Global Project Leader - Neuroscience (Director, Senior Director)

Global Project Leader - Neuroscience

(Director or Senior Director Level)

Location: Cambridge

Competitive salary and flexible benefits

Diverse Minds. Bold Disruptors. Meaningful Impact.

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven BioPharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious disease. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.

Fast-paced and collaborative, this is a science-led organisation, regardless of the role you provide. It’s not every career that offers the chance to make a lasting impact on the human race and, as one our three strategic hubs, AstraZeneca UK is well positioned for scientific excellence and collaboration.

It takes resilience to embody our entrepreneurial spirit. For those who thrive on experimentation, you’ll get to work with knowns and unknowns. Exploring without limits!

What we’re looking for

In this global leadership role for neuroscience projects, you will be encouraged to provide strategic and tactical leadership to drug development programmes from preclinical to candidate selection and Phase 1 and 2 clinical development.

Your role is key to driving scientific and business strategy, leading a matrix project team, identifying data driven decision points and managing resources to deliver high quality scientific data, implement efficient project plans, and deliver novel drugs. As a project leader, you will be accountable for project quality, cost and time and you will contribute to the portfolio strategy in Neuroscience.

Neuroscience at Astrazeneca

With a rich heritage and a research and development focus on specific aspects of neurodegenerative diseases, analgesia and psychiatry, AstraZeneca continues to push the boundaries of science in neuroscience in collaboration with other innovative partners across industry and academia.

Join a small, agile business unit, which runs semi autonomously within AstraZeneca and has a biotech culture, which is continuing to evolve and grow with new products and talent joining year on year!

Main Duties and Responsibilities

As a member of the BioPharmaceuticals R&D unit, you'll be directly responsible for leading the strategy and delivery of multiple projects in our portfolio. Role responsibilities include:

• Creation of scientific strategy and tactics, alignment of these with a project plan and budget, efficient execution of the plan and delivery of key project milestones

• Identify, select and manage internal functional experts, collaborators and vendors as a matrix project team. Create and maintain networks with leading academic groups, high quality CROs, and technical experts.

• Ensure expert input into the project strategy and execution

• Bring a fundamental understanding of the biology of neurodegenerative disorders, or chronic pain to support the development of programmes in the portfolio.

• Accountable for the leadership of one or more programmes in early Clinical Development

• Contributing to the strategy and culture of the Neuroscience therapy area.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent) and MD or PhD in life science, preferably in neuroscience

• Drug discovery experience, in the Neuroscience field, in an industrial setting (either biotech or big pharma) for large or small molecules or other modalities

• Ability to work independently

• Strong computer literacy/proficiency across multiple programs to facilitate daily work load

• Strong communication skills

• Excellent attention to detail

• Leadership, organizational, project management skills

• Ability to interact with and influence partners at all levels including senior managers both internal and external

• Basic understanding of study/project finance and accounts

• Ability to network and use multiple resources to identify opportunities for growth

• Experience of clinical drug project development and the transition from the preclinical phase

• Experience in early or late stage Neuroscience R&D and especially chronic pain and neurodegeneration

Desirable

• Experience in development of treatments for addiction

Why AstraZeneca

At AstraZeneca, we 're dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration. Always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development.

So, what’s next?

Complete your application before the below closing date.

This role is open from 10th November 2022, and we welcome your application no later than 25th November 2022.

We will review and interview candidates as they apply.

Where can I find out more?

Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/

Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/

Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/astrazeneca_careers/?hl=en

AZ Cambridge https://www.astrazeneca.com/our-company/our-locations/cambridge.html

Neuroscience at AZ: https://www.astrazeneca.com/our-therapy-areas/neuroscience.html

Date Posted

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.