Cell Therapy Business Planning and Operations (BPO)

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. Within the AstraZeneca Cell Therapy Unit (CTU), our ambition is to realize the full potential of cell therapy for people living with cancer, immune-mediated, and rare diseases around the world. This unit has responsibility for the value chain from discovery through to late-stage development and commercialization. We are rapidly progressing a broad pipeline of cell therapies in collaboration with AstraZeneca’s Therapeutic Area Units.

Responsibilities

• Report to the COO Leader of Cell Therapy and be accountable for the development and administration for effective functioning of the Cell Therapy Leadership Team and the Cell Therapy Unit Subfunctions.
• Provide direct support for strategic and high-priority initiatives, driving operational excellence, owning process improvements, optimizing strategic planning, and building strong partnerships internally and externally.
• Work closely with the CT VP’s of subfunctional groups to enhance goal clarity, engagement, and organizational efficiency, ensuring alignment of activities and key messages between Leadership Team members, colleagues, and external leaders.
• Organize and drive various Leadership Team Meetings (virtual and face-to-face), including objective setting, agenda, logistics, meeting management, and documenting outcomes and action items.
• Partner with the Communications Lead to plan and organize CT events such as Townhalls, site visits, and speaking engagements.
• Own the development of the annual scorecard and priorities for assigned functions. Oversee the monthly and quarterly updates. Communicate updates to the Oncology R&D Leadership and Senior Executive Team where appropriate.
• Partner with the CT Leadership of assigned functions on the long-term strategy and vision.
• Partner with HR and Communications to ensure the Department is operating efficiently and is seen as a great place to work.
• Partner with Finance on financial planning, including regular contributions and updates during the mid-term planning and long-term planning financial cycles.
• Support and drive the AI and IT Strategy in collaboration with appropriate leadership.
• Support and build cross-functional relationships with key partners across the organization.
• Work across AZ to oversee performance/progress across all functions that are aligned to Cell Therapy.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 5+ years of pharmaceutical experience.
• Experience shaping, developing, and efficiently implementing plans.
• Strong organizational skills and a high degree of attention to detail.
• Project and process management expertise.
• Understanding of forecasts, budgets, financial processes, and tools.
• Understanding of the pharmaceutical business (including development).
• Cross-functional team experience.
• Experience leading through influence in a matrix organization.
• Experience in strategic planning processes and tools.
• Strong interpersonal, communication (written and oral), organizational, relationship-building, and consulting skills.

Qualifications (Preferred)

• Master’s Degree or PhD.
• Broad experience across multiple areas of Cell Therapy.
• Experience in an alliance or strategic partnership.
• Experience translating business needs into a coordinated plan from a cross-functional senior leadership team.
• Results-orientation with the ability to develop creative and simple solutions to sophisticated problems.

Schedule

In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace, and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility.

Pay

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $159,180.80 to $238,771.20 USD. 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

• Qualified retirement programs.
• Paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves).
• Health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

Why AstraZeneca

Here, unexpected teams come together to push scientific boundaries—combining deep expertise with groundbreaking technology and an entrepreneurial approach to build long-lasting vaccines and highly targeted antibodies. We move quickly and precisely. We work together across fields and geographies. Our goal is to turn complex science into medicines that strengthen global preparedness and provide lasting protection. We value kindness alongside ambition, empower people to lead, and back them with the tools, investment, and partnerships needed to create evidence that improves lives at scale.