Executive Director, Global Programme Management – Cell Therapy

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MD

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Cell Therapy is a distinct modality where living cells are engineered to maximize clinical benefit in specific diseases. Unlike traditional drug modalities, cell therapy requires iterative engineering and continuous integration across Discovery, CMC, Translational Sciences, and Clinical Development—often continuing into and throughout the clinic. To meet these opportunities and challenges at pace and scale, and to support the AstraZeneca enterprise as it launches a dedicated Cell Therapy unit, we are establishing a GPPM Cell Therapy team to unify specialist programme leadership, drive enterprise decision quality, and ensure seamless end‑to‑end execution. The GPPM Executive Director, Cell Therapy will lead a focused, high‑performing Cell Therapy project and portfolio management unit with clear accountability for global development and commercial readiness across our cell therapy pipeline in hematology, solid tumor oncology, biopharma, and rare disease. Reporting to the SVP, GPPM and a core member of the GPPM Leadership Team, you will shape modality strategy, influence enterprise investments, and ensure integrated delivery from concept through lifecycle management.

Requirements

• BA/BS with 10+ years in life sciences or consulting focused on life science programs; or MS/MBA with 8+ years; or PhD/MD with 5+ years.
• Demonstrated progression to senior leadership with line accountability.
• Deep oncology and/or immunology expertise with hands‑on Cell Therapy or adjacent advanced therapy experience (e.g., CAR‑T, TCR‑T, NK, iPSC‑derived, gene‑modified cell products) influencing portfolio and investment decisions.
• Proven executive presence; ability to influence and align SVP/VP stakeholders and senior governance in a fast‑paced, highly matrixed setting.
• Track record of leading high‑performing, cross‑functional development teams delivering through complex CMC/clinical intersections and regulatory milestones.
• Strong strategic thinking with evidence‑based decision‑making and financial acumen (forecasts, budgets, risk‑adjusted valuations).

Nice To Haves

• PhD in life sciences or MD with translational/clinical insight in Cell Therapy.
• Deep knowledge of end‑to‑end pharmaceutical R&D and Cell Therapy specifics: clinical trial design for cellular products, CMC (process development, analytics, comparability), global regulatory dynamics (e.g., expedited pathways, RMAT), and global pricing/reimbursement for advanced therapies.
• Experience building or leading program management functions, including standards, playbooks, and analytics for complex modalities.
• Global leadership across partners and geographies; experience with external development/CMC partners and commercialization of advanced therapies.

Responsibilities

• Own the Cell Therapy portfolio view across hematology, solid tumour oncology, biopharma, and rare disease—from early discovery through to commercial readiness.
• Provide clear, evidence-based recommendations on where to invest, where to accelerate, and where to stop, accounting for the unique economics and risks of cell therapy (manufacturing scalability, vein-to-vein logistics, comparability, supply chain).
• Partner with senior leaders across Therapeutic Areas, Disease Councils, and enterprise governance to ensure Cell Therapy strategy is coherent, funded, and prioritised.
• Translate strategy into executable development plans through your GPM team, connecting product design, manufacturing readiness, translational biomarkers, and clinical endpoints into a single integrated narrative.
• Support the rapid design–test–learn cycles that define cell therapy: ensure manufacturing changes, clinical feedback, and regulatory requirements are managed together—not in silos.
• Ensure programmes are ready at each critical gate (IND filing, first-in-human dosing, pivotal study start, BLA/MAA submission) with no gaps between what the science needs and what manufacturing and regulatory can deliver.
• Use data—manufacturing throughput, patient logistics, probability-of-success modelling—to spot problems early and make better decisions faster.
• Create and lead the GPPM Cell Therapy unit: recruit, develop, and coach programme managers who understand both the science and the enterprise.
• Set clear standards, operating rhythms, and ways of working that reflect the pace and complexity of cell therapy development.
• Act as player–coach: set direction and remove barriers at the enterprise level while staying close enough to programmes to intervene when needed.
• Build succession depth for critical roles and develop talent capable of stepping into senior leadership.
• Establish operating rhythms that give senior leaders transparency on progress, risks, and trade-offs without unnecessary bureaucracy.
• Link externally—partners, CDMOs, regulators, HTA bodies—to inform strategy and unblock delivery.
• Drive innovation in how we work: digital chain-of-identity solutions, manufacturing digital twins, AI-enabled portfolio analytics, and whatever else makes cell therapy faster and more reliable.

Benefits

• qualified retirement program [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: Executive