Director, Alliance Management

Director, Alliance Management

Location: Cambridge, UK (3 days on site per week)

Are you energised by building high performing partnerships and driving operational excellence at scale? Do you have a strong background in alliance management within outsourced service models in pharma R&D? We’re recruiting a Director, Alliance Management to serve as Alliance Lead for one or more strategic partnerships with Contract Research Organisations (CROs), ensuring partners meet customer needs, deliver to contract, and that governance, communication, and relationship health are best-in-class.

This position is based at our Cambridge Biomedical Campus, a world-class R&D hub where cross functional teams, from clinical operations and data science to regulatory and quality, work together to advance innovative medicines. In this role, you will collaborate across regions and time zones, engaging global stakeholders and supplier leadership to align on strategy, governance, and continuous improvement, while leveraging Cambridge’s R&D hub’s vibrant ecosystem and facilities, as well connections with AstraZeneca’s cross-functional teams.

Accountabilities:

• Supplier/Model Governance: Lead alliance management for assigned suppliers and service lines; own operational governance, risk identification/escalation, and resolution; support audits; and contribute to executive and model-level forums.

• Quality and Performance: Define and monitor metrics/service level agreements (SLAs); ensure delivery to contract; maintain strong internal/external relationships; provide performance visibility; embed lessons learned; and drive continuous improvement.

• Study Team Support: Clarify roles and responsibilities across delivery teams and ensure effective interface processes and ways of working with suppliers.

• Alliance Management Development: Coach more junior team members; act as delegate for the AM/CRO Group Lead; and lead or support critical initiatives within and beyond Alliance Management.

Essential Requirements:

• University degree in a relevant field (or equivalent experience)

• Recent, direct senior level experience in strategic alliance leadership (partner governance, external engagement, senior internal stakeholder management) in early/late phase clinical trials within fully outsourced and FSP models. 

• Substantial experience in the pharmaceutical industry or a clinical research organization

• Detailed knowledge of clinical and pharmaceutical drug development across phases

• Proven experience managing external partners and strategic supplier relationships

• Experience directing alliance governance frameworks and performance metrics

• Strong leadership and influencing skills (including leading without formal authority)

• Effective collaboration across global and functional boundaries

• Excellent conflict resolution, mediation, and negotiation skills

• Demonstrated agility in complex problem solving with multiple stakeholders

• Familiarity with GCP and related guidelines

In Office Requirement:

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash 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.

Competitive salary and benefits package on offer.

The successful candidate will have access to a flexible employee benefits fund, including holiday purchase and flexible time off, pension contributions, Share Save Plans, A performance recognition scheme and a competitive, generous remuneration package.

Date Posted

11-Mar-2026

Closing Date

24-Mar-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.

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.