Director, Global Project Management

At AstraZeneca, we pride ourselves on crafting a collaborative culture that champions knowledge-sharing, ambitious thinking and innovation – ultimately providing employees with the opportunity to work across teams, functions and even the globe.

Recognizing the importance of individualized flexibility, our ways of working allow employees to balance personal and work commitments while ensuring we continue to create a strong culture of collaboration and teamwork by engaging face-to-face in our offices 3 days a week. Our head office and BlueSky Hub in downtown Toronto are purposely designed with collaboration in mind, providing space where teams can come together to strategize, brainstorm and connect on key projects.

Our dedication to sustainability is also central to our culture and part of what makes AstraZeneca a great place to work. We know the health of people, the planet and our business are interconnected which is why we’re taking ambitious action to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time, from climate change to access to healthcare and disease prevention.

Introduction to role:

The Director of Global Project Management (GPM) is a key leadership position responsible for running global cross-functional drug development teams and sub-teams to achieve strategic objectives and deliver significant research, development, regulatory, and commercial achievements. This senior role provides top-level oversight and integration of the entire development process, complementing the Global Project Leader. Currently, the GPPM group at AstraZeneca has an opening for a Director-level role supporting the Late-Stage Oncology team.

Accountabilities:

Program Strategic Alignment

• Provide global program management leadership and excellence through active input into the project strategy & vision.
• Ensure alignment of the project strategy with operational delivery.
• Ensure appropriate linkages between project strategy and key internal processes and update relevant enterprise systems.
• Collaborate with alliance partners and lead joint alliance forums.
  
  
  

Team Leadership and Delivery

• Lead project management of cross-functional drug development teams and ensure delivery to plan.
• Serve as a core team member and drive efficient operation of the project teams, including overall plans, priorities, budget, and risk management.
• Create a shared sense of purpose, inspire and energize others to build and maintain a cohesive High Performing Team.
• Coach GPT towards successful decision-making and issue resolution.
• Focus the GPT and relevant sub-teams on the right activities at the right time.
• Design, implement, and optimize effective communication within and outside the team.
  
  
  

Governance and Investment Decisions

• Direct GPT towards effective governance decisions.
• Provide guidance to both the team and senior management/governance bodies for efficient decision-making.
• Leverage broad influential network and ensure engagement at all levels prior to key decisions.
  
  
  

Planning, Monitoring, and Delivery

• Ensure that overall GPT results, budgets, schedules, and performance standards are realistically set, governance approved, and attained.
• Maintain plans of the highest data quality and ensure all Project Management results are met.
  
  
  

Entrepreneurship

• Lead by example in learning, innovation, cross-functional collaboration, and conflict resolution.
• Advocate company standard processes and adoption of new project management practices.
• Apply extensive intuition for business to drive cross-functional learning.
• Champion better ways of working across the enterprise and promote learning and development through mentorship.
  
  
  

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific subject
• 8+ years of experience supporting cross-functional drug development teams or leading sub-teams
• Experienced in project management with a successful track record of delivering complex/high business impact drug development projects within agreed time, quality, and cost
• Ability to motivate, lead, and inspire high-performing teams
• Excellent working knowledge of project management tools and processes
• Experience ensuring high-quality data in enterprise systems
• Consistent record of effective Senior Collaborator management with strong strategic influence
• Ability to mentor, develop, and educate team members
• Strong information leadership skills, including use of modern collaboration tools such as SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, and OneNote
  
  
  

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Master’s degree or higher preferred
• In-depth knowledge of drug development process with therapeutic area-specific knowledge and experience
• Advanced degree in a scientific discipline and/or MBA
• Project Management (PMP) Certification
  
  
  

At AstraZeneca, you will be part of a global team that helps make excellence and breakthroughs possible. Here, you can apply your skills to genuinely impact patients' lives. Join us at an exciting time of growth through innovation. Shape this journey by reimagining how we work, taking intelligent risks, and driving change. Our collaborative environment empowers you to speak up, unleash your creativity, and deliver real change.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now to join our dynamic team!

Great People want to Work with us! Find out why:

• GTAA Top Employer Award for 11 years
• Top 100 Employers Award
• Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture
• Learn more about working with us in Canada
• View our YouTube channel
  
  
  

Are you interested in working at AZ, apply today!

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination. AstraZeneca is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Such accommodation is available on request in respect of all aspects of the recruitment, assessment and selection process and may be requested by emailing [email protected].