Director, R&D IT – Cell Therapy Project Management

Introduction to role

The R&D IT Cell Therapy Project Management Director is responsible for leading a series of interrelated global projects and programs with a total value of up to $10M. This role ensures project accountability from initiation through to closure, delivering effective IT solutions that meet the prioritized needs of the cell therapy R&D sector.

Accountabilities

• Oversee the determination and delivery of solutions within approved budget and schedule constraints, ensuring compliance with required quality standards.

• Focus on stakeholder management, risk management, and the realization of business benefits.

• Adhere to established project management standards and contribute to the continuous development of project/program management capabilities.

• Build and nurture relationships with business and IT leaders to support strategic planning and project prioritization, ensuring alignment with the organization's strategic goals.

• Apply robust knowledge of portfolio management to enhance practices, standards, reporting, and tools.

• Act as a leader and advocate, working collaboratively within a business-facing R&D IT cell therapy team.

• Oversee, drive, and approve plans for projects/programs, including activities, resources, costs, roles, responsibilities, and quality as defined in the IT Project Management Methodology (ADF).

• Manage and coordinate project/program budgets, forecasts, tasks, schedules, risks, change management, and status to support effective decisions and project reporting to stakeholders and review boards.

• Manage and coordinate interdependencies between projects and program workstreams (both intra-program and across the portfolio).

• Manage relationships with senior business stakeholders to ensure effective capturing of business requirements and commitment to project/program objectives. Responsible for steering/stakeholder meetings and communication of status, issues, and risks.

• Drive effective risk and issue management, ensuring processes are in place and effectively used. Ensure problems are resolved and escalate as appropriate.

• Build a cohesive project/program team and provide the leadership necessary to maximize the team’s success.

• Own project/program improvement plans and oversee the execution of remediation plans.

• Manage changes to project/program scope, ensuring that all impacts and changes are approved and appropriately communicated to stakeholders and review boards.

• Assure/develop service transition plans to ensure project-delivered solutions are sustainable within a BAU operations environment, including controlled hand-over into operational support.

• Ensure the project team adheres to all standards, including ADF, quality, and compliance, as well as processes, defined technical capabilities, and best practices. Establish program governance and lead Decision Point reviews; attend Steering Committee meetings.

• Ensure expected benefits realization is consistent with project deliverables and clearly understood by stakeholders and the project team.

• Support/lead the development of a world-class center of excellence for project management capabilities and ensure that best practices are adopted and reinforced.

Essential Skills/Experience

• College / University Degree – Science, Technical or Business

• 8+ years of proven relevant experience as a project / programme manager, or equivalent role

• Proven skills and experience managing and controlling large project, programme and portfolio budgets

• Experience managing and leading global project teams

• Evidence of shaping innovative solutions that have a major impact within the business area and organization

• Experience working in a global organization where stakeholders and project team members are geographically dispersed

• Experience at the associate director or equivalent level in a major biopharmaceutical company, or manager-level experience in a major consulting firm

• Project/Program Management certifications (APM/PMI)

• Portfolio Management certification

• Experience with JIRA

• Experience with SNOW PPM (project and portfolio budget and resource management)

• Strong understanding of the biopharmaceutical R&D process and data

• Strong Project and Programme Management Skills

• A capable knowledge of Financial Management and Benefits Delivery practices

• Agile and Waterfall project management methodology experience

• Broad understanding of IT systems and technology implemented within a business context.

• Excellent communication and relationship management skills

• Strong knowledge and experience with internal and external suppliers and solutions

• Excellent business acumen with sensitivity to environment

• Knowledge of GxP and SaMD standards

Desirable Skills/Experience

• PhD in a scientific or technical field, or an MBA

• Strong Portfolio Management Skills

• Business Case Development

• Demonstrated leadership skills interacting with senior leaders

• Lean & Six Sigma Skills

The annual base pay for this position ranges from 142,740.80 - 214,111.20 USD Annual (80% - 120%). Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. 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 pay (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. 

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.

At AstraZeneca, we leverage technology to impact patients' lives directly. Our purpose-led global organization pushes the boundaries of science to discover life-changing medicines. We combine cutting-edge science with leading digital technology platforms to empower our business to perform at its peak. Join us at this crucial stage of our journey in becoming a digital and data-led enterprise. Here you can innovate, take ownership, explore new solutions, experiment with leading-edge technology, and tackle challenges in a modern technology environment.

Ready to make an impact? Apply now!

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 authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.