AstraZeneca

Senior Director, Global Program Team Leader

AstraZeneca$206K — $310K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of experience in pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical drug development.
  • Leadership experience in managing multidisciplinary programs through multiple regulatory phases (IND/IMPS, BLA/NDA/MAA).
  • Proven success in leading drug candidate development with a focus on quality and efficiency.
  • Experience managing drug development projects within a global, matrixed organization.
  • Strong communication skills for collaboration with international teams, scientists, and regulatory bodies.
  • Thorough understanding of regulatory, scientific, and commercial environments.
  • Ability to analyze complex data and provide strategic recommendations.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and chair the Global Project Team (GPT) to develop strategic asset direction.
  • Accountable for the program ownership, defining clear goals and deliverables.
  • Develop and implement the overall asset strategy, including regulatory and CMC provisions.
  • Ensure the GPT adheres to development milestones and plans.
  • Contribute to core team members' objective setting and appraisals for program activities.
  • Keep senior management updated on project status and developments.
  • Foster high-performance team effectiveness through proactive guidance and motivation.

Benefits

  • Eligible for various incentives, including short-term bonuses and equity awards.
  • Qualified retirement program options available.
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage provided.
  • Paid time off including vacation, holidays, and leaves.
  • Work in an office environment with standard business hour availability.
Full Job Description
Reporting to the TA Head, the SD, GPTL is responsible for providing strategic direction and leading the global drug development with one late stage asset that can have multiple indications in development, (or two early assets in different indications).

As the accountable program(s) owner, the GPTL, leads and chairs the Global Project Team (GPT), which determines the overall strategy for the asset/s across indications.

The GPT is responsible for creating an integrated development plan for each indication and overseeing the program. The GPTL is the "one voice" for the GPT up the line (R&D Leadership, Development Steering Committee and Executive Steering Committee). The GPT role is one of leadership, being proactive and interactive, and emphasizing partnership with all GPT members and Project Sub teams, functional heads and consultants both within, and outside R&D. The GPTL should stimulate creative and productive discussion, motivate, ownership and urgency (when necessary) as well as robust discussions of risk identification and mitigation opportunities, and ensure clarity of purpose and responsibilities with the GPT. The GPTL has the negotiation and persuasion skills necessary to ensure the program's success and sets goals for the GDT and specific program-related goals for the Core Team members.

You will be responsible for:

The GPTL is accountable for:

  • Program ownership with final accountability for precise definitions of program goals, plans, decisions and deliverables to meet those goals


  • Responsible for developing the overall asset strategy, including indication sequencing and the overall regulatory and CMC strategy to support all the indications under development.


  • Provide strategic direction and leadership to the GPTs to ensure precise goal setting and robust development plans for effective and efficient development of the asset overall.


  • Ensures that the GPT, functional subteams and GPT members implement plans and adhere to key development milestones for assigned projects.


  • Contributes to objective setting and appraisal of core team members for program-related activities


  • Keeps senior management informed


  • Ensures high-performance team effectiveness


You will need to have

  • Total leadership experience including line/project management, multidisciplinary program management experience, which includes leadership in more than one IND/IMPS, BLA/NDA/MAA, Advisory Committee or other PMDA/EMA/FDA meetings.


  • Minimum of five (8) years of experience in drug development in pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, or biotechnology.


  • Demonstrated experience leading the development of at least one development candidate with adherence to quality, excellence and efficiency.


  • Demonstrated experience leading drug development projects and activities in a matrixed, global organization.


  • A broad understanding of how to communicate and work well with team members and relevant people as well as scientists and external decision-makers worldwide.


  • A 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 substantiate strategic recommendations.


  • Has a realistic expectation of the business, oneself and others.


  • A style which builds alliance within the organization, locally/globally, and/or corporate collaborators.


  • Does not confuse effort for results.


  • Tenacity to weather short-term setbacks for long-term advantages.


  • Broad understanding of the multidisciplinary functions contributing to effective and efficient drug development.


  • Solid understand of CMC, pharmacology, toxicology, PK, clinical requirements to support major regulatory filings - IND/IMPD, BLA/NDA/MAA


  • Excellent understanding of the interdependencies of the various disciplines (e.g., CMC, Pharm/Tox, PK, Clinical, Regulatory, Marketing, Finance) - what needs to be evaluated simultaneously vs. sequentially etc. from a strategic planning/risk management time/event/cost point locally and globally.


  • Has a firm understanding of how to educate/advise/operate with respect to Regulatory Guidances/Internal SOPs/Project best-practice behaviors.


We would prefer for you to have:

  • An advanced life-science degree (MD, PhD or PharmD) is preferable, with a specialty in Endocrinology, Metabolism, Rheumatology, Internal Medicine or Clinical Pharmacology or equivalent experience with global development required.


  • Hands-on experience in developing biological assets in clinical stage.


  • Regulatory exposure to major agencies


  • Excellent written/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


  • The duties of this role are generally conducted in an office environment. As is typical of an office-based role, employees must be able, with or without accommodation to: use a computer; engage in communications via phone, video, and electronic messaging; engage in problem-solving and non-linear thought, analysis, and dialogue; collaborate with others; maintain general availability during standard business hours


The annual base pay for this position ranges from 206,993.60 - 310,490.40 USD Annual. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives-an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

Date Posted
29-Jul-2026

Closing Date
04-Aug-2026

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company that specializes in the research, development, and manufacturing of prescription drugs. The company was formed in 1999 through the merger of Astra AB and Zeneca Group plc. AstraZeneca's products are used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes. The company has operations in over 100 countries and employs more than 76,000 people worldwide. AstraZeneca is committed to developing innovative medicines that improve the health and well-being of people around the world.
Learn more about AstraZeneca
Size
83,100 employees
Market Cap
$211.5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$3.1 billion
Founded
1999
5 Year Trend
+10.2%
Revenue
$26.6 billion
NASDAQ

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