Senior Director, Portfolio Excellence and Transformation

Senior Director, Portfolio Excellence and Transformation

Gaithersburg, MD

Global Portfolio & Project Management

Hybrid Work- on average 3 days/week in office

Gaithersburg is the preferred location for thisrole,however, applicants from Cambridge, Boston,Barcelonaand Mississauga will also be considered.

AstraZeneca Oncology is leading a revolution to redefine cancer care with a portfolio of launched products providing transformative outcomes for patients around the world and a full suite of modalitiesfuellingfuture innovative treatments. In Global Portfolio and Project Management (GPPM), we play a critical role in advancing the pipeline by closely partnering with Research & Development, Commercial and Operations to support decision-making, project management, resourcemanagementand governance across the AstraZeneca portfolio. Come join a team-oriented and fast-paced environment that requires integrity, problemsolvingand agility!

The Senior Director, Portfolio Excellence & Transformation is a senior enterprise leadership role created to fundamentallyimprovehowGPTs deliverat scaleto helpacceleratethe Oncology pipeline.Thisis a transformation role for someone who can see what is possible, build the case for change, and bring people with them. Reporting to the Head of Oncology Portfolio Strategy and Management, this individual will lead the Portfolio Excellence and Innovation agenda across GPPM Oncology, defining where AI, advanced analytics, and modern ways of working can create the greatest step-change inGPT ways-of-working,portfolio decision-making, process quality, and organisational efficiency, and expand the impact to other TAs where appropriate. They will translate that ambition into reality through collaboration, influence, and a focus on impact.

What you'll do

Portfolio Excellence and Innovation Strategy

• Define and own the Portfolio Excellence and Innovation agenda for GPPM Oncology — setting a clear,prioritisedvision for where AI, analytics, and process transformation will deliver the greatest impact

• Identifyhigh-value opportunities across the drug development and portfolio management lifecycle, from decision support and scenario modelling to process simplification and capability building, and drive the delivery of high-impact initiatives

• Stayclosely connectedto the externallandscape, bringingin emerging thinking, technologies, and best practice to continuously improve how GPPM can deliver

AI-Enabled Transformation

• Lead the design, piloting, and scaling of AI-enabled capabilities that improve the speed, quality, and consistency ofGPT ways-of-working andEnterpriseportfolio decision-making

• Partner with Digital, Data Science, IT, GlobalBusinessServicesandR&Dteams to co-develop solutions that are robust, scalable, and embedded into day-to-day ways of working

• Drive adoption through demonstrated value, clear communication, building genuine enthusiasm fornew approachesacross theorganisation

• Establish guardrails and governance to ensure AI innovation improves decision quality and accountability

Process Excellence and Simplification

• Lead identification and delivery of high-value simplification opportunities acrossGPT,portfolio and business cycle processes — reducing complexity, duplication, and friction

• Work with GPPM leads and business partners to challenge existing ways of working and build the case for redesign

• Embed a continuous improvement approach across the team, creating frameworks that enable ongoing evolution rather than one-time fixes

Enterprise Influence and Capability Building

• Operate as an enterprise-level influencer, building partnerships across Oncology, GPPM, and beyond to drive adoption ofnew approachesat pace and scale

• Build capability across GPPM and partner teams through coaching, toolkits, and success stories that make innovation tangible and accessible

• Represent GPPM Oncology in cross-enterprise forums related to digital transformation, AI governance, and portfolio management capability

Essential for the role

• Bachelors degree in Science, Business,Financeor similar subject

• 10+ years of experience in a global biopharmaceutical environment, with deep understanding of drug development, portfolio management, and enterprise business cycles and direct experience working with R&D cross-functional teams

• Proventrack recordof leading and delivering enterprise-level transformation with measurable, lasting impact

• Proven ability to bridge business and technical domains, credible with both senior business leaders and technical specialists, acting as an effective translator between the two. You'll understand the business deeply, can speak the language of technology without being defined by it, and know how to move a large, complex organisation from where it is to where it needs to be.

• Exceptional influencing skills and ability to mobilise cross-functional teams of various skills and capabilities and drive delivery

• Strong prioritisation and strategic thinking, ability toidentifywhere innovation creates the most value and build a compelling case for action

• Excellent communication skills, and ability to simplify complex ideas, tell stories that land, and build organisational energy around a shared vision

• A catalyst for ideas, for adoption, for lasting change, andthe ability to bring stakeholders on a journey from awareness to conviction to action

Desirable for the role

• Advanced degree in a scientific field and/or MBA

• Direct experience designing or deploying AI or advanced analytics solutions in a drug development or portfolio management context

• Track recordof building and developing high-performing teams in an innovation or transformation context

Office Working Requirements

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.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $206,993.60 - 310,490.40 USD. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans. ​

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