Vice President, Haematology R&D Projects

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. We are more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.

AstraZeneca has a multifaceted environment that cultivates collaboration and innovation. We attract top minds, and we nurture and build talent.

Within Haematology R&D, we are committed to advancing the science to deliver life-changing medicines to patients most in need. With a combination-focused pipeline that exploits the power of six scientific platforms (Immuno-Oncology, Tumor Drivers and Resistance, DNA Damage Response, Antibody-drug Conjugates, Cell Therapy and Epigenetics) to help address unmet clinical needs in a host of hematological cancers, we are motivated by a dedication to the scientific discovery and collaboration that will one day help eliminate cancer as a cause of death. This unit has responsibility for the value chain from discovery through to late-stage development, enabling rapid acceleration of promising early-stage assets and life-cycle management programs.

The Haematology Research and Development (R&D) team is accountable for all drug development activities in haematology research from first-in-man studies, all the way to late-stage trials leading to drug approval by regulatory agencies (Phase 1, 2, and 3 trials). The team strives to deliver compelling preclinical, clinical, and translational data packages providing confidence in the dosing strategy, tolerability profile, and therapeutic efficacy of our candidate drugs to support investment in late-stage clinical development, leading to drug approval.

As we focus more on disease specific strategies, there is a need for a highly qualified VP of Projects candidate who can partner with the Head of Clinical Development and Oncology Strategy on program specific and combination strategies; prioritizing the portfolio and communicating strategies down to project teams and other senior stakeholders across Oncology R&D, Oncology’s Business Unit, and the enabling functions.

As VP of Projects, you will have primary responsibility for providing the scientific project leadership necessary to produce a competitive portfolio of Haematology medicines.  Your responsibilities will include the leadership and mentoring of the Global Project Leaders, driving the delivery of the portfolio of projects, working closely on portfolio transitions to late phase, communication internally and externally about key portfolio progressions, coordination of the portfolio prioritization and close collaboration with Haematology leadership team, leaders of Oncology functions, and their teams to enable effective and innovative program delivery. 

Typical Accountabilities:

• The VP of Projects will lead the overall portfolio prioritization; partnering with the Haematology Leadership Team, Haematology Global Clinical Heads, the Oncology R&D Leadership Team, and the Global Portfolio & Pipeline Management organization to better prioritize our internal portfolio, Business Development opportunities, and to ensure programs are developing in-line with our disease strategies. The VP of Projects will be accountable for the prioritization of the Haematology Discovery portfolio and the Early and Late Clinical Portfolio to drive acceleration of our pipeline and approvals.
• Responsible for the line management of Global Project Leads and a Senior Portfolio Manager, this role will report directly into the Senior Vice President of Haematology and will be an executive-level role on the Haematology Leadership Team.
• This role will be accountable for improving the current operating model, accelerating delivery timelines, standardizing, and streamlining Global Project Team processes, and mentoring the Global Project Leads to enable effective leadership and execution of our Haematology projects.
• Most senior point of contact for assets and key portfolio progressions, both internally and externally
• Represents the Projects team at governance and advisory meetings.
• Ensures departmental goals and targets are achieved and the performance of individuals is managed effectively.

Essential Qualifications:

• MD/PhD or both, with a minimum of 10 experience in industry.
• Deep understanding of Oncology drug development
• A deep and broad understanding of the global pharmaceutical industry and of the key value creating processes within the industry
• Experience leading Oncology Scientific Projects across Discovery through to late phase development and working in a dynamic global environment
• Extensive leadership and line management experience, with excellent communication skills are required

Next Steps- Apply Today!

To be considered for this exciting opportunity, please complete the full application on our website at your earliest convenience – it is the only way that our Recruiter and Hiring Manager can know that you feel well qualified for this opportunity.  If you know someone who would be a great fit, please share this posting with them.

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer. AstraZeneca will consider all qualified applicants for employment without discrimination on grounds of disability, sex or sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity leave status, race or national or ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, gender identity or re-assignment, marital or civil partnership status, protected veteran status (if applicable) or any other characteristic protected by law.