Associate Director - Tchnology Alliance Management

Hybrid work

The Alliance Management (AM) group sits within Biopharmaceutical Clinical Operations and is accountable for setting the sourcing strategy across R&D and managing adherence to it. They ensure our suppliers deliver to the needs of the organisations; and develop strong, beneficial partnerships with key suppliers.

The role of the AD – Alliance Management is to support the Alliance Leads in managing one or more supplier(s) contracted to deliver services within the scope of Alliance Management support. They will be responsible for supporting governance activities, support to ensure model(s) are meeting the operational needs of the customers, ensuring alliance effectiveness, communications support, providing training on AM supported delivery models / suppliers and be a primary point of contact for study teams for general questions relating to ways of working. This role may also be assigned as the Alliance Lead for selected small and/or low complexity supplier(s).

Typical Accountabilities:

Supplier / Model Governance

Supports assigned Alliance Leads in management of model /service line and  supplier framework and governanceEnsures understanding of roles and responsibilities across delivery teams for assigned delivery model(s)/service line(s)Ensures implementation of new or changes to processes for assigned suppliersWorks with Alliance Leads, Process Integration Lead, internal subject matter experts and counterparts in supplier organisations to ensure the maintenance of interface processes / ways of working (e.g. Alliance Handbook)Lead or supports operational governance of assigned supplier(s) / model(s)/service line(s). Working with CRO/supplier counterpart - generate agendas, co-ordinate presenters and pre-reads, minutes and action tracking, etcProvides input into the enhancement and development of excellence of governance meetingsServes as point of contact for issue escalation. Facilitates resolution of non-complex operational issueSupports / ensures ongoing assessment of Lessons Learned and seeks new opportunities to drive efficiencies and continuous improvement within supplier, across functions and across delivery modelsActs as an advocate for Partnering, ensuring behaviours and expected ways of working are universally understood, providing feedback and support to teams as requiredMay act as audit co-ordinator for AZ led supplier auditsMay act as Alliance Lead for small and/or low complexity models/service lines/ suppliers

Supplier / Model Quality and Performance

Supports the definition of, and monitors quality and performance of service deliverables in alignment with MSAsProduces performance reports for stakeholder / governance reviewCompiles and maintains model and /or supplier-level risk and issue logs for governance interactionsSupports creation and execution of delivery model surveys / health checks

Strategy Development / Enablement

Supports implementation of sourcing strategies across the R&D organisations e.g. model documentation / training materials

Supplier selection and qualification

Supports / co-ordinate activities relating to supplier selection as required by the assigned Alliance LeadSupports / co-ordinate activities relating to supplier qualification as required by the assigned Alliance Lead (where Alliance Lead assigned to lead these activities)

Study team support / training:-

Supports study teams with ways of working within the model/service line/supplier, developing and providing training as requiredSupports sharing of successes relating to supplier performance or delivery e.g. postcards, monthly update submissionsMay act as facilitator for relevant study kick off meetingsMay act as facilitator/mediator for study level issue management between CRO/supplier and study teamsMay facilitate Lessons Learned sessions with study teams, ensuring knowledge sharing across Alliance Management on key outcomes or themes

Stakeholder Engagement

Acts as point of contact with business and functional process owners for external delivery models/service lines and /or specific suppliers to agree application of internal processes, systems and tools where required Manages study team relationships

Portfolio / Capacity Management

Where relevant, reviews ongoing book of work for supplier to ensure supplier can support the portfolio

Alliance Management Development

May contribute to the delivery of strategic initiatives within and beyond AMServes as a delegate for the AM Group Lead for specific tasks or activities, as necessary 

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Essential:

University degree in related discipline, or equivalentStrong experience from within the pharmaceutical industry or clinical research organizationGood knowledge of clinical and pharmaceutical drug development process at various phases of developmentExperience of working successfully with external suppliersStrong collaboration skills to work across global and functional boundariesStrong leadership and influencing skills, especially without authority and with resilienceStrong communication skills, written and verbalStrong confliction resolution and negotiation skillsAble to see the full picture and understand impact of actionsAbility to network and collaborate with a wide range of internal and external stakeholdersStrong project management skillsFamiliar with ICH GCP and related guidelines and practices  

Desirable:

Knowledge of alliance governance frameworks and processes (including performance metrics)Ability to work flexibly to solve problems that involve many decision makers, and develop multiple options/recommendationsExperience of partner selection and qualification  Innovative thinker with affinity toward experimentation and appropriate risk takingTechnical understanding of service deliverables and subject matter expertise (e.g. study management, data management, analysis and reporting)Knowledge of existing AstraZeneca external suppliers & models  Knowledge of AstraZeneca policies, procedures and guidelines 

Date Posted

26-cze-2025

Closing Date

10-lip-2025

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.