Associate Director, Business Planning and Project Management
AstraZeneca

At AstraZeneca's Oncology R&D division, we follow the science to explore and innovate. We are working towards treating, preventing, modifying, and even curing some of the world's most complex diseases. Here we have the potential to grow our pipeline and positively impact the lives of billions of patients around the world. We are committed to making a difference and have built our business around our passion for science. Now we are fusing data and technology with the latest scientific innovations to achieve the next wave of breakthroughs.

The Associate Director Business Planning and Project Management manages the clinical site project portfolio and lifecycle and related projects for Neogene's portfolio of T-cell therapy programs. You will integrate the inputs across each of the Tech Ops functions to form the project portfolio and business planning goals. This position is based in Santa Monica, CA, and reports to the Clinical Manufacturing Site Head.

What you will do:

• Communication - to create detailed reports and plans
  
• Meet project goals
  
• Leadership - to oversee and brief staff on how to manage projects
  
• Customer service - to know what customers need and find ways to provide it for them through focused solutions
  
• Ensure operational plans are tracked and highlight progress towards main milestones to ensure agreement of task dependencies associated with internal and external manufacturing activities. Responsible for efforts associated with process development, analytical development, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain.
  
• Contribute to working plans and timelines, help teams find and address risks, and ensure resources to achieve program goals.
  
• Maintain requisite project documentation including detailed timelines, resource allocation, and task prioritization to ensure delivery of the site operating plan and milestones.
  
• Use tools including scenario planning, gap analysis, escalation process, and, risk management in collaboration with team members, program teams, and functional leads.
  
• Communicate for multiple audiences detailed project or business plans to ensure clarity of deliverables and timing including identifying drivers for each action item.
  
• Conduct financial analysis and forecasting to support decision-making and resource allocation for site operations and project portfolio.
  
• Coordinate site teams, including scheduling meetings, and organizing ad hoc working groups. sending out agendas, writing and distributing meeting summaries, managing team documentation, and tracking goals and action items.
  
• Work with external and internal technical subject matter experts to track deliverables and action items, and manage agendas, timelines, and agreement on the CMC development plan.
  
• Promote a culture of collaboration, cooperation, inclusion, execution excellence, and cross- to become a high-performing team.
  

Required Abilities

• Pre-IND through clinical manufacturing experience or site operations is ideal.
  
• Proficiency in financial modeling, and data analysis tools.
  
• Relevant training (PMP or equivalent).
  
• Knowledge of GxP, Quality Systems, and FDA regulations.
  
• Experience with CMC development and manufacturing.
  
• Excellent oral and written, leadership and collaboration skills.
  
• Hands-on experience working in a CMC function.
  
• Solid knowledge of Microsoft Project and other project management tools.
  
• Lead without direct reporting responsibility by setting clear vision, respecting value of subject matter expertise, and empowering team members to implement.
  
• Experience with drug development, biologics manufacturing, and global operations.
  

Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Arts or Sciences degree with 10+ years of experience OR Masters or MBA with 8+ years of experience.
  
• Industry experience in an operations or relevant technical field (such as chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, biochemistry, molecular biology, chemical engineering, or equivalent.)
  
• Five (5) plus years of experience in project management in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry with a first-hand understanding of the drug development process, with prior experience in a CMC leadership role.
  

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $117,090 to $175,636. However, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles) or to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

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