Associate Director Global Project Management

At AstraZeneca, we pride ourselves on crafting a collaborative culture that champions knowledge-sharing, ambitious thinking and innovation – ultimately providing employees with the opportunity to work across teams, functions and even the globe.

Recognizing the importance of individualized flexibility, our ways of working allow employees to balance personal and work commitments while ensuring we continue to create a strong culture of collaboration and teamwork by engaging face-to-face in our offices 3 days a week. Our head office and BlueSky Hub in downtown Toronto are purposely designed with collaboration in mind, providing space where teams can come together to strategize, brainstorm and connect on key projects.

Our dedication to sustainability is also central to our culture and part of what makes AstraZeneca a great place to work. We know the health of people, the planet and our business are interconnected which is why we’re taking ambitious action to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time, from climate change to access to healthcare and disease prevention.

Are you ready to lead and inspire global, cross-functional drug development teams? As the Associate Director of Global Project Management (GPM), you will play a pivotal role in steering these teams towards achieving strategic objectives and delivering key milestones in development, regulatory, and commercial domains. With a comprehensive view of the drug project, you will work across all functions, complementing the Global Project Leader by providing top-level oversight and integration throughout the development process and into commercialization. Depending on the stage of development and project complexity, you will manage one or more cross-functional early or late Global Project Teams (GPTs), ensuring best practices in project management are upheld within AstraZeneca. This highly visible role is critical to delivering innovative medicines to patients, making a significant impact on their lives.

Accountabilities

Strategic Business Partnership

• Provide input into project strategy & vision through expertise in project management, navigating therapy area and corporate governance processes.
• Ensure alignment of project and operational deliverables to the team’s strategy.
• Share lessons learned and communicate them where relevant.
• Manage or lead elements of the team’s development plan or strategy as delegated by the Global Project Leader.
• Ensure appropriate linkages between project strategy and key internal processes and update relevant enterprise systems.
• Interface with alliance partners where applicable.
• Partner with Business Development to provide project input to potential deal cases.

Cross-functional Team Leadership and Delivery

• Manage cross-functional drug development teams and sub-teams, ensuring an accurate and achievable project plan.
• Act as a core GPT member, driving efficient operation of early and/or late-stage GPTs including overall plans, priorities, budget, and risk management.
• Accountable for driving an effective, efficient team environment and helping the Global Project Leader build a cohesive, high-performing team.
• Facilitate GPT and sub-teams towards successful decision-making and issue resolution.
• Create and manage effective communication processes within the team.
• Proactively ensure the set-up and maintenance of information management practices in line with AZ best practice.

Governance and Investment Decisions

• Facilitate GPT towards effective governance decisions and lead development of investment decision documentation.
• Integrate and provide information to both the team and senior management/governance bodies for efficient decision-making.

Planning, Monitoring, and Delivery

• Ensure overall GPT deliverables, budgets, schedules, and performance standards are realistically set, governance approved, and attained.
• Maintain plans of the highest data quality, accountable for all project management deliverables associated with GPTs or sub-teams covered.

Entrepreneurship

• Seek opportunities to drive positive change and remove barriers within and outside the team.
• Advocate company standard processes.
• Apply business knowledge to drive cross-functional and cross-project learning.

Essential Skills/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of experience supporting cross-functional drug development teams or leading sub-teams.
• Project Management experience with a successful track record of delivering projects within agreed time, quality, and cost.
• Experience with project management tools and processes.
• Ability to manage high-performing teams with expertise in developing effective team operations.
• Ability to work effectively with senior collaborators.
• Experience ensuring high-quality data in enterprise systems.
• Strong information management skills, including use of modern collaboration tools such as SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, and OneNote.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Advanced degree in a scientific field and/or MBA.
• 7+ years’ relevant experience.
• In-depth knowledge of drug development process with therapeutic area-specific knowledge and experience.
• Project Management (PMP) Certification.

Great People want to Work with us! Find out why:

• GTAA Top Employer Award for 11 years
• Top 100 Employers Award
• Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture
• Learn more about working with us in Canada
• View our YouTube channel

Are you interested in working at AZ, apply today!

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination. AstraZeneca is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Such accommodation is available on request in respect of all aspects of the recruitment, assessment and selection process and may be requested by emailing AZCHumanResources@astrazeneca.com.

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Date Posted

18-Nov-2025

Closing Date

24-Nov-2025

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.

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.