Clinical Research & Development Associate Director

About the Role

A leadership role combining clinical, scientific, commercial, and operational expertise to drive the successful development and delivery of novel therapeutic approaches for inflammatory myopathies, JIA, and/or Sjogren’s Disease. Responsible for integrating research and development strategies, ensuring robust, commercially viable study designs and execution, and optimizing cross-functional collaboration from early research through to late-stage clinical development and lifecycle management.

Responsibilities

• Integrate the research and commercial aspects of drug development to ensure successful, value-creating product development, either by overseeing a team of clinical research professionals or by supporting such a team as an expert in one or more areas of clinical research.
• Design and oversee studies to assess both scientific and commercial viability of drugs and portfolios, interpreting results as team head or expert contributor.
• Maintain a continuous focus on both scientific rigor and commercial goals, ensuring products meet regulatory, market, and patient needs throughout their lifecycle.
• Plan, monitor, and manage the delivery of all clinical development study components, including operational feasibility assessment, timelines, budgets, risk/contingency planning, and resource allocation.
• Provide strategic and operational input into global clinical development plans and ensure implementation of agreed processes, technologies, and best practices.
• Lead the selection and negotiation processes for CROs and external partners, ensuring timely, quality delivery to specified standards.
• Participate in steering committees, regulatory defense teams, and submission assemblies; coordinate and contribute to the preparation of submission documentation for regulatory authorities.
• Serve as a communication bridge between internal and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment and timely dissemination of critical project information throughout the product lifecycle.
• Champion and sustain a culture of courageous leadership, innovation, and collaboration; develop and mentor clinical research and development staff in support of professional growth and project excellence.
• Monitor team and project performance, provide constructive feedback, and ensure compliance with Safety, Health, Environment, and all other relevant internal or external standards and regulations.

Qualifications

Essential:

• Advanced clinical degree (M.D., PhD, or equivalent) in a scientific, medical, or health-related discipline.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the drug development process.
• Demonstrated knowledge of AstraZeneca line and project management tools and processes.
• Good understanding of the therapeutic areas related to AZ products.
• Ability to understand integrated worldwide and regional delivery needs.
• Very good knowledge of oral and written communication in English.
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally.

Desirable:

• Ability to mentor, develop, and educate staff.
• Proven leadership promoting motivation and empowerment of others to accomplish individual, team, and organizational objectives.
• Manages change with a positive approach and flexibility; sees change as an opportunity to improve performance and add value to the business.
• Ability to look for and champion more efficient and effective methods/processes of delivering Clinical Development, focusing on key performance metrics around reliability, productivity, cost, and quality.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, negotiation, collaboration, and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with others at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to set and manage priorities, resources, performance targets, and project initiatives in a regional and local environment.
• Integrity and high ethical standards.

Key Relationships

Internal: Study Delivery personnel; Data Management Centre representatives; Clinical Project Team and therapy area personnel; Clinical Development personnel; Clinical Pharmacology Units; Study Site personnel; Regional Monitoring personnel; Other Skill Centres as appropriate.

External: External service providers; Clinicians and scientists; Patient advocacy groups; Alliance site partners.

Date Posted: 09-Aug-2026 | Closing Date: 03-Sep-2026