Introduction to role:
Are you ready to lead complex, global clinical studies that accelerate life-changing medicines to patients? As a Global Study Associate Director, you will own delivery across the full study lifecycle, bringing clarity, pace and high standards to cross-functional teams and external partners. Your leadership will ensure studies are set up for success, risks are anticipated and addressed, and turning points are met without compromising quality.
You will be the connector and catalyst that aligns study teams, technology, processes and providers to deliver measurable results. How will you guide diverse collaborators to make confident decisions and keep studies inspection-ready while meeting timelines and budget? In this role, you will turn strategy into execution and execution into positive results for patients and the business.
Accountabilities:
- Global Study Delivery Leadership: Provide direction to cross-functional study teams and drive achievement of key milestones against agreed timelines, budget and quality standards.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ensure effective communication and alignment across study teams, internal collaborators, external partners, and service providers to remove obstacles and accelerate progress.
- Study Planning and Performance: Maintain clear, dynamic project plans; track performance rigorously; keep study information and timelines accurate and up to date to enable critical action.
- Risk and Issue Management: Proactively identify and manage risks; develop mitigation and contingency plans; bring up with clarity to protect study delivery.
- CRO and Provider Oversight: Lead oversight of CROs and external service providers to secure delivery against contracted quality, timeline and budget expectations.
- Study Documentation Stewardship: Contribute to the development and maintenance of essential study documents, ensuring consistency with processes and regulatory requirements.
- Quality, Compliance and Inspection Readiness: Safeguard adherence to ICH-GCP, SOPs and governance; provide robust Trial Master File oversight to sustain inspection readiness.
- Budget Management and Forecasting: Monitor study budgets and forecasts; identify financial risks early and define corrective actions to maintain fiscal rigor.
- High-Performing Team Environment: Foster a culture of accountability and effective decision-making; navigate competing priorities and empower teams to perform at their best.
- Continuous Improvement: Identify and share innovative ways of working; scale standard methodologies across Clinical Operations to improve speed, quality and reliability.
Essential Skills/Experience:
- A university degree or equivalent experience, preferably within medical, biological or life sciences, or another clinical research-related field.
- Approximately 5 years of relevant clinical experience within the pharmaceutical industry, including around 2 years of project management experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
- Strong understanding of clinical study management, clinical/drug development and relevant regulatory requirements, including ICH-GCP.
- Demonstrated project management and cross-functional team leadership experience.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with internal and external collaborators, including navigating challenges and conflicting priorities.
- Strong communication, organisational, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to prioritise while maintaining a strong focus on quality, timelines and successful study delivery.
Desirable Skills/Experience:
- An advanced degree, including an MSc or PhD, or equivalent experience.
- A recognised project management certification.
- Experience managing clinical studies or projects at a global level.
- Experience across multiple phases of the clinical study lifecycle.
- Previous experience within Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), or experience supporting clinical development programmes within this therapeutic area.
Why AstraZeneca:
Here you will work with curious minds in an open, inclusive environment where unexpected teams gather in the same room to unleash bold thinking. We combine deep scientific expertise with digital, data science and AI to push the boundaries of what’s possible, partnering with academia and biotechs to move faster and smarter. Your decisions will shape studies that advance a strong, diverse pipeline and create tangible impact for patients worldwide. We value kindness alongside ambition, and give you the freedom, tools and collaboration to learn, experiment and lead.
Call to Action:
Bring your leadership to global studies that matter—step forward and make your mark today!
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Date Posted
12-nov.-2026Closing Date
26-nov.-2026Our 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.