Executive Director, Innovation & Transformation

Amgen • Thousand Oaks, CA

1d • $252,507 - $341,627

About The Position

In this vital role as Executive Director, Innovation & Transformation, you will be responsible for advancing the modernization and transformation of clinical operations across Amgen’s global development portfolio. This leader drives strategic innovation through adoption of emerging technologies, AI-enabled capabilities, process optimization, and operational transformation initiatives that improve quality, speed, efficiency, and scalability of clinical trial execution. This role serves as the implementation lead for the ACT FAST transformation initiative, providing enterprise program management and operational leadership across Global Development Organization (GDO) in partnership with the Global Networks framework, Technology, AI&D, and cross-functional stakeholders. This includes coordinating strategic initiatives, driving execution of transformation priorities, modernizing clinical trial processes, and advancing scalable, data-driven operational capabilities across the clinical development ecosystem. In addition, the role provides program management and operational oversight for execution of the GDO Strategic Business Plan, ensuring initiatives are prioritized, coordinated, tracked, and aligned with organizational objectives and transformation goals. The Executive Director, Innovation and Transformation reports to the AVP, Operational Excellence within GDO. This role is a member of the GDO leadership teams and strategic partner to Amgen India and R&D organizations.

Requirements

• Doctorate and 6+ years of clinical execution experience OR Master’s with 10+ years of clinical execution experience OR Bachelor’s with 12+ years of clinical execution experience AND 6 years of managerial experience directly managing people and/or leadership experience leading teams, projects, programs or directing the allocation of resources
• 15+ years of experience in clinical development, clinical operations, operational excellence, business transformation, program management, or related functions within the biopharmaceutical industry.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale enterprise transformation initiatives, including operating model redesign, process modernization, organizational change management, and business capability development.
• Experience implementing and scaling AI-enabled solutions, automation technologies, advanced analytics, and digital capabilities within clinical development or other regulated environments.
• Proven ability to establish and lead Program Management Offices (PMOs) supporting complex, cross-functional strategic initiatives and portfolio execution.
• Expertise in clinical operations, industry trends with advancement and core project management expertise.
• Experience with AI, digital health and informatics tools that may advance ways of working within the clinical trial ecosystem.
• Enterprise cross-functional leadership across clinical operations, technology, operational excellence, and transformation domains within a global environment.
• Deep understanding of clinical operations technologies, AI-enabled capabilities, automation, digital platforms, and enterprise data strategy.
• Expertise leading large-scale transformation initiatives, PMO functions, and complex cross-functional programs across clinical development organizations.
• Experience driving operational transformation, digital enablement, and organizational change management within highly matrixed environments.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to advance business performance through innovation, technology adoption, and modernization of clinical operations capabilities.
• Strong program and portfolio management expertise, including governance, prioritization, resource planning, budget oversight, and execution management.
• Ability to establish scalable operational frameworks, standardized processes, and enterprise program management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the implementation lead for the ACT FAST transformation initiative, driving execution of strategic priorities, operational transformation efforts, and organizational change activities across GDO.
• Develop and execute the GDO innovation and transformation roadmap aligned with enterprise R&D objectives, ACT FAST priorities, operational goals, and portfolio needs.
• Lead enterprise program management activities supporting execution of the GDO Strategic Business Plan, ensuring initiatives are prioritized, coordinated, tracked, and aligned across the organization.
• Lead modernization of clinical operations processes, workflows, and execution models to improve quality, scalability, efficiency, and speed of clinical trial delivery.
• Drive adoption of AI, automation, digital capabilities, and emerging technologies to enhance operational performance, decision-making, and organizational productivity.
• Partners across the Global Networks framework, Technology, AI&D, and business stakeholders to define and advance future-state operational capabilities and innovative ways of working.
• Champion continuous improvement and transformation initiatives that simplify operations, standardize processes, and strengthen organizational effectiveness.
• Facilitate the ACT FAST Executive Committee, including coordination of governance activities, strategic prioritization, executive communications, progress tracking, and decision-making support.
• Lead program management office (PMO) activities supporting cross-functional transformation, technology, and operational initiatives across GDO.
• Ensure transformation initiatives incorporate appropriate quality, compliance, and regulatory considerations through cross-functional partnership and governance.
• Build and lead a high-performing organization focused on execution and delivery of the GDO Strategic Business Plan and associated enterprise transformation commitments.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a global team while fostering a culture of accountability, agility, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee the GDO PMO responsible for coordinating functional and cross-functional strategic initiatives, transformation programs, and operational change efforts.
• Develop organizational capabilities, operating models, and skillsets required to support evolving business, technology, and portfolio needs.
• Partner closely with GDO leadership and enterprise stakeholders to align transformation priorities, resource needs, and execution plans.
• Collaborate across the Global Networks framework, Results Delivery Office, and GDO functions to ensure strategic initiatives, transformation activities, and operational priorities remain aligned and effectively executed.
• Support evaluation and integration activities related to new technologies, external partnerships, and organizational transformation opportunities, including M&A activities as applicable.
• Maintain external awareness of industry trends, competitive capabilities, and innovation opportunities that may enhance operational quality, efficiency, speed, and scalability.
• Provide GDO PMO leadership and operational oversight for R&D and GDO transformation initiatives, ensuring programs are executed effectively and aligned with strategic objectives, timelines, budgets, and business priorities.
• Oversee project governance processes including project planning, status reporting, milestone tracking, issue and risk management, dependency management, resource coordination, and executive communications.
• Establish and maintain standardized PMO frameworks to monitor initiative progress, financial performance, organizational adoption, and delivery outcomes in partnership with the Results Delivery Office, Finance, and other partner organizations.
• Lead portfolio-level tracking of project schedules, budgets, resource utilization, and transformation benefits realization across strategic initiatives.

Benefits

• Comprehensive employee benefits package, including a Retirement and Savings Plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts.
• A discretionary annual bonus program, or for field sales representatives, a sales-based incentive plan
• Stock-based long-term incentives
• Award-winning time-off plans and bi-annual company-wide shutdowns
• Flexible work models where possible.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree