Alliance Management Associate Director (Evidence Delivery, Oncology)

Medical Evidence Delivery Operations within the Oncology Business Unit (OBU) is responsible for the operational delivery of observational and interventional AstraZeneca sponsored studies (AZ studies), externally sponsored research (ESR) and early access programs (EAP) in order to generate the evidence to build confidence in and provide access to AstraZeneca therapies for patients in need.

The Alliance Management Associate Director (AMAD) is responsible for working with the OBU EDT and key business partners to understand the needs of the business and to optimise the strategy / models for the successful delivery of clinical trials and associated services in accordance with the strategy and delivery models. Will be part of periodic joint governance and/or team meetings to stay abreast of collaboration progress and tracking to contractual obligations.

The role will collaborate across OBU, BBU and R&D to ensure adequate strategic discussions are handled to drive successful collaborations and partnerships with AstraZeneca internal and external partners. Will serve as key point of contact for alliance management questions and support the entire OBU EDT.

Reesponsibilities:

• Ensure ongoing refinement of the strategy and delivery models to meet the needs of the business, including identification of the need for new providers / models

• Ensure appropriate implementation and use of delivery partnership models to maximize success, value and efficiency of AstraZeneca portfolio • Lead, plan and execute the operational aspects of alliances, including joint governance committees, ensuring alliance effectiveness, appropriate communications practices, coordination of activities, managing escalation and solving business problems • Ensure there is a common understanding of alliance governance, joint committees’ roles and responsibilities, shared goals, deliverables, and timelines

• Ensure ongoing oversight of the business relationships between AstraZeneca and its partners • Develop alliance KPIs / reporting for measuring alliance health and success

• Engage internal and partner stakeholders at all levels to leverage decision making process to effectively manage collaborations and partnerships • Work with procurement group to clarify contractual aspects of collaboration agreements to provide guidance internally to the team, committee members, and senior management to ensure a common understanding of the agreement obligations and milestones

• Keep up to date with trends in clinical trial delivery methods to help drive the business forward

• Work with the study teams to ensure current partnerships can meet the needs of the business, and that models evolve as needed to meet those needs • Proactively identify and lead optimal resolution of issues and conflicts in an equitable and timely manner

• Ensure ongoing assessment of new opportunities to drive efficiencies and contribute to the setup of new vendor relationships / models as appropriate

• Foster development of a collaborative, organizational culture and ensure successful relationships by supporting development of strong partnerships

• Embrace continuous improvement and innovation to drive excellence in delivery

Requirements:

Essential:

• Several years’ experience working within a Pharmaceutical organisation or CRO

• Expertise in strategic thinking, problem solving, and risk mitigation and be able to quickly become a trusted colleague to both internal and external stakeholders

• Anticipate and remove obstacles so that teams/workgroups can deliver results and succeed

• Ability to work independently and to collaborate with colleagues at all levels in various geographies ▪ Proven ability to operate independently, with little to no day-to-day direct supervision of work ▪ Strong interpersonal skills. Capacity to work cross-functionally and to influence people without direct authority ▪ Strong management and leadership qualities and a demonstrated ability to influence across company lines and functions ▪ Understanding of the drug development process and working knowledge of the essential activities for all key functional areas ▪ Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including specifically, the skills needed to manage difficult conversations and interactions as they arise

• Ability to build relationships with end users and have a customer-focused mindset

• High level of cultural sensitivity, interactive communication, negotiation and effective collaboration

• Extensive networking skills, ability to interact widely and effectively both internally and externally

• University degree (or equivalent) in business and or/sciences

Desirable:

• Previous work experience involving Contract Research Organizations

• Experience of communicating complex information at a senior level both verbally and written

• Knowledge of Lean / Agile methodologies

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.