Senior Director of Business Transformation - Enterprise Cell Therapy Unit
AstraZeneca
Summary
This role is a dynamic role responsible for the management of overall Business Improvement, Transformation, and Strategic Programs at a global level within the Enterprise Cell Therapy Unit. The ideal candidate will be curious, creative, analytical with a natural leadership drive to bring solutions beyond immediate challenges; challenge the status quo and will have outstanding communication and influencing skills. This leader will share frequent interactions with senior leaders across Cell Therapy, as well as close collaboration with leaders of R&D and Commercial across multiple Therapy areas. Success in this role will result in improved business decision-making, accelerated innovation, and enhanced productivity.
Job description
Key Accountabilities
Strategic Thinking and Business Agility
- Accountable for defining and executing business transformation strategies which will enable superior quality, effectiveness and efficiency of the business; Establish and drive transformation roadmap structure and strategy.
- Identify high level opportunities for process improvement and drive implementation of the key process improvement and lean initiatives that will ensure successful launch and management of multiple products and pipeline.
- Drive synergies, simplification and productivity initiatives and achieve cost efficiencies for specific functions within the Cell Therapy Organizations. Lead cross functional teams to identify top operational challenges and supporting transformation programs that will strengthen supply model for autologous and allogenic modalities.
- Actively collaborate with key networks across AZ and externally to gain awareness of current industry trends to contribute and influence new evolving technologies and practices. Share strategic outcomes of key strategy implementation and Business transformation projects with senior leadership teams, outlining benefits from a cost, speed and quality perspective and demonstrating the return on investment (ROI).
- Build a trusting relationship with senior leaders and other key stakeholders across the enterprise to advise and influence operational transformational changes supporting 2030 bold ambition.
- Articulate and engage on proactive communication with key stakeholders on strategy implementation.
Crucial Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in appropriate discipline
- Minimum 7 years in operational strategy OR 3 years management consulting experience
- Superior project management skills with demonstrated experience successfully managing a cross-functional or cross-departmental team on a sophisticated project
- Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to logically structure issues and determine recommended resolutions
- Demonstrated ability to set and manage priorities, resources, performance targets and project initiatives in a global environment
- Operational expertise in proactive risk management and contingency planning
- Conceptual, analytical, with demonstrated strategic thinking capability
- Ability to work well under pressure and effectively and professionally navigate tough situations
- Ability to challenge the status quo, take ownership and holds self and others accountable
- Ability to influence strategically and persuade tactfully, to obtain desired outcomes while maintaining effective, positive, organizational relationships
- Passion for Patients and Customers, representing the needs of multiple customers in decision making
Desirable Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
- Masters or PhD or other advanced degree in appropriate discipline with MBA
- PMP certification
- Strong experience in relationship management and influencing skills
- Effective problem and conflict resolution skills and proven team focus
- Excellent knowledge of AstraZeneca policies, procedures and guidelines
- Experience in working with senior leaders
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in appropriate discipline
- Minimum 7 years in operational strategy OR 3 years management consulting experience
- Superior project management skills with demonstrated experience successfully managing a cross-functional or cross-departmental team on a sophisticated project
- Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to logically structure issues and determine recommended resolutions
- Demonstrated ability to set and manage priorities, resources, performance targets and project initiatives in a global environment
- Operational expertise in proactive risk management and contingency planning
- Conceptual, analytical, with demonstrated strategic thinking capability
- Ability to work well under pressure and effectively and professionally navigate tough situations
- Ability to challenge the status quo, take ownership and holds self and others accountable
- Ability to influence strategically and persuade tactfully, to obtain desired outcomes while maintaining effective, positive, organizational relationships
- Passion for Patients and Customers, representing the needs of multiple customers in decision making
- Masters or PhD or other advanced degree in appropriate discipline with MBA
- PMP certification
- Strong experience in relationship management and influencing skills
- Effective problem and conflict resolution skills and proven team focus
- Excellent knowledge of AstraZeneca policies, procedures and guidelines
- Experience in working with senior leaders
Benefits
- 401(k) plan
- Paid vacation
- Paid holidays
- Paid leaves
- Medical coverage
- Prescription drug coverage
- Dental coverage
- Vision coverage
- Short-term incentive bonus
- Equity-based long-term incentive
Company overview
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused pharmaceutical company dedicated to accelerating the delivery of life-changing medicines that create enduring value for patients, society, and shareholders. With a workforce of over 94,300 employees worldwide, the company operates across three core therapy areas: Oncology, BioPharmaceuticals (including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, Respiratory & Immunology), and Rare Disease. Headquartered in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca maintains strategic R&D centers in Cambridge, Gaithersburg (US), Boston (US), Gothenburg (Sweden), Shanghai, and Beijing. The company generated $54.1 billion in total revenue in 2024 and invested $13.6 billion in scientific research and development. AstraZeneca's bold aspiration is to be pioneers in science, lead in disease areas, and transform patient outcomes, with a goal to launch 20 new medicines and achieve $80 billion in total revenue by 2030. The company is recognized for its commitment to sustainability, health equity, and creating an inclusive work environment where diverse perspectives drive innovation.