Statistical Science Associate Director

Job Title: Statistical Science Associate Director

Career Level - E

Introduction to role

The Statistical Science Associate Director is a seasoned statistician in the pharmaceutical industry, responsible for independently leading statistical strategies, technical activities related to design, delivery, interpretation, high-level internal governance committees, and regulatory submissions. This role requires an individual who can lead, perform, and communicate results of complex analyses while guiding less experienced staff. The ideal candidate will be a competent individual contributor with excellent cross-functional collaboration skills.

The Statistical Science Associate Director may work as a lead statistician

• For a project or indication in clinical or preclinical therapeutic areas
• Leading the delivery and oversight on a multiple studies/indication within a project, potentially as a Global Project 
Statistician for a standard drug project
• Contributing to statistical methodological advances
The accountabilities for supporting projects directly include:
• Lead the statistical thinking and contributions to the delivery of studies, development plans, regulatory strategy, 
health technology assessment and/or commercial activities 
• Direct project work, including statistical staff and/or CRO partners, to ensure delivery to standards, quality and 
time
• Develop design options and provide high quality decision support to enable the business to make informed 
decisions about a study or project
• Quantify the benefit, risk, value and uncertainty of the emerging asset/product profile
• Investigate and apply novel statistical approaches, for relevant statistical issues and/or regulatory guidance and/or 
value demonstration, including modelling and simulation 
• Mentor/coach and support the education and training of statistics staff 
The accountabilities for supporting statistical methodological advances include:
• Ability to consult across project teams within area of expertise
• Application of expert skills to investigate, apply novel statistical approaches, for relevant statistical issues and/or 
regulatory guidance and/or value demonstration, including modelling and simulation 
• Produce pragmatic solutions, often within a tight time scale where the emphasis will be to deliver first, then refine 
and develop solutions thereafter
• Contribute to/or lead the development of a process improvement and/or capability area within the department
• Establish and improve standards and best practice, apply novel statistical approaches to increase effectiveness and 
efficiency
• Interact with external scientists and represent AstraZeneca Biometrics externally via publications and 
presentations on novel statistical approaches and best practice
• Mentor/coach and support the education and training of statistics staff in the technical arena

Essential Skills/Experience

• MSc/PhD in Statistics, Mathematics (containing a substantial statistical component), or recognized equivalent to stats MSc or equivalent experience.
• Track record of background in leading independently.
• Exemplary technical skills.
• Usually PhD in statistics or a relevant topic.
• Track record of expert leadership role or nationally recognized externally as a statistical technical authority.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• TA or disease area knowledge expertise.
• Exposure to business development opportunities (e.g., in licensing).
• Project management skills.
• Proficiency in programming SAS and/or R and Python.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we fuel bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. 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. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Take ownership, step up and innovate in a company that’s growing at pace! Fast-paced and ever-changing, it takes agility and responsiveness to stay committed in our pursuit of excellence. We work together with a sense of urgency to tackle the unanswered questions – innovating, challenging accepted norms, quick decision-making, and taking smart risks. We’ve created a culture where everybody, from all backgrounds, can be themselves and bring their true self to work. Our business is part of AstraZeneca’s journey to cultivate a culture of inclusion and belonging by internally building diverse teams, and on a wider scale, advancing societal change. A place of trust, it’s an opportunity to take accountability, be brave, speak up, step up and disrupt to change the game for Oncology, now and in the future.

Ready to make an impact? Apply now to join our team!

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 authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.