Director, Product lead – Center of Excellence (CoE)

Typical Accountabilities

As a Product Leader be responsible for

• Development & Build Center of Excellence 
  • Lead projects from concept generation through internal governance process to the final execution that generate scientific insights
  • Ensure that the research projects are in full alignment within company disease strategy and portfolio/asset development needs
  • Accountable for successful Center of Excellence strategy and the delivery of project according to quality, time, budgets and resources
• Building and effectively leading successful cross-functional teams
  • Establishing and driving an effective CNPT to drive timely and effective decision making and delivery of agreed objectives, including the use of agile sub-teams
  • Ensure, together with PML and functional leaders, that the project team is appropriately resourced and ensure resources from functions are managed effectively in the project team
• Ensure, together with PML, that there are robust processes, plans and data to enable Governance Bodies to make investment decisions and prioritise projects across the portfolio.
• Ensure proper task allocation/ delegation; spot potential risks with appropriate assessment; drive problem-solving and escalation processing when it is necessary
• Prepare high‑quality investment packs and evidence from external collaborations to support decisions.

Culture

• Create a vibrant, entrepreneurial and externally facing team focused on the delivery of successful project that supports the overall disease/portfolio strategy through effective collaboration with leading academic institutions and consortia 
• Build a culture which values focused innovation, is open to challenge and new ideas and allows all team members to deliver to their maximum through an open and inclusive culture that integrates external science rapidly and rigorously

Talent Management & Development

• Provide high quality feedback and coaching to CNPT members and mentor key talent in the organization
• Collaborate with other Project Leaders, CNPL taskforce, and deployed functions to build outstanding project leadership within AZ RD China and develop core capabilities in translational medicine and external partnership management

External

• Champion projects, the broader AZ portfolio and disease area science to build external profile and support portfolio development
• Design and drive team discussions with external researchers at necessary milestones

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Essential

• Deep knowledge and broad experience (likely ≥5 years) of drug discovery and early or late phase clinical development including significant experience of cross-functional project team working. 
• Experience interfacing with academic investigators and converting external science into development options.
• Demonstrated leadership and decision making in a cross-functional project team environment and at governance interactions
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and with an entrepreneurial mindset.  Partners effectively with colleagues from wider business to ensure alignment
• Good awareness of commercial, regulatory, and broader strategic aspects of drug development and understanding of relevance of competitor environment
• Ability to convince and manage negotiations across a complex group
• Strong vision and excellent problem-solving skills, passionate, and have the drive to succeed.
• Demonstrated experience of building external networks and fostering effective relationships with external experts
• Building  a high performing team with culture & shared vision which values innovation and is open to challenge.
• Has built high levels of credibility with key senior stakeholders, both internal and external network of experts. 
• Has strong communication skills with the ability to describe complex issues concisely & effectively and secure stakeholder buy in to cross functional investment proposals
• Proven ability to learn new information rapidly and effectively
• Is resilient: able driving team performance and delivering plans whilst under pressure.  Able to distil out key issues in complex problems and proactive in identifying potential solutions
• Is decisive: Highly effective in dealing with ambiguity and reducing complexity

Desirable

• Track record establishing academic collaborations, IIT programs, or translational platforms (biomarkers, patient selection)
• Experience preparing investment/governance materials and defending strategies at CN governance and eGPT/GPT 
• Proven leadership skills in delivering projects
• Proven enterprise leadership skills in working to maximise value of whole portfolio
• Extensive clinical development experiences coupled with marketing or commercial experience and/or degrees.
• Sub-team leader and worked in China project team (Early or Late stage) as a core team member
• Drug development and regulatory/filing experience

Date Posted

05-12月-2025

Closing Date

30-5月-2026

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.