Director, Process Safety

Location: Gaithersburg, MD or Willmington, DE
Function: Global SHE (Safety, Health & Environment)

Why This Role Matters

As one of the architects of AstraZeneca’s global Process Safety strategy, you will reshape our global safety culture, influence senior executives, and accelerate our transition to pioneering digital, human‑centric, and design‑for‑safety practices. Your work will not only protect people, it will directly enable AstraZeneca’s ability to deliver medicines safely, sustainably, and at scale.

If you want to leave a lasting legacy across a global enterprise, this is your opportunity.

About the Role

The Global Director of Process Safety will provide visionary leadership and set the global strategy for Process Safety.  This highly visible role will lead the transformation and continuous improvement programs that protect colleagues and drive innovation across the company.  This role will engage with all levels of the organization influencing executive stakeholders and operational teams alike.  The role will work with functional and regional leadership teams to deliver a proactive approach focusing on eliminating risk at the source, implementing robust controls and promoting a strong process safety culture, ensuring leaders understand the difference between occupational safety and process safety and remain focused on low-frequency, high-consequence risks. Through collaboration with a Global team of subject matter experts in safety, health and environment, leveraging premier technology, and data driven insights the role will provide continuous improvement for a safer, more sustainable workplace

Scope, Governance & Decision Rights

Global Span & Authority

• Enterprise-wide remit across all AstraZeneca Operations, R&D sites, engineering projects, and commercial environments.
• Authority to set global Process Safety and SIF standards, expectations, and minimum technical requirements.
• Strategic decision rights on global policies, frameworks, and risk controls.

Reporting Line

• Reports to the Senior Director, Global SHE (Safety, Health & Environment).

Team Leadership

• Oversight of cross‑functional working groups, networks, and communities of practice.

Budget Accountability

• Decision-making input on capital projects and safety‑critical expenditures.

What You Can Expect at AstraZeneca

• A purposeful culture where safety is a strategic priority, not a compliance activity
• Opportunities to influence the organization at the highest levels of the
• Support to innovate, reimagine, and design future‑focused risk‑reduction systems
• Global career growth and exposure across Operations, Science, and Engineering
• A collaborative environment where bold thinking is encouraged

Key Accountabilities

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or related field, or equivalent senior-level Process Safety experience.
• 8+ years of senior SHE leadership experience with proven global scope and achievement in high‑hazard environments.
• Deep expertise in Process Safety and major hazards legislation, with advanced understanding of PHA, LOPA, Bowtie, and hazardous area classification to lead global technical governance.
• Practical knowledge of hazardous area classification and requirements electrical and mechanical equipment in hazardous areas
• 8+ years leading or overseeing high‑risk or high‑hazard work programs across multi‑site or global operations.
• Competent in risk analysis techniques: PHA, What-if, Bow Tie analysis, LOPA etc.
• Demonstrated capability to influence senior executives and drive enterprise‑level transformation.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to inspire, motivate, and unify global teams.
• Proven experience leading global programs, budgets, and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel internationally.

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced Degree: Masters + STEM
• Advanced professional certifications (e.g., CSP, CCPS, PE, or equivalent global credentials).
• Executive‑level communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders on complex risk topics.
• Experience engaging with regulatory authorities across multiple international jurisdictions.
• Familiarity with emerging process safety technologies (AI/ML analytics, sensing technologies, digital twins) and Human & Organizational Performance research.
• Demonstrated experience leading global transformation or safety‑culture change programs.
• Experience integrating Process Safety into Engineering and major capital project design.
• Proven ability to build global capability frameworks, training programs, and technical competency development.
• Success navigating and influencing in highly matrixed, multicultural global environments.

Pay Transparency/ On-Site Office policy

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $175,572- $213,538 USD

Annual. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors. 

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire 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.

At AstraZeneca, we are driven by our commitment to deliver accelerated growth for AstraZeneca and make people's lives better. We thrive in our often-intense environment by seeking out new challenges and working towards innovative solutions. Here you can build a long-term career with global knowledge opportunities while positively impacting local communities.

Ready to step up? Apply now to join our team!

Date Posted

Closing Date

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.