Director, Business Planning and Operations

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MD

85d • $167,772 - $251,658

About The Position

The Director, Business Planning and Operations is a strategic partner and trusted advisor for the Vice President (VP), Cancer Biomarker Development and Department Leadership Team. In this highly collaborative and visible role, you will be instrumental in shaping the evolving organization and business strategy, supporting special initiatives, leading business case development, and driving budgeting and planning processes. You will work closely with the central Business Planning and Operations Team to ensure alignment and operational excellence, leveraging your experience in drug and biomarker development and expertise in complex business processes. As a thought partner, you will provide counsel to the VP and Leadership Team, ensuring sound decision-making for both near- and long-term objectives. Leveraging data and insights, you will inform key business strategies, oversee the execution of special projects, and lead resource and budget planning efforts to deliver maximum value for the department and organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree and 7+ years of industry experience in drug or biomarker development, including early phase portfolio management.
• Strong experience in business case development and project management.
• Excellent collaboration and stakeholder management skills; ability to influence across organization.
• Proven ability to partner and communicate effectively with senior leadership.
• Broad experience with business, operational, or general processes.
• Strategic thinking with demonstrated ability to translate strategy to operational execution.
• Experience with applying AI tools to business processes and scientific projects.
• Leadership skills, with high integrity and organizational acumen.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to simplify/improve business processes.
• Excellent written/verbal communication, facilitation, collaboration, and negotiation skills.
• Experience dealing with complex, fast-paced, and dynamic environments.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s Degree or MBA.
• Strong knowledge of Oncology therapeutic area.
• Experience achieving tangible value in a similar role and scale.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a thought partner and trusted confidant to the VP and Cancer Biomarker Department Leadership Team, shaping, informing, and challenging business strategy.
• Provide expert guidance and recommendations on business planning, operational processes, and organizational priorities.
• Support and enable agile, proactive leadership decisions by delivering critical insights, thoughtful business analysis, and objective counsel.
• Drive the development of robust business cases for strategic partnerships, investments, or process improvements.
• Lead or support high-priority, cross-functional and departmental initiatives and special projects – including non-drug scientific, technical, strategic, and change projects.
• Champion new ways of working, leading the evolution of operating models and fostering collaboration across teams.
• Lead the development, execution, and monitoring of the department’s budgeting and resource planning processes.
• Provide oversight and analysis for manpower and non-manpower forecasting, spend tracking, and variance management; implement corrective actions as needed.
• Direct regular portfolio prioritization and resource allocation discussions to address departmental and pipeline needs.
• Oversee progress toward annual objectives and budget targets, reporting regularly to the Leadership Team.
• Support the Cancer Biomarker Leadership Team through meeting planning, agenda-setting, and action tracking.
• Coordinate the development of annual objectives, metrics, and success criteria with departmental leadership.
• Work closely with Oncology Portfolio and Capacity Management, facilitating resource discussions and recruitment/onboarding of critical hires.
• Support retention, talent development, and succession planning initiatives.
• Maintain oversight of all Cancer Biomarker initiatives and BAU activities, ensuring alignment with wider Oncology prioritization.
• Strategically partner with Communications to deliver key departmental engagements and share critical updates.
• Apply methodologies to translate strategy into actionable plans, ensuring practical and timely execution.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Paid leaves
• Health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees