Associate Director, Operations Manager, Oncology R&D

AstraZeneca•Gaithersburg, MD

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated and dynamic individual who is looking for an opportunity to build on their operational and project management expertise as an Associate Director, Operations Manager in the Chief Operating Office in Oncology R&D (ORD). This role supports business-as-usual business operations and functional area projects, ensuring robust and fit-for-purpose delivery in line with functional needs and in close partnership with the Business Planning & Operations Director (BPO) for the function. As an Associate Director, Operations Manager, you’ll have the opportunity to make a real impact, gain exposure to the Chief Operating Office and ORD functions, and shape how we deliver impact in 2026. This role sits within the Operations Team in the Chief Operating Office in Oncology R&D. The Operations Manager reports to the Director Operations, Oncology R&D and will be aligned to supporting ORD functions based on business need. The role acts as a thought partner with the functional BPO and SVP, ensuring day to day, business as usual Operational activities are fit for purpose, robust, and executed in a timely manner. The role also provides delivery of functional area projects as necessary to deliver transformation and change initiatives.

Requirements

BS/BA with 5+ years relevant experience
Highly developed operational and project management skills
Strategic problem solver able act independently and decisively to anticipate problems and implement solutions
Strong analytical skills with meticulous attention to detail and accuracy
Results/action-oriented
Ability influence key stakeholders and drive for decisions and outcomes in a large organization
Highly developed verbal and written communication skills
Developed negotiation and interpersonal skills
Experience of working with senior leadership teams and stakeholders
Able to thrive in a highly dynamic, fast paced, continuously changing global environment with minimal oversight/direction
Confident presentation preparation and delivery skills
Ability to travel internationally

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree
Pharmaceutical, Oncology, or scientific background

Responsibilities

Partnership with functional BPO and business partners to plan and execute key business operations processes
Streamline, improve and standardize operations processes in line with COO & BPO expectations
Drive scorecard development and reporting, risk monitoring and mitigation planning, CO2e and travel budget forecasting and tracking, LT and F2F meeting management, and support MTP/LTP/Phased budget preparation
Hands-on delivery of functional area transformation and change initiatives
Maintain the functional business calendar ensuring preparation for critical business processes and meetings, such as LTP / MTP, SET and TA presentations
Support scorecard development and drive quarterly tracking and reporting
Support planning and coordination of annual budget and business planning cycle (e.g. MTP/LTP, RBU) in partnership with the BPO, Portfolio & Capacity Management team & Finance business partner
Support CO2e and travel budget forecasting and tracking, ensuring adherence with agreed targets
Support LT and F2F meeting planning and management
Drive risk monitoring and mitigation planning
Partner with HR and the Portfolio & Capacity Management team to support workforce planning/forecasting
Partner with the functional Communication Lead to identify and deliver key functional engagements and events through appropriate channels
Support the BPO with creation of presentation materials and reports as required
Manage delivery of ad-hoc functional area projects as required