Executive Director, Head of Strategy & Business Transformation
About The Position
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. We are more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. The CMO aspires to set the industry gold standard by driving innovative regulatory strategies and championing patient safety and quality across all activities. While anchored in Oncology R&D, the CMO supports the entire enterprise, including non-Oncology Therapeutic Areas, Global Markets, and Maintenance/Commercial functions. The CMO fosters a culture of ethical and scientific rigor, shaping and safeguarding the external regulatory and safety environment to achieve optimal patient outcomes. Reporting directly to the Chief Medical Officer and serving as a member of the CMO Leadership Team, the Executive Director, Head of Strategy & Business Transformation, plays a pivotal role in defining and executing the CMO’s short- and long-term business strategy. This leader will influence the CMO leadership team and AZ Senior Executive team on CMO high-impact strategies and designs.
Requirements
- Deep expertise in drug development and operational decision-making.
- Strong strategic and analytical mindset, with the ability to structure and resolve complex, ambiguous problems.
- Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and align cross-functional teams.
- Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, with the agility to move seamlessly between detailed analysis and high-level narrative.
- Proven success navigating matrixed organizations and collaborating across scientific, operational, and enterprise domains.
- Highly self-directed, with the ambition and capability to independently lead high-stakes, cross-functional initiatives.
- Masters in science/engineering or other advanced degree in appropriate discipline
- Experience in management consulting, corporate strategy, or pharma strategy/portfolio roles
- Exposure to enterprise planning cycles (e.g. MTP, governance, budget planning)
Nice To Haves
- Network in external innovation, AI, or digital health ecosystems is a plus
Responsibilities
- Design and lead high-impact strategic initiatives that advance the CMO’s operating model, including the AI roadmap.
- Leverage external insights from digital health, AI, and professional networks to inform capability-building, solution prioritization, and future-ready operations.
- Drive synergies, simplification, and productivity initiatives to achieve cost efficiencies across the CMO.
- Actively collaborate with internal and external networks to stay abreast of industry trends, contributing to and influencing evolving best practices.
- Present outcomes of key strategy implementation and business transformation projects AZ senior leadership, highlighting benefits in cost, speed, and quality, and demonstrating return on investment (ROI).
Benefits
- qualified retirement programs
- paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves)
- health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Number of Employees
5,001-10,000 employees
