Director, IT Business Partner - RDU R&D IT

AstraZeneca•Boston, MA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

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 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. Introduction to role: Are you ready to turn AI-ready data and responsible AI into real advantages for scientists and patients? Do you see yourself partnering with R&D leaders to deliver decisions faster and shape how breakthrough medicines are developed? This role sits at the center of our effort to harness data and AI across the research-to-development journey in our rare disease organization within AstraZeneca. As a senior member of the R&D IT leadership team, you will partner across Research, Translational Medicine, Clinical Development, Regulatory, and Safety to identify high-value opportunities, design strategic technology and data roadmaps, and ensure successful execution of differentiating digital, data, and AI initiatives. This includes championing modern data architectures, trusted and well-governed data products, and scalable platforms that support advanced analytics and Gen-AI use cases. You will work regularly with senior R&D leaders, communicating complex technical and AI-driven concepts with clarity and driving strategic discussions that influence prioritization, investment, and transformation across the R&D value chain. Your role requires a continuous improvement mindset, strong leadership presence, and a passion for elevating how R&D teams discover, develop, and deliver medicines through intelligent, data-enabled, and AI-supported capabilities.

Requirements

10+ years of experience supporting R&D or adjacent biopharmaceutical functions, ideally with both IT and scientific/clinical exposure.
Strong understanding of end-to-end R&D processes from early discovery through postmarket activities.
Demonstrated experience partnering with senior executives and influencing enterpriselevel decisionmaking.
Proven track record delivering complex, highvalue programs using modern delivery methods including agile.
Hands-on experience with technology architecture, data models, enterprise platforms, and application design.
Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problemsolving capabilities.
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to translate between scientific, business, and IT stakeholders.
Experience with regulatory and compliance domains (GxP, data integrity, quality, privacy).
Ability to manage multiple initiatives in a fast-paced, evolving R&D environment.
Demand Management - Effectively managing and forecasting the organization's demand for products and services to ensure alignment with supply capabilities and strategic objectives
Portfolio Management - Optimizing the organization's investment portfolio to maximize value, optimize resource allocation, and balance risk and return.
Value Realization - Iidentifying and realizing the full potential value of the organization's products, services, and capabilities to drive profitability and growth.
Innovation - Fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement to develop new products, services, and business models that meet evolving customer needs.
Governance - Establishing clear decision-making processes, accountability, and oversight to ensure the alignment of business activities with strategic objectives and risk management practices.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in information technology or information sciences, or specific sciences.
Prior experience in leading edge technologies, such as Gen AI and advanced data modeling.
Experience with Bioinformatics and/or Diagnostics activities within Biopharmaceutical industry.

Responsibilities

AI-Ready Data Enablement Lead strategy and execution for enabling AIready data across the R&D ecosystem, including the development of standardized data models, governed data products, metadata strategies, and scalable data architectures. Partner with R&D data owners, governance bodies, and IT platform teams to ensure data is clean, discoverable, interoperable, and compliant with regulatory expectations to support AI/ML use cases.
AI-Solution Delivery Drive the delivery of AIpowered solutions that improve R&D efficiency, reduce cycle times, and enhance scientific and operational decisionmaking. Identify, evaluate, and implement AI and GenAI use cases R&D functions. Ensure solutions follow responsible AI practices, appropriate validation approaches, and adherence to compliance and privacy obligations.
Enterprise R&D Thought Leadership Serve as the primary IT partner to senior leaders across Research, Development, Regulatory, Safety, and Clinical Operations, ensuring technology strategy is directly aligned with functional and enterprise priorities. Proactively surface opportunities to leverage digital, data, AI, automation, and advanced analytics to accelerate decisionmaking and scientific/clinical outcomes.
Strategic Portfolio & Demand Shape and prioritize the multiyear R&D IT portfolio, balancing strategic impact, feasibility, and investment value. Lead demand intake and evaluation processes across all R&D functions, ensuring transparent prioritization and alignment to enterprise strategy.
Budgeting & Resource Optimization Own and manage R&D IT budget planning for your business areas. Monitor spend, optimize resource allocation, and ensure costeffectiveness across programs and vendor partnerships.
Risk & Compliance Identify risks across technology, delivery, and operations; develop mitigation strategies that uphold reliability, security, and regulatory requirements. Ensure adherence to relevant GxP, quality, data privacy, and corporate compliance standards across the R&D IT portfolio.
People & Organizational Leadership Recruit, mentor, and develop high-performing IT talent, including business architects, business analysts, project managers, and domain experts. Model and reinforce Alexion culture by promoting collaboration, empowerment, accountability, and continuous improvement.