Director, Finance — Development, Regulatory & Safety (DRS) & Global Project and Portfolio Management (GPPM)

This is what you will do:

We are seeking an accomplished and strategic Finance Leader to serve as the lead financial partner for Development, Regulatory & Safety (DRS) and Global Project and Portfolio Management (GPPM). In this highly visible role, the Director will work closely with the Development Leadership Team (DLT) and Head of Program Management to provide financial stewardship, strategic insight, and analytical rigor that enables informed decision‑making across their functions.

The successful candidate will combine deep financial expertise with strong business partnership skills, supporting a complex, fast‑paced R&D environment where scientific priorities and resource needs evolve rapidly.

The Director will also have enterprise-level responsibilities across R&D, driving standardization, improving analytical and forecasting capabilities, and ensuring consistency in reporting and insights across the broader R&D Finance organization.

You will be responsible for:

Strategic Finance & Business Partnership

• Act as the primary Finance business partner for DRS and GPPM leaders and their respective leadership teams.

• Provide strategic insights on investments, trade-offs, resource projections and allocations, cost management, and prioritization.

• Drive clear, data‑based recommendations to support investment decisions and operational execution.  Build scenario models as needed

• Translate scientific and operational plans into financial implications, ensuring leadership has a strong understanding of risks, opportunities, and required actions.

• Lead financial planning cycles, including annual budgets, long‑range forecasts, and quarterly updates.

• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of monthly results, accruals, and performance reporting.

• Partner closely with Development Operations, Program Management, Regulatory Affairs, and Safety functions to ensure financial alignment with operational plans.

• Develop and maintain robust dashboards, KPIs, and analytics supporting resource planning and organizational performance.

• Manage and mentor finance professionals supporting the R&D functions.

• Support investments in key capability builds within the functions (e.g. AI)

• Cultivate a culture of curiosity, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Partner with Finance leadership to drive process excellence, capability building, and consistent ways of working across R&D Finance.

• Support headcount request and approval process for respective functions

You will need to have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field; MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred.

• 10+ years of progressive finance experience, including significant exposure to R&D, Development, Regulatory, or technical operations in biotech/pharma.

• Strong track record influencing senior leaders and driving cross‑functional decision-making.

• Advanced financial modeling, forecasting, and analytical skills.

• Ability to synthesize complex information and communicate clearly to both financial and non‑financial audiences.

• Demonstrated leadership experience and success managing high‑performing teams.

Alexion Canada

Since beginning our operations in Canada in 2009, Alexion has been working tirelessly to bring innovative medicines to the millions of Canadians living with rare diseases. Our pioneering 30-year legacy, our scientific expertise and our commitment to patient-centric decision-making are the foundations of what we are today – a company with a mission to transform lives.

Our Canadian team

We know that people living with a rare disease and their families deserve our unwavering commitment and investment into finding and accessing therapies that help them live longer, fuller lives. Our presence in Canada has grown to over 200 employees and includes a global research and development hub, made up of highly skilled professionals responsible for conducting our clinical trials in Canada and around the world, as well as our dedicated and passionate local teams that ensures our treatments reach those who need them. Together, we are driving patient impact locally and globally.

How we work
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 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.

Alexion 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 authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements. Alexion is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Such accommodation is available on request in respect of all aspects of the recruitment, assessment and selection process and may be requested by emailing AZCHumanResources@astrazeneca.com.

Annual base salary for this position ranges from $143,179.20 to $187,922.70. AstraZeneca is committed to providing fair and equitable compensation opportunities to all colleagues. Our compensation policies and practices have been designed to allow colleagues to progress through the salary range over time as they progress in their role. The range provided in this posting represents an offer pay range used in a majority of situations. The base pay offered will vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including the candidate's skills and experience, job-related knowledge, and other specific business and organizational needs.  In some cases, offers outside the range may also be considered to address unique circumstances.

In addition, our permanent positions offer an annual Variable Pay Bonus/Short Term Incentive opportunity as well as eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (if applicable to role).  Benefits offered for permanent roles include a competitive Flex Benefits & Retirement Savings Program, 4 weeks’ paid vacation, and annual Personal Days. Fixed Term Contract/Temporary positions (excluding students) are offered a Contract Benefits Program.

We are using AI as part of the recruitment process.

This advertisement relates to a current vacancy.

Date Posted

Closing Date

Alexion is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging where every single person can belong because of their uniqueness. The Company will not make decisions about employment, training, compensation, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment based on race, color, religion, creed or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, marital status, pregnancy, (including childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), parental status (including adoption or surrogacy), military status, protected veteran status, disability, medical condition, gender identity or expression, genetic information, mental illness or other characteristics protected by law. Alexion provides reasonable accommodations to meet the needs of candidates and employees. To begin an interactive dialogue with Alexion regarding an accommodation, please contact accommodations@Alexion.com. Alexion participates in E-Verify.