Associate Director or Director of Portfolio and Strategy

Are you an expert in finance, resource planning, and business case creation? Are you ready to play a pivotal role supporting science within AstraZeneca? This is an outstanding opportunity to join our Strategy, Portfolio and Finance team within Business Planning and Operations (BPO) that is part of Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences (CPSS) function. 

We are recruiting an Associate Director/Director of Portfolio and Strategy, to join AstraZeneca’s vibrant R&D site in Gothenburg, Sweden. Depending on the selected candidate’s experience, the position may be appointed at Associate Director or Director level.

Who we are?
Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences (CPSS) brings scientific excellence to AstraZeneca R&D, with 700 team members across multiple global sites supporting BioPharma and Oncology. The function covers clinical pharmacology, pharmacometrics, non-clinical safety, pathology, bioanalytics, and lab animal sciences. Our objective is to partner seamlessly and inclusively across therapy areas, leveraging data and technology to deliver innovative, safe, and effective medicines. 

What you'll do?
In this role, you will proactively partner with the CPSS Leadership Team (LT) to provide operational and strategic leadership in a dynamic, fast-paced, and exciting area within BioPharma R&D. This includes overseeing global capacity management for the department, leading and driving strategic projects, and directing the business performance of the department. You will work in partnership with other BPO team members to ensure smooth operations across CPSS.

With a growth mindset, you will work in close collaboration with your peers across R&D to share and adopt best practices, drive continuous improvement of key business processes, and proactively identify opportunities for simplification and innovation.

Typical accountabilities include:
•    Strategic and operational leadership partner: Collaborate with the Head of Department and the Leadership Team to provide operational and strategic leadership 
•    Portfolio and resource management: Align capacity and resource planning with Department priorities; engage across CPSS and the broader organization to inform business planning and operations
•    Project management: Lead and drive strategic Department-focused projects, facilitating documentation and communication of goals, and tracking change management and continuous improvement
•    Business performance oversight: Direct Department business performance, including scorecard development, quarterly reviews, metrics, reporting, and budget tracking 
•    Financial planning: Support mid-range, long-range, and quarterly planning cycles in collaboration with Finance and Business Analysts 
•    Strategy & communications: Build and implement new strategies for the Department and contribute to Department communication priorities
•    Leadership team support: Enhance sub-department meeting efficiency through agenda planning, facilitation, and action tracking for the Department
•    Business information & data management: Provide robust, succinct information to support decision-making and maintain effective data management (FTE, vacancies, capacity, forecasting)

Essential requirements for the role: 
•    Degree in Life Sciences or Business
•    8+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry 
•    Leadership: 2+ years of experience leading and developing teams 
•    Experience in organizational leadership and budget management  
•    Understanding of drug discovery 
•    Familiarity with resources and skill needs across different modalities
•    Experience with stakeholder management 
•    Strong Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams skills

We’re looking for someone with effective communication, influencing, and interpersonal skills who can build strong relationships across diverse stakeholders. You are resilient and an independent problem-solver, comfortable working amid ambiguity and change. You bring a flexible, agile approach to adapting solutions and processes, ensuring outcomes are fit for purpose in a dynamic environment.

Preferred requirements for the role:
•    Demonstrated understanding of vivarium/in vivo operations, including facility management, regulatory compliance, and effective support for lab animal sciences 
•    Experience working cross-functionally, multi-culturally, and globally  
•    Experience supporting resource and capacity planning projects in complex R&D environments 

Work policy:
When we put people 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. This role is located in Gothenburg, Sweden and is not available for remote work or with travel support.

So, what’s next?
This is the place to make an impact! At AstraZeneca we ensure everyone can reach their full potential, perform at their best and make a valued contribution to the enterprise.
Does this sound like your next challenge and a good workplace for you? Welcome to apply today! We look forward to your application, no later than November 7, 2025.

Date Posted

22-okt.-2025

Closing Date

07-nov.-2025

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.