At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic operations and workforce planning in global clinical development.
- Company: Join Jazz Pharmaceuticals, a biopharma innovator transforming patient lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, flexible vacation, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and innovation in healthcare.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in drug development and improve patient outcomes.
- Qualifications: Experience in biopharma operations and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 78750 - 96250 £ per year.
Jazz Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharma company whose purpose is to innovate to transform the lives of patients and their families. We are dedicated to developing life-changing medicines for people with serious diseases — often with limited or no therapeutic options. We have a diverse portfolio of marketed medicines, including leading therapies for sleep disorders and epilepsy, and a growing portfolio of cancer treatments. Our patient-focused and science-driven approach powers pioneering research and development advancements across our robust pipeline of innovative therapeutics in oncology and neuroscience. Jazz is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland with research and development laboratories, manufacturing facilities and employees in multiple countries committed to serving patients worldwide.
Brief Description: The Director, Business Strategy & Operations (BS&O) – GCDO serves as the strategic business partner and Chief of Staff to the Head of Global Clinical Development Operations and the GCDO Leadership Team (LT). Reporting to the Head of R&D Business Strategy & Operations, this role drives strategic alignment, operational cadence, workforce planning, and continuous improvement across the global clinical development operations organization. The Director oversees multi-year workforce and resource planning, acts as the functional data steward for capacity models and budget cycles, coordinates business development due diligence and integration, and partners with the Communications team to ensure unified, transparent organizational messaging.
Essential Functions
- Chief of Staff & Operational Governance: Serve as trusted advisor and Chief of Staff to the Head of GCDO and the GCDO LT. Lead the operational rhythm of GCDO: establish agendas, facilitate LT meetings and strategic offsites, track action items, and drive execution. Partner with the R&D Chief of Staff to align GCDO priorities and governance with enterprise R&D strategy and portfolio milestones. Supports preparation for Quarterly Performance Meeting (QPM) and Board of Director Meetings. Represent GCDO in key R&D operational committees and cross-functional forums.
- Workforce Planning & Resource Data Stewardship: Lead proactive, multi-year workforce planning across GCDO in partnership with Finance, HR, and Resource Management. Serve as functional Data Steward for resource planning, overseeing named allocation tools, algorithm-based demand models, and timecard coding adherence to ensure data integrity. Translate clinical study pipeline requirements into robust FTE and contract resourcing forecasts to secure functional headcount and budget during annual and Long-Range Planning (LRP) cycles.
- Financial Stewardship & Budget Management: Partner with R&D Finance and GCDO budget holders to build, track, and optimize the functional operating budget (OpEx and headcount). Drive the financial operating cadence across monthly accruals, quarterly forecasting, variance reporting, and annual budget builds.
- Business Due Diligence & Functional Integration: Serve as the clinical operations lead on business development (BD), licensing, and M&A evaluations, assessing operational viability, trial delivery models, risks, and resource impacts. Lead post-transaction functional integration for acquired or partnered clinical assets, ensuring seamless onboarding, process alignment, and operational continuity.
- Goal Setting, Performance & Process Improvement: Lead GCDO annual goal-setting (OKRs/KPIs), cascading R&D priorities into actionable functional metrics and executive dashboards. Lead and implement targeted process improvement initiatives across GCDO and R&D interfaces, streamlining trial delivery workflows, eliminating bottlenecks, and updating operating standards. Apply structured change management methodologies to ensure sustainable adoption of process improvements across global teams.
- Functional Communications & Culture: Partner closely with the Communications team to design and execute GCDO communications, including Town Halls, All-Hands forums, and leadership announcements. Drive organizational health and engagement initiatives that reinforce accountability, trust, and clinical operational excellence. Foster a cohesive, forward-looking organizational culture that bridges project management rigor with data science and AI innovation, reinforcing transparency, accountability, and collaboration.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Key Competencies: Executive Presence & Influence, Operational & Analytical Acumen, Strategic Problem-Solving, Communication & Collaboration.
- Experience: Extensive progressive experience in the biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences industry, with substantive exposure to drug development, portfolio/project management, data science/informatics, or R&D business operations. Experience operating in a strategic business operations, Chief of Staff, or PMO leadership capacity partnering directly with executive leaders (VP/SVP level). Direct experience leading workforce planning, capacity modeling oversight, named resource allocations, and timecard compliance. Demonstrated track record managing departmental budgets, financial forecasting, and variance tracking in collaboration with Finance. Experience participating in business development due diligence and leading post-deal functional integrations or external platform onboardings.
- Executive Presence & Strategic Partnership: High emotional intelligence with a proven ability to advise and influence senior functional executives (VP/SVP level) across diverse technical, analytical, and operational disciplines.
- High-Stakes Communication: Exceptional ability to synthesize complex project management narratives, data science strategies, and operational data into polished, compelling executive- and board-level presentations.
- Operational & Analytical Acumen: Strong capability to interpret complex resource models, algorithm demand outputs, and financial analyses to formulate actionable business strategies.
- Financial & Resource Stewardship: Demonstrated financial acumen managing multi-million-dollar functional operating budgets (OpEx, vendor contracts, software licensing) and multi-year workforce plans.
- Cross-Functional Orchestration: Proven track record in orchestrating multi-faceted initiatives across matrixed global teams, balancing competing priorities across distinct functional domains.
- Continuous Improvement & Innovation: Deep experience in process optimization, change management frameworks, and the practical application of digital and AI tools to enhance operational efficiency.
Required/Preferred Education and Licenses: Bachelor’s degree in a Life Sciences discipline (Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacology, Neurobiology, Oncology, etc.) or related business/scientific field required. Advanced degree (MS, PhD, or MBA) strongly preferred. Lean Six Sigma, Agile, or Project Management (PMP) certification is a plus.
Director, Business Strategy and Operations, Global Clinical Development Operations (GCDO) in City of London employer: Jazz Pharmaceuticals
Jazz Pharmaceuticals is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration in the biopharma industry. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide numerous opportunities for professional development and a competitive benefits package, including flexible paid vacation and comprehensive health insurance. Located in vibrant cities like London and Cambridge, our employees enjoy a stimulating environment that fosters creativity and teamwork while making a meaningful impact on patients' lives worldwide.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Business Strategy and Operations, Global Clinical Development Operations (GCDO) in City of London
✨Unlock Networking Opportunities
Dive into industry-specific events like pharmaceutical conferences and seminars, where you can meet hiring managers from companies like Jazz Pharmaceuticals. These are goldmines for making connections and learning about job openings before they hit the mainstream job boards.
✨Join Relevant Professional Bodies
Get involved with organisations such as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society or your local pharmaceutical professionals' network. Being an active member can boost your credibility and may even lead to job referrals in top organisations like Jazz Pharmaceuticals.
✨Leverage Internships for Full-time Roles
If you can, consider pursuing internships in the pharmaceutical industry, especially with companies like Jazz Pharmaceuticals. These opportunities often pave the way for full-time positions and allow you to demonstrate your capabilities firsthand.
✨Tailor Your Approach
When you're applying for roles, don't rush it! Take the time to customise your applications for specific positions, showcasing relevant skills and experiences that align with what Jazz Pharmaceuticals is looking for. A tailored application can really make you stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Business Strategy and Operations, Global Clinical Development Operations (GCDO) in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in the pharmaceutical industry, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Whether that's internships, lab work, or even related coursework, make sure to weave this into your CV and cover letter. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're applying for at Jazz Pharmaceuticals!
Emphasise Your Understanding of Regulations:The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated, so it's important to indicate your familiarity with industry standards and regulations. In your cover letter, mention any training or certifications you've received that are relevant, or discuss projects where you’ve navigated compliance. This will show Jazz Pharmaceuticals that you're not just a fit for the job but also a safety-conscious candidate!
Tailor Your CV to Be Result-Driven:Craft your CV to highlight quantifiable achievements, especially if you have previous roles in pharmaceuticals or related fields. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as improved processing times or successful project completions while working on trials. This analytical approach will resonate well with hiring managers at Jazz Pharmaceuticals!
Convey Your Passion for the Industry:In your cover letter, express why you are passionate about working in the pharmaceutical sector. Whether it’s your desire to contribute to groundbreaking drug research or improve patient outcomes, let it shine through! At Jazz Pharmaceuticals, we value candidates who are truly enthusiastic about their work—you might just stand out from the crowd.
How to prepare for a job interview at Jazz Pharmaceuticals
✨Understand the Science
Make sure you brush up on key pharmaceutical concepts and recent developments in the industry. You might get asked some technical questions during the interview at Jazz Pharmaceuticals that show your grasp of drug development processes or regulatory requirements, so be ready to discuss them clearly.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
If you have any hands-on experience or internships in a laboratory setting, be sure to highlight these in your responses. Think about the projects you worked on, the methodologies you used, and the impact you made. It's all about telling a story that connects your background to the role you're applying for.
✨Know Their Products
Take some time to familiarise yourself with Jazz Pharmaceuticals’s product range and recent breakthroughs. Understanding their portfolio not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also allows you to ask insightful questions that demonstrate your interest in actively contributing to their projects.
✨Be Ready for Regulatory Scenarios
In a full-time pharmaceutical role, understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial. Prepare for situational questions that may test your problem-solving skills concerning compliance and safety standards. You could be asked how you'd handle a hypothetical issue regarding a drug’s market release, so think through your approach.
