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- Tasks: Lead innovative data projects that drive real-world impact in healthcare.
- Company: Join AstraZeneca, a leader in life-changing medicines and cutting-edge technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on innovation and teamwork.
- Why this job: Shape the future of medicine through data-driven transformation and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Experience in data programmes and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
The Director, Data Project Leadership plans and delivers priority enterprise data initiatives, turning strategy into high quality execution that delivers measurable value. This role runs day-to-day programme delivery, governance and benefits tracking for an assigned portfolio, partnering with platform, domain and compliance teams to deliver secure, scalable capabilities that are adopted across the business. Operating within Enterprise Data Programmes, the role contributes to the Data Project Leadership pillar and works closely with peers in Data Change Management and Data Automation. The Director owns delivery decisions within the portfolio, with clear escalation to the Senior Director for portfolio-level prioritisation and cross-platform trade-offs.
Accountabilities:
- Lead delivery for a defined subset of the enterprise data portfolio, planning and executing enterprise data projects and capabilities from pilot through scale, maintaining scope, schedule and budget discipline while keeping value realisation at the centre.
- Operate portfolio governance for assigned programmes, ensuring transparent decision making, timely escalation and “compliance by design” in partnership with Compliance, Data Privacy, Quality and GxP where applicable, and ensure delivery adheres to AstraZeneca standards and relevant external regulations.
- Direct cross-functional delivery teams of project and programme managers, business analysts, product owners and vendors within agreed operating models, managing partner performance, commercials and integrated plans.
- Identify and manage dependencies with enterprise platforms and domain product teams, maintaining risk, issue and change logs, driving resolution and escalating material items to the Senior Director.
- Provide strategic leadership within the assigned portfolio by translating enterprise data strategy and Senior Director direction into executable delivery plans with codified stage and quality gates.
- Prepare directional proposals and business cases with clear benefits hypotheses, resource needs and milestones for governance approval.
- Monitor internal and industry practices to recommend pragmatic delivery approaches that balance speed, quality, risk and cost, proposing trade-offs and mitigation plans for decision.
- Drive programme execution and governance by building and managing detailed workplans, budgets, critical paths and release calendars; tracking progress; managing variance; and implementing recovery plans where needed.
- Chair working-level governance forums and prepare content for senior governance, ensuring artefacts are audit ready and decisions and actions are documented.
- Track costs and benefits against agreed baselines and implement robust risk, issue, change control and quality management processes.
- Run readiness reviews and post-implementation evaluations to ensure work is conducted in line with AstraZeneca standards and relevant external regulations.
- Coordinate with adjacent programmes, enterprise platforms and domain product teams to align milestones, manage interdependencies, avoid delivery conflicts, remove blockers and escalate promptly when cross-portfolio decisions are required.
- Drive value realisation and adoption by defining success metrics for assigned initiatives from pilot through scale, tracking benefits such as adoption, cycle time, quality and compliance, productivity and cost avoidance, and triggering course corrections where needed.
- Partner with the Data Change Management pillar to ensure stakeholder mapping, communications and readiness plans are executed, supporting post go-live reinforcement and embedding agreed behaviours.
- Work with Finance to plan and track budgets and benefits, providing clear reporting and forecasts to the Senior Director and governance forums.
- Collaborate closely with Data Automation to identify opportunities where automation improves delivery speed, quality or compliance, such as policy as code or continuous assurance.
- Integrate agreed automation patterns and controls into delivery plans, aligning programme milestones with automation pilots and transitions to steady-state operations in partnership with platform and domain teams.
- Ensure support models and monitoring are in place so that automated controls remain effective over time.
Essential Skills/Experience:
- Degree in a business, scientific or technical field, or equivalent experience.
- Proven leadership of complex data/technology programmes in a global, matrixed environment, delivering to time, cost and quality.
- Strong programme governance discipline (planning, stage/quality gates, risk/issue/dependency management, change control) with audit-ready artefacts.
- Benefits-led delivery: ability to define success metrics and track benefits from pilot through scale in partnership with Finance and Change.
- Ability to translate between technical topics (platforms, data products, standards, controls, specific and prioritised data domains) and business outcomes; clear written and verbal communication.
- Stakeholder management and influencing across functions and levels; experience preparing materials for senior governance and managing escalations.
- Coordination of cross-functional teams and vendor partners to agreed performance and commercial terms.
- Experience working with Change Management and/or L&D to drive adoption and sustained use of new capabilities.
Desirable Skills/Experience:
- Experience in pharmaceutical R&D or other highly regulated industries.
- Knowledge of data management, analytics, AI enabled delivery and related compliance (privacy, security, GxP where applicable).
- Familiarity with behavioural science informed adoption techniques and change frameworks (e.g., Prosci/ADKAR).
AstraZeneca offers the chance to disrupt an industry while working on technology that directly supports life-changing medicines. Here data, analytics, AI and modern engineering come together with science to unlock new possibilities for patients. The environment is dynamic and hands-on: experiment with leading-edge platforms, shape new ways of working at scale, learn continuously through collaboration with diverse experts, hackathons and external partnerships, and see the impact of decisions across a truly global enterprise backed by strong investment in digital transformation.
If this role matches your experience and ambition, apply now to help lead the next wave of data-driven transformation at AstraZeneca.
Director, Data Project Leadership in Cambridge employer: AstraZeneca
Contact Detail:
AstraZeneca Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Data Project Leadership in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their data initiatives and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. We want you to walk in feeling confident and ready to showcase how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your past projects and how they relate to the role of Director, Data Project Leadership. We suggest rehearsing with a friend or in front of a mirror to nail down your delivery and make a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. We believe this shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps build a positive rapport with the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Data Project Leadership in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the Director, Data Project Leadership role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your leadership in data projects. Quantify your successes where possible – numbers speak volumes!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your communication is easy to follow. This will help us see your potential as a leader.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets into the right hands and shows your enthusiasm for joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at AstraZeneca
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
As a Director of Data Project Leadership, you need to demonstrate a deep understanding of data management and analytics. Brush up on the latest trends in data technology and be ready to discuss how you've successfully led complex data initiatives in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading cross-functional teams and managing vendor partners. Be ready to discuss how you've navigated challenges in a global, matrixed environment while ensuring compliance and quality.
✨Master the Art of Communication
Since this role involves stakeholder management and influencing across various functions, practice articulating technical concepts in a way that aligns with business outcomes. Prepare to present your ideas clearly and confidently, especially when discussing governance and decision-making processes.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage risks and dependencies. Think of specific instances where you've had to make tough decisions or course corrections, and be prepared to explain your thought process.