At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic partnerships and drive operational excellence in pharma R&D.
- Company: Join a world-class R&D hub at AstraZeneca, fostering innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on inclusivity and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in drug development while working with global teams.
- Qualifications: Senior experience in alliance management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: Cambridge, UK (3 days on site per week)
Are you energised by building high performing partnerships and driving operational excellence at scale? Do you have a strong background in alliance management within outsourced service models in pharma R&D? We’re recruiting a Director, Alliance Management to serve as Alliance Lead for one or more strategic partnerships with Contract Research Organisations (CROs), ensuring partners meet customer needs, deliver to contract, and that governance, communication, and relationship health are best-in-class.
This position is based at our Cambridge Biomedical Campus, a world-class R&D hub where cross functional teams, from clinical operations and data science to regulatory and quality, work together to advance innovative medicines. In this role, you will collaborate across regions and time zones, engaging global stakeholders and supplier leadership to align on strategy, governance, and continuous improvement, while leveraging Cambridge’s R&D hub’s vibrant ecosystem and facilities, as well connections with AstraZeneca’s cross-functional teams.
Accountabilities:
- Supplier/Model Governance: Lead alliance management for assigned suppliers and service lines; own operational governance, risk identification/escalation, and resolution; support audits; and contribute to executive and model-level forums.
- Quality and Performance: Define and monitor metrics/service level agreements (SLAs); ensure delivery to contract; maintain strong internal/external relationships; provide performance visibility; embed lessons learned; and drive continuous improvement.
- Study Team Support: Clarify roles and responsibilities across delivery teams and ensure effective interface processes and ways of working with suppliers.
- Alliance Management Development: Coach more junior team members; act as delegate for the AM/CRO Group Lead; and lead or support critical initiatives within and beyond Alliance Management.
Essential Requirements:
- University degree in a relevant field (or equivalent experience)
- Recent, direct senior level experience in strategic alliance leadership (partner governance, external engagement, senior internal stakeholder management) in early/late phase clinical trials within fully outsourced and FSP models.
- Substantial experience in the pharmaceutical industry or a clinical research organization
- Detailed knowledge of clinical and pharmaceutical drug development across phases
- Proven experience managing external partners and strategic supplier relationships
- Experience directing alliance governance frameworks and performance metrics
- Strong leadership and influencing skills (including leading without formal authority)
- Effective collaboration across global and functional boundaries
- Excellent conflict resolution, mediation, and negotiation skills
- Demonstrated agility in complex problem solving with multiple stakeholders
- Familiarity with GCP and related guidelines
In Office Requirement:
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.
Competitive salary and benefits package on offer. The successful candidate will have access to a flexible employee benefits fund, including holiday purchase and flexible time off, pension contributions, Share Save Plans, a performance recognition scheme and a competitive, generous remuneration package.
Date Posted: 26-May-2026
Closing Date: 07-Jun-2026
Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.
Director, Alliance Management in Cambridge employer: AstraZeneca GmbH
AstraZeneca offers an exceptional work environment at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, a leading R&D hub that fosters collaboration and innovation. As a Director of Alliance Management, you will benefit from a vibrant ecosystem, competitive salary, and a flexible benefits package that includes holiday purchase options and performance recognition schemes. The company prioritises employee growth through coaching opportunities and encourages a culture of inclusivity and respect, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the pharmaceutical industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Alliance Management in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the pharma R&D space and let them know you're on the hunt for a Director, Alliance Management role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your alliance management skills. Be ready to discuss how you've driven operational excellence and managed strategic partnerships in the past. We want to hear about your successes and how you can bring that experience to the table!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during the interview process. Talk about how you've influenced teams without formal authority and resolved conflicts effectively. This is key for a role that requires collaboration across global and functional boundaries.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team and contributing to our mission of advancing innovative medicines.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Alliance Management in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in alliance management, especially within pharma R&D. We want to see how your background aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading partnerships and teams, it’s crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Share examples of how you've influenced stakeholders and managed teams effectively, even without formal authority. We love seeing those skills in action!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and get straight to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at AstraZeneca GmbH
✨Know Your Alliances
Before the interview, dive deep into the company's strategic partnerships and their alliance management approach. Understand how they collaborate with CROs and what metrics they use to measure success. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're genuinely interested in their operations.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership and influencing skills, especially in complex environments. Think of situations where you've led without formal authority or resolved conflicts effectively. Be ready to discuss how you can coach junior team members and contribute to the development of the alliance management function.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Be prepared to talk about how you've driven continuous improvement in past roles. Discuss specific metrics or SLAs you've defined and monitored, and how you've used performance visibility to enhance relationships with partners. This will show that you understand the importance of quality and performance in alliance management.
✨Engage with Their Culture
Familiarise yourself with the company culture and their emphasis on collaboration across global teams. During the interview, express your enthusiasm for working in a vibrant R&D hub and how you can contribute to fostering strong internal and external relationships. This will help you connect with the interviewers on a personal level.
