If you have the passion and the drive to accelerate growth and make people’s lives better – then AstraZeneca is the place for you. In Operations we have a big ambition – to deliver more medicines to patients, quicker and more affordably. Backed by the investment, leadership and a clear plan to get there, we bring personal dedication and out of the box thinking.
AstraZeneca turns molecules to medicines, bringing our Research & Development pipeline to life through a rigorous process of development, manufacturing, testing and delivery. Operations is accelerating, fast. We are on track for Our Bold Ambition 2030, delivering 20+ new medicines driving us forward across different modalities including biologics, cell therapy, ADCs and small molecules.
Position Summary
The Executive Director, General Manager Site Head RMC (Rockville Manufacturing Center) reports into the Head of Cell Therapy Manufacturing within the Cell Therapy Development and Operations (CTDO) organization. The position location is Rockville, Maryland.
Leadership of all aspects of autologous Cell Therapy manufacturing for a complex stand-alone manufacturing site, to meet customer requirements and to enable realization of the company’s operations strategy to scale Cell Therapy manufacturing. Leads/shapes projects globally with companywide impact (5-year horizon).
Responsibilities
Lead the RMC Cell Therapy Site for AstraZeneca, the newest cell therapy site.
Ensures processes at the site are carried out in accordance with AstraZeneca’s corporate values, Good Manufacturing Practices, Public Health Codes and applicable standards and laws.
Achieve critical milestones include PPQ readiness, pre-license inspection, BLA filing support, commercial launch and scaling.
AI adoption for productivity gains and increase efficiency in scale. We will advance process robotics and advanced automation as part of cell therapy.
Acts as role model for the AZ leadership capabilities and sets the standard by which senior employees on the site motivate and empower staff to deliver outstanding performance and customer service.
Ensures that the site’s products are made available to external customers whilst adhering to regulations, quality standards, budget and policies.
Sets annual objectives in line with CTDO scorecards, measures the achievement of those individual targets and takes remedial actions where required.
Champions the design of appropriate methods for improving productivity, quality and SHE standards and oversees the implementation of these across the site.
Inspires staff to coach and develop talent to ensure a healthy talent pipeline and succession for senior positions.
Creates an environment in which the working teams can make independent decisions to mitigate any risks to the patient and/or business reputation.
Builds and maintains good reputation and community relations with external stakeholders.
Approximate number of people managed – 8-9 direct reports across site supply chain, manufacturing, lean digital, human resources and dotted line MSAT, finance, IT and Quality. In total (all levels) - 500-1000, Grandfather (manager of a manager).
The position will focus on the global supply of autologous Cell Therapies. Global experience is preferable.
Preferred Requirements
University graduate, with significant experience (10+ years) in the field of Manufacturing, & Supply Chain; People Management and people development.
Proven track record in managing and leading a large, high-performing team with preferred expertise in autologous CAR-T cell therapies or biologics in a clinical and commercial manufacturing environment.
Ability to engage people in change and working with uncertainty and ambiguity.
Skills and Competencies
Site experience: 10+ years in manufacturing, engineering, facilities, and/or quality site leadership.
Team leadership: Leads a multidisciplinary site leadership team and builds high-performing talent benches.
Regulatory, quality, and SHE governance: Demonstrated oversight ensuring compliance with all applicable standards.
Strategic thinking, influence, and stakeholder management: Translates enterprise strategy into site priorities; influences global and functional stakeholders with credibility and gravitas. Expert problem solver.
Risk-based decision making: Makes timely, compliant, risk-informed decisions at the site level.
Digital and AI stewardship: Adopts and embeds digital and AI-enabled tools to improve site performance. Demonstration of leading operations with Automation, Digital and AI
Operational execution leadership: Drives OpEx and Lean execution with clear milestones, resource plans, and performance metrics.
When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we fuel bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That’s why we work five days per week as a site leader/general manager. But that doesn’t mean we’re not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.
The annual base salary for this position ranges from $300,000 to $315,000. However, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related experience. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and we reserve the right to modify base salary (and any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
Date Posted
22-Apr-2026Closing Date
05-May-2026Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.