【AstraZeneca】【R&D】Personal Assistant, R&D Japan

Role Description
The Personal Assistant to the Head of R&D Japan is responsible for performing a wide range of high impact executive, administrative and project-oriented activities in direct support of the Head of R&D Japan and the R&D Japan leadership team. The role involves initiating and managing executive level contacts globally, supporting enterprise-level drug project and portfolio governance forums, and operating within a dynamic, complex, and fast paced environment with highly sensitive and confidential information. The Personal Assistant acts as a trusted partner and gatekeeper to the Head of R&D Japan, enabling effective leadership focus, operational rhythm, and stakeholder engagement across internal and external networks.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides advanced executive administrative services to the Head of R&D Japan, including proactive calendar management, prioritization of commitments, preparation and briefing for internal/external meetings, coordination of complex, multi-time zone meetings and leadership off-sites, and end to end travel planning in line with AZ policy.
• Resolves complex, sensitive, and time critical queries and issues on behalf of the Head of R&D Japan to meet stakeholder and business requirements, exercising sound judgement and discretion.
• Partners with internal and external stakeholders (e.g., global R&D leaders, project teams, corporate functions, key opinion leaders, academic and industry partners) on nontypical, confidential, or complex matters, ensuring timely follow up and outcomes.
• Participates in establishing a deep understanding of internal customer and stakeholder requirements to ensure that planned activities and services meet needs; monitors service quality and operational cadence to ensure requirements are fully met.
• Prepares meeting agendas, collates and synthesizes pre reads, tracks actions/decisions, and coordinates follow through for leadership team and governance forums; maintains clear records to support continuity and auditability.
• Maintains and develops expertise in appropriate IT and collaboration systems (e.g., Microsoft 365 suite, expense and travel systems, procurement tools, information management platforms), enabling efficient self service support and resolution of time consuming queries from stakeholders.
• Possesses broad business understanding of R&D operations, portfolio governance, and cross functional processes, using this knowledge to anticipate needs, streamline workflows, and add value to existing processes when appropriate.
• Ensures strict confidentiality, compliance, and policy adherence in all activities; serves as a role model for ethical conduct, data privacy, and information security within the executive office.

Requirements
Essential

• 7 or more years of relevant administrative experience with proven progression supporting senior executives (VP/C‑Suite or equivalent) in global organizations, including strong English and Japanese communication skills.
• Excellent organization skills, including strategic planning and prioritization, proactive risk and dependency management, and consistent policy enforcement in a dynamic, fast paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks and stakeholders, triaging high priority and urgent items for immediate action and maintaining focus on long term deliverables.
• Proven discretion, confidentiality, and sound judgement when handling sensitive information and complex or ambiguous situations.
• Experience coordinating complex, multi‑stakeholder meetings and events across time zones, including preparation of leadership materials and briefing packs.
• Strong business acumen with basic to intermediate knowledge of financial processes, procurement, purchase and order operations, and legal/contracting workflows; ability to support budget tracking, purchase requests, and vendor coordination.
• Excellent team working, networking, and influencing skills to develop solutions across functions and seniority levels; ability to build trust and collaborate effectively with global stakeholders.
• Demonstrated proficiency with a variety of IT systems and information management software, including advanced Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, Excel, Word, SharePoint/OneDrive), and corporate travel/expense and procurement tools.
• Experience working in a global pharmaceutical or healthcare environment.

Date Posted

09-2月-2026

Closing Date

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 authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

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.