Senior Director, Alliance and Integration Management

AstraZeneca • Boston, MA

53d

About The Position

The Business Development Operations (BDO) team is a stand-alone business unit within AstraZeneca that pursues a range of value-enhancing business development opportunities that have a clear strategic fit with our portfolio and commercial capabilities. These transactions can be alliances and strategic asset acquisitions to enhance our portfolio and pipeline in our main therapy areas, externalisation activity to broaden or accelerate the value in our pipeline, or divestments to streamline our focus. Reporting to the Head of Alliance and Integration Management (AIM), the Senior Director, Alliance and Integration Management will manage and optimize the value of late-phase development/commercial alliances, lead the integration of complex partnerships/asset-acquisitions, and lead the transition of divestments across the global business. In addition, the Senior Director, in collaboration with the Alliance and Integration Management team, will establish an industry leading Alliance and Integration Management (AIM) capability that improves AstraZeneca’s reputation as the ‘Partner of Choice’. This will be accomplished through the development and constant improvement of tools, techniques and processes in Alliance and Integration Management, by influencing and supporting Alliance Managers across other functions and therapeutic areas, and by becoming recognized by our partners as a trusted ombudsman in key strategic alliances. Through exceptional leadership, strong cross-functional alignment and collaboration with multiple groups (executive leadership, business development, legal, finance, commercial, operations, clinical, regulatory) and the solid building of effective partner relationships, this role ensures cohesive engagement with the overall Alliance and Integration Management performance objectives. The Senior Director, Alliance and Integration Management is a highly visible, impactful role with the opportunity for advancement to many other progressive leadership roles within the company.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in business, legal, finance or life sciences discipline
• 10+ years' relevant pharmaceutical/biotech industry experience with at least 5 or more years' work experience in legal, finance, contract development & administration, business development, licensing, strategic planning, research, development, commercial, or operations; multi-disciplinary experience is a plus.
• Thorough understanding of contracts, partnerships, negotiation tactics, alliance management and M&A integration. Transition experience including carve-outs, divestitures and developing best practices preferred.
• Keen understanding of the scientific drug development process, regulatory and commercial concepts, and working knowledge of the essential activities for all key functional areas.
• Analytical thinker who can frame complex problems and articulate clear, data-driven recommendations. Problem analysis and resolution at both a strategic and tactical level.
• Impeccable relationship building / negotiating and interpersonal skills to navigate organizations with diplomacy and with individuals across all levels. High EQ. Ability to build consensus between multiple internal / external partners, functions, and stakeholders.
• Superb negotiation and conflict resolution skills; ability to manage difficult conversations, opposing agendas and interactions as they arise. Highly developed meeting facilitation skills.
• Excellent judgement – regarding the “how”, “what”, and “when” of addressing alliance partners and key stakeholders with sensitive issues.
• Polished executive presence and strong communication skills (verbal, written, and presentation) with the ability to synthesize complex information and support effective decision making. Effectively communicate with senior leadership, the broader AstraZeneca population and external partners.
• Self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, dynamic environment and “roll-up your sleeves” culture. Ability to independently drive partnership / acquisition objectives.
• Highly motivated, results-oriented individual with passion for leveraging differences and doing right for patients. Creative, problem-solving mindset and ability to work in multicultural environment. Unparalleled commitment to team and company values.

Nice To Haves

• MBA or CA-AM/CSAP certification is a plus

Responsibilities

• Leading the integration and alliance activities for high priority and complex company acquisitions, divestitures, strategic alliances and other deal types, through global cross-functional teams
• Driving the rapid establishment of optimised, efficient business processes for integrated entities and alliance relationships that deliver the value underpinning the business case for the deal whilst balancing and managing business, legal, and human risks appropriately
• Reporting progress for the most important acquisitions and alliances across AZ to SET and senior stakeholders and recommending areas for performance improvement
• Ensuring compliance with all alliance contractual provisions, managing contractual disputes, and coordinating alliance contract renegotiation or amendments when required.
• Facilitating key alliance governance meetings, developing partnership interventions to increase teamwork/trust between AZ and its partners. (Particular focus on oncology alliances.)
• In collaboration with Transaction Directors, driving early inclusion of governance and integration/transition planning through the Due Diligence process and ensuring seamless transition post signature into the alliance / Integration ‘kick off’ through steady state and eventual alliance termination.
• In collaboration with Transaction Directors, negotiate and execute the Transition Services Agreements (TSA) and all associated schedules for acquisitions and divestments.
• Developing and implementing best in industry approaches to Alliance and Integration Management
• Developing and implementing tools, techniques and processes to support future activities and establish an AZ way of working in partnerships
• Driving and embedding a strong culture of continuous improvement across the AZ Alliance Management community, ensuring key learning is applied to subsequent alliances / integrations
• Enhancing the broader AZ AIM functional capabilities, through developing and implementing tools, training and development programmes
• Acting as a spokesperson / ambassador for AZ at Alliance, Integration and BD meetings, ensuring that AZ is seen as a leader in the field of alliance and integration management

Benefits

• qualified retirement program 401(k) plan
• paid vacation and holidays
• paid leaves
• health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans
• short-term incentive bonus opportunity
• eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees