Associate Director – Global Product Development

AstraZeneca • Durham, NC

1d • $138,393 - $207,589

About The Position

Do you want to shape the future of medicines—pioneering technical and scientific breakthroughs that transform patient lives? PT&D is where your passion for analytical science and your leadership ambitions converge. We are seeking an experienced, innovative Associate Director to lead and inspire a diverse team of 8 to 10 analytical scientists and professionals across the UK, Sweden, and the US.
In PT&D, our diverse and dedicated team is shaping the future of healthcare through our commitment to patient-centric innovation, sustainability, and our continuous pursuit of delivering medicines to patients worldwide. Our essence is turning molecules into medicine and delivering the medicines that 200 million patients need.
The opportunity
As Associate Director, Analytical Development, you will combine deep analytical science expertise with digital and data driven leadership to modernize how analytical development is designed, executed, and scaled. You will lead an international team to apply advanced data analytics, digital tools, and emerging AI enabled approaches to accelerate analytical development, strengthen control strategies, and enhance scientific and business decision-making.
You will be accountable for line management, career development, and scientific leadership, with overall responsibility for analytical strategy and delivery across clinical and commercial projects. In parallel, you will shape and modernize operational models, driving strategic initiatives aligned with PT&D Ambition 2030 to advance analytical science, operational excellence, and patient impact.
Through your leadership, you will empower colleagues, foster innovation, and uphold high standards across analytical development and laboratory operations. You will play a pivotal role in shaping strategy, influencing drug development programs, and contributing to AstraZeneca’s ambition to deliver impactful medicines across all therapeutic areas.

Requirements

• An advanced degree (BSc, MSc or PhD) in a relevant scientific discipline.
• Significant experience in pharmaceutical development within analytical science, delivering high-quality outcomes across development stages and product lifecycles.
• A proven track record of delivery across multiple drug delivery platforms (e.g. inhaled, oral) for small molecules and other modalities.
• Demonstrated experience authoring clinical and marketing applications, with the credibility and confidence to support regulatory interactions and defense.
• Strong understanding of the end-to-end drug development and commercialization process, from early development through launch and lifecycle management, underpinned by regulatory experience.
• Sound knowledge and practical experience of cGMP, Safety, Health and Environment (SHE), data integrity, and quality requirements within a regulated environment.
• A natural and influential communicator, able to build trusted relationships and operate effectively within a complex, global, matrix organization.
• Proven people and leadership experience, including line management, strategic leadership, and the ability to lead change, embed continuous improvement, or apply Lean principles.
• Comfort working with data rich environments and using digital tools to enhance scientific insight and decision-making.
• The ability to engage with emerging AI enabled, automation, or advanced analytics approaches and translate them into practical, compliant applications within analytical development.
• A curiosity driven mindset towards new technologies, with the judgement to balance innovation, scientific rigor, and regulatory expectations

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and inspire a high performing team of 8–10 analytical scientists, building strong cohesion and engagement across the UK, Sweden, and the US through effective line management, coaching, and career development.
• Set clear scientific and strategic direction for the team, creating an environment where data-driven thinking, digital tools, and emerging AI enabled approaches are actively used to enhance analytical method development, robustness, and lifecycle management.
• Own and direct analytical control strategy and delivery for small molecule and new modality drug projects (including oral and inhalation), from clinical development through to commercialization, ensuring high standards of method excellence, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Foster a culture of scientific excellence, curiosity, and proactive problem solving, empowering scientists to challenge conventional approaches and responsibly adopt innovative, datacentric and AI enabled solutions.
• Provide end-to-end leadership of analytical method control strategy, ensuring consistency, robustness, and lifecycle oversight across the portfolio.
• Ensure laboratory operations meet safety, GMP, data integrity, and quality requirements, while leading the adoption of digitalization, automation, and operational innovation to improve efficiency and insight.
• Manage resources effectively, set clear priorities, and maintain strong communication and alignment with internal and external stakeholders across projects and functions.
• Build and sustain a high-performance, inclusive culture grounded in scientific rigor, continuous improvement, and AstraZeneca values.
• Act beyond functional and organizational boundaries to champion collaboration across sites and geographies, contributing to GPD and PT&D wide strategic and digital initiatives.

Benefits

• 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)
• commission payment eligibility (sales roles)
• qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]
• paid vacation and holidays
• paid leaves
• health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree