Senior Director, Global Program Team Leader

AstraZeneca•Boston, MA

2d•$206,994 - $310,490

About The Position

The Senior Director, Global Program Team Leader (GPTL) provides strategic direction and leads global drug development for one late-stage asset with potentially multiple indications, or two early-stage assets in different indications. As the accountable program owner, the GPTL leads and chairs the Global Project Team (GPT), which determines the overall strategy for the asset or assets across indications. The GPT develops an integrated development plan for each indication and oversees the program. The GPTL serves as the GPT’s primary representative to R&D Leadership, the Development Steering Committee, and the Executive Steering Committee. The role emphasizes proactive leadership and partnership with GPT members, project subteams, functional heads, and internal and external consultants. The GPTL stimulates productive discussion, motivates ownership and urgency when needed, supports robust identification and mitigation of risks, and clarifies the team’s purpose and responsibilities. The role also requires negotiation and persuasion skills to support program success, establish goals for the GDT, and set program-related goals for Core Team members. The position is generally conducted in an office environment. Employees must be able, with or without accommodation, to use a computer; communicate by phone, video, and electronic messaging; engage in problem-solving, analysis, and dialogue; collaborate with others; and maintain general availability during standard business hours. The listed annual base pay range is $206,993.60–$310,490.40. The position is eligible for short-term incentive bonuses and equity-based awards for salaried roles. Benefits include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (including vacation, holidays, and leaves), and health, dental, and vision coverage, subject to applicable plan terms.

Requirements

Total leadership experience, including line or project management and multidisciplinary program management, with leadership in more than one IND/IMPS, BLA/NDA/MAA, Advisory Committee, or other PMDA/EMA/FDA meeting.
At least five years of drug development experience in pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, or biotechnology.
Demonstrated experience leading development of at least one development candidate while adhering to quality, excellence, and efficiency.
Demonstrated experience leading drug development projects and activities in a matrixed, global organization.
Broad understanding of how to communicate and work effectively with team members, relevant stakeholders, scientists, and external decision-makers worldwide.
Thorough understanding of how to influence local and global regulatory, scientific, and commercial environments.
Ability to assimilate data, recognize key variables, and analyze complex situations to support strategic recommendations.
Realistic expectations of the business, oneself, and others.
Ability to build alliances within the organization locally and globally, and/or with corporate collaborators.
Focus on results rather than effort alone.
Tenacity to withstand short-term setbacks in pursuit of long-term advantages.
Broad understanding of multidisciplinary functions contributing to effective and efficient drug development.
Solid understanding of CMC, pharmacology, toxicology, PK, and clinical requirements supporting major regulatory filings, including IND/IMPD and BLA/NDA/MAA.
Excellent understanding of interdependencies among disciplines such as CMC, Pharm/Tox, PK, Clinical, Regulatory, Marketing, and Finance, including strategic planning and risk management across time, events, and costs locally and globally.
Firm understanding of how to educate, advise, and operate with respect to regulatory guidance, internal SOPs, and project best practices.
Ability to use a computer and communicate via phone, video, and electronic messaging; engage in problem-solving, analysis, and dialogue; collaborate; and maintain general availability during standard business hours.

Nice To Haves

An advanced life-science degree (MD, PhD, or PharmD), preferably with a specialty in Endocrinology, Metabolism, Rheumatology, Internal Medicine, or Clinical Pharmacology, or equivalent experience with global development.
Hands-on experience developing clinical-stage biological assets.
Regulatory exposure to major agencies.
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
Attention to detail and ability to think strategically.
Willingness to take on new responsibilities.
Interest and ability to learn about new therapeutic areas.
Interest in career progression and ability to take on more senior roles in 1–3 years.

Responsibilities

Own the program and hold final accountability for precise definitions of program goals, plans, decisions, and deliverables.
Develop the overall asset strategy, including indication sequencing and regulatory and CMC strategy across indications in development.
Provide strategic direction and leadership to GPTs to establish precise goals and robust development plans for effective and efficient asset development.
Ensure the GPT, functional subteams, and GPT members implement plans and meet key development milestones for assigned projects.
Contribute to objective setting and appraisal of Core Team members for program-related activities.
Keep senior management informed.
Ensure high-performance team effectiveness.
Lead and chair the Global Project Team and represent its position to R&D Leadership, the Development Steering Committee, and the Executive Steering Committee.
Set goals for the GDT and program-related goals for Core Team members.