USMA Operations Manager

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MD

8d • $125,000 - $187,700

About The Position

The Strategic Operations Manager (SOM) strengthens execution across US Oncology Medical Affairs by providing operational leadership for USMA and SPMD priorities, leading selected USMA initiatives, and managing the Canada-based Business Specialist team. The role connects priorities to plans, resources, decisions, and delivery while ensuring consistent support across franchises and functions.

The SOM partners with USMA Business Planning, SPMs, SPMDs, CIME, and other functions. It combines people leadership, operations, and hands-on leadership in a matrix environment.

The annual base pay ranges from $125,000 to $187,700 USD. Base pay may vary based on market location and job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The position offers a short-term incentive bonus opportunity and, for salaried roles, eligibility to participate in an equity-based long-term incentive program. Benefits include a qualified retirement program (401(k)), paid vacation and holidays, paid leaves, and medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage, subject to applicable plan terms and conditions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, science, healthcare, or a related discipline.
• At least 2 years of pharma or healthcare experience.
• Experience leading complex projects, programs, or operations in a matrixed environment.
• Demonstrated people leadership, coaching, performance management, and development.
• Ability to prioritize competing demand and deploy resources against business priorities.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders without direct authority.
• Strong planning, financial, risk-management, facilitation, and executive-communication skills.
• Experience establishing consistent ways of working and driving change.
• Proficiency with project management tools and Microsoft 365, and responsible use of AI.
• Working knowledge of compliance, quality, and governance expectations.

Nice To Haves

• MBA, MS, or relevant advanced degree.
• PMP or equivalent certification.
• Medical Affairs, Oncology, or pharmaceutical experience.
• Experience leading a centralized business support, planning, or operations team.
• Lean Six Sigma, Agile, or change-management experience.
• Experience leading a geographically distributed or Canada-based team within a US organization.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate SPMD priorities, planning cycles, decisions, actions, and executive updates.
• Lead assigned cross-franchise or cross-functional USMA initiatives.
• Manage Business Specialist objectives, workload, performance, development, succession, recruitment, onboarding, and engagement.
• Assess demand and capacity and assign or rebalance support against agreed priorities.
• Define consistent responsibilities, ways of working, templates, quality expectations, and escalation routes for Business Specialist teams.
• Coordinate agreed business-planning activities and connect operational plans, budget inputs, and implementation.
• Track initiative and team KPIs and support corrective action.
• Simplify processes and use digital and AI tools responsibly to improve quality, speed, and consistency.
• Ensure work follows applicable policies, quality requirements, and financial controls.

Benefits

• Qualified retirement program (401(k) plan).
• Paid vacation and holidays.
• Paid leaves.
• Medical coverage.
• Prescription drug coverage.
• Dental coverage.
• Vision coverage.
• Short-term incentive bonus opportunity.
• Eligibility to participate in an equity-based long-term incentive program for salaried roles.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager