At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global cell therapy projects from trials to studies, shaping strategy and driving delivery.
- Company: Mission-driven organisation focused on innovative healthcare solutions.
- Benefits: Flexible working, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for international travel.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in the evolving field of cell therapy.
- Qualifications: Extensive drug development experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 99000 - 121000 £ per year.
Executive Director, Clinical Operations, Program Management leads the global cell therapy portfolio from early trials to registrational studies. You define franchise strategy, drive end-to-end delivery, and build high-performing teams to ensure time, cost, and quality targets. You will shape governance, enable inspection readiness, and partner with senior leaders to scale operations across geographies. This role offers impact at scale in a mission-driven organization.
Pay / Benefits
- In-office minimum three days per week
- Flexible working arrangements
- Inclusive and supportive recruitment process
- Accommodation for adjustment needs
- Opportunity to work with cutting-edge platforms
- Ambitious and collaborative culture
Responsibilities
- Define and steward the franchises short- and long-term clinical operations strategy
- Develop therapeutic and country strategies for clinical operations and site footprint
- Drive resolution of franchise-level clinical operations issues across global product teams
- Provide strategic oversight for all in-scope cell therapy studies with a focus on delivery, quality, and compliance
- Serve as a core member of enterprise governance and participate in Protocol Review Committee sign-offs
- Establish and communicate delivery vision, prioritization, and key performance metrics
- Deliver rigorous slot forecasting and data-driven prioritization with planning partners
- Ensure submission readiness and proactive risk management across the franchise
- Build, mentor, and retain senior-level Clinical Operations Program Leaders
- Engage with external partners to bring innovation, benchmark, and scale practices
- Sponsor large-scale transformational initiatives to simplify processes and governance
- Lead cross-functional teams and collaborate across global sites for delivery excellence
Key requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Extensive drug development experience with direct clinical operations background
- Line management and performance management of Senior Director–level staff
- Proven ability to develop others and build capabilities
- Experience contributing to cross-program clinical operations improvements
- Strong communication, stakeholder management, and influence skills
- Global, cross-functional leadership with resource and budget planning experience
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally
- Proven track record of delivering in a complex, regulated environment
- Experience leading large-scale transformation initiatives (desirable)
- Excellent communication
- Strong stakeholder management
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Clinical operations leadership in drug development
- Portfolio management and governance
- Resource and budget planning for clinical programs
Executive Director Clinical Operations, Program Management employer: AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Cambridge where innovation meets collaboration. Employees benefit from a culture that values entrepreneurial thinking and scientific excellence, alongside opportunities for professional growth through mentorship and cross-functional projects. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, AstraZeneca fosters a supportive atmosphere that empowers individuals to make meaningful contributions to life-changing medicines.
