Hybrid Director, Research, GPM

at AstraZeneca

• Job title: Director, Research, GPM
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Lead
• Salary: Not specified
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, New Haven, United States

About the role

• Director, Global Project Manager responsible for managing cross-functional teams and program strategy in pharmaceutical R&D. Ensuring effective execution of discovery and early-stage clinical programs.

Responsibilities

• The Director, Global Project Manager (GPM) is responsible for co-leading the strategic and operational planning and decision-making processes with the Discovery and early stage Global Program Team (eGPT).
• Working in partnership with the early Program Team Leader (eGPTL), the GPM provides strategic vision and guidance to the team by developing integrated plans to successfully execute the strategy.
• Provides content expertise to the timing, costs, and resources required for development programs and is able to successfully deliver milestones and goals for their program(s).
• Works to ensure that cross-functional teams operate effectively, fostering positive team dynamics, and championing Alexion’s operating model.
• Leverages a strong background in science with exceptional program management skills to work in the Global Portfolio and Program Management function.
• Lead and manage cross functional early Global Program teams (eGPTs) to develop project strategy.
• Coordinate and drive teams to proactively plan project activities as well as track and monitor project progress.
• Work with teams to identify risks, criteria for decision making and reporting.
• Lead and facilitate cross-functional team meetings, creating forums for presentation of new information, timely decision making, risk mitigation and action items and responsiveness to the daily tasks.
• Summarize complex topics and relay information regarding project status, risks, issues, decisions, etc. to team members, senior leadership, and staff as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain program timelines, budget, resource planning, and investment assumptions in partnership with finance to ensure transparency and accuracy of funding status.
• Providing strategic guidance to ‘pressure-test’ program team’s assumptions, drive scenario planning / trade off analysis, and cross-functional planning into the overall integrated program plan.
• Work independently to provide best in class operations and program management expertise to drive the eGPT toward execution excellence.
• Facilitate team goal setting and tracking to ensure adherence to plan and strategy and in preparation for end of year team evaluation process.
• Deliver project management excellence and apply project management tools as required.

Requirements

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required, with higher level degree preferred
• >10 years of industry experience, 8 of which should be in managing cross-functional teams
• 10+ years of experience within one or more functional role(s) in pharmaceutical R&D drug development, biotechnology, or related industry
• 3+ years of direct experience in program management or scientific leadership roles in a cell-therapy, genomic medicine, or equivalent
• Excellent written and verbal skills, and strong interpersonal skills
• Must be well organized and have strong attention to detail with an ability to deal with competing priorities
• High level of problem-solving capability and business acumen
• Ability to balance competing priorities while quickly and objectively driving the team towards a path which maximizes value
• Strong influencing and interpersonal skills to operate and motivate a team in a matrix environment at all levels in the organization without direct authority
• Proven track in guiding teams through goal setting, planning, budgeting, timeline management, and transition through stage gates
• Expert understanding of the end-to-end processes in Research drug development and product value assessment
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective program management leadership in terms of setting program plans for a program from discovery through early development
• Capable of working in a professional manner with Sr Leaders and teams including diplomacy, negotiation and listening skills
• Expertise in budget and resource management and prioritization frameworks
• Mastery of SharePoint, Microsoft Project, and knowledge of MS Project Server
• Technical proficiency in the use of program planning tools and systems (e.g. Microsoft Project, resource forecasting, decision analytics, budgets)
• High level of proficiency in MS Office software including Teams, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook, and Visio
• Leadership skills, personal integrity, and the ability to work well with others in a fast-paced environment is critical
• Experience with contractor management, familiarity with success factors

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Flexible working hours
• Professional development opportunities