AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. AstraZeneca has a multifaceted environment that cultivates collaboration and innovation to achieve our goals. We attract top minds, and we nurture and build talent.   

Within the AstraZeneca Enterprise Cell Therapy Unit, our ambition is to realize the full potential of cell therapy for people living with cancer, immune-mediated and rare diseases around the world. This unit has responsibility for the value chain from discovery through to late-stage development and commercialization. We are rapidly progressing a broad pipeline of cell therapies in collaboration with AstraZeneca’s Therapeutic Area Units.  China Cell Therapy is a critical component of this. It is a vital engine for innovation, discovery and development of our cell therapies and enables the clinical testing of multiple iteration of cells and in vivo therapies.

This role is a critical leadership role within AstraZeneca’s China Cell Therapy, responsible for the management of overall Business Improvement, Transformation, and Strategic Programs at a within the China Cell Therapy group. The ideal candidate for this role 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 the Enterprise Cell Therapy Unit, as well as close collaboration with leaders of R&D China and China Commercial across of multiple Therapy areas. Success in this role will result in improved business decision-making, accelerated innovation, and enhanced productivity. A passion for transformation, combined with relationship-building, leadership, and communication skills will be key to success.  

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  

• 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  

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master’s Degree or PhD is preferred 

• 7+ years pharmaceutical experience OR 7+ years management consulting experience OR 10+ years in operational strategy

• Shaping, developing & efficiently implementing plans
• Strong organizational skills and a high degree of attention to detail
• Project and process management expertise
• Understanding of forecasts, budgets, financial processes and tools
• Understanding of the pharmaceutical business  
• Cross-functional team experience
• Experience in leading through influence in a matrix organization
• Experience in strategic planning processes and tools
• Strong interpersonal, communication (written and oral), organizational, relationship building, and consulting skills

Desired Qualifications:

• Broad experience across multiple areas of Cell Therapy or Biotechnology
• Experience in translating business needs into a coordinated plan from cross-functional senior leadership team
• Results-orientation with ability to develop creative and simple solutions to sophisticated problems

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to encourage life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.