully execute the strategy. The Director, GPM provides content expertise to the timing, costs, and resources required for development programs and is able to successfully deliver milestones and goals for their program(s). As the strategic partner and operational lead for discovery and research programs, the Director, GPM works to ensure that cross-functional teams operate effectively, fostering positive team dynamics, and championing Alexion’s operating model. The Director, GPM leverages a strong background in science with exceptional program management skills to work in the Global Portfolio and Program Management function. This candidate should be goal oriented, disciplined, and have the ability to independently lead and manage discovery through pre-clinical and early-stage clinical programs. Experience in Genomic Medicine is a plus.

You will be responsible for:

• Lead and manage cross functional early Global Program teams (eGPTs) to develop project strategy and ensure that the strategy is translated into a robust project plan with tangible deliverables. 
• Coordinate and drive teams to proactively plan project activities as well as track and monitor project progress. Work with teams to identify risks, criteria for decision making and reporting.
• Lead and facilitate cross-functional team meetings, creating forums for presentation of new information, timely decision making, risk mitigation and action items and responsiveness to the daily tasks.
• Summarize complex topics and relay information regarding project status, risks, issues, decisions, etc. to team members, senior leadership, and staff as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain program timelines, budget, resource planning, and investment assumptions in partnership with finance to ensure transparency and accuracy of funding status.
• Providing strategic guidance to ‘pressure-test’ program team’s assumptions, drive scenario planning / trade off analysis, and cross-functional planning into the overall integrated program plan
• Work independently to provide best in class operations and program management expertise to drive the eGPT toward execution excellence.
• Facilitate team goal setting and tracking to ensure adherence to plan and strategy and in preparation for end of year team evaluation process
• Deliver project management excellence and apply project management tools as required. Responsibilities include creation and input into processes and tools necessary to manage projects and communicate program and portfolio status and actively drive the pipeline progression.
• Communicate program details, risks, and mitigations to Leadership Teams.
• Lead team through annual business processes including long term planning, prioritization, risk identification and budget development.
• Prepare the eGPT for governance interactions at program inflection points
• When needed, work with program sub-team leads from all functions to support outsourced work related to program deliverables.
• Work with eGPT and sub-team members to create a highly functional and effective team environment. Develop strong and trusting relationships with team members.
• Interact with support functions such as legal, finance, and operations to ensure transparency, alignment and prioritization for programs within the portfolio.
• Bring project management leadership and expertise in the assessment and integration of external assets into the Alexion Research pipeline.
• Lead and manage external collaborations, in partnership with teams and senior leaders, with a variety of external partners including academics and industrial partners, as needed.
• Representing the vision and mission of the department to the Alexion organization and provide mentorship to junior staff.         

You will need to have:

Given the complex, cross-functional, and cross-program nature of development programs; the GPM will need to execute in these core competencies:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required, with higher level degree preferred
• >10 years of industry experience, 8 of which should be in managing cross-functional teams 10+ years of experience within one or more functional role(s) in pharmaceutical R&D drug development, biotechnology, or related industry
• 3+ years of direct experience in program management or scientific leadership roles in a cell-therapy, genomic medicine, or equivalent
• Excellent written and verbal skills, and strong interpersonal skills
• Must be well organized and have strong attention to detail with an ability to deal with competing priorities
• High level of problem-solving capability and business acumen
• Ability to balance competing priorities while quickly and objectively driving the team towards a path which maximizes value
• Strong influencing and interpersonal skills to operate and motivate a team in a matrix environment at all levels in the organization without direct authority
• Must be well organized and capable of maintaining the end-to-end cross-functional view
• Proven track in guiding teams through goal setting, planning, budgeting, timeline management, and transition through stage gates 
• Expert understanding of the end-to-end processes in Research drug development and product value assessment
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective program management leadership in terms of setting program plans for a program from discovery through early development
• Capable of working in a professional manner with Sr Leaders and teams including diplomacy, negotiation and listening skills
• Expertise in budget and resource management and prioritization frameworks
• Mastery of SharePoint, Microsoft Project, and knowledge of MS Project Server
• Technical proficiency in the use of program planning tools and systems (e.g. Microsoft Project, resource forecasting, decision analytics, budgets)
• High level of proficiency in MS Office software including Teams, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook, and Visio
• Leadership skills, personal integrity, and the ability to work well with others in a fast-paced environment is critical
• Experience with contractor management, familiarity with success factors

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working give 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.

We would prefer for you to have:

• MBA/M.S./M.A., or equivalent level of experience
• Project Management Institute (PMI) qualifications or similar formal training
• Genomic Medicine experience, having delivered programs from Research into Development early stage

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.