Director, Operations Management

This role sits in the Chief Operating Office (COO) Enabling Function, in Oncology R&D (ORD) and will manage a team of Operations Managers who are allocated to ORD functions.  The role ensures the provision of fit for purpose services within agreed parameters to the ORD functions. 

The Director, Operations Management is responsible for the performance development of the team and works closely with the key stakeholders that the Operations Managers support to set objectives and monitor progress.  The Director Operations will identify skills gaps and learning opportunities for the team, and actively implement training and upskilling activities to address these, ensuring that the team members have the right skills, exposure and experience to move to their next level, in accordance with the 3Es framework. 

The Director, Operations Management also supports, as required and prioritized, any of the ORD functions or X-ORD initiatives that require Project Management leadership in support of key transformation programs as they relate to ORD

functions. 

The Director, Operations Mgt will identify and execute opportunities for efficiencies and continuous improvements to the ORD COO operating model across the Operations team, in collaboration with their PMO, Scientific Communications & Engagement and Portfolio & Capacity Management COO partners. 

Tier 1 and 2 examples of the business-as-usual (BAU) functional activities supported by this team are: 

• Scorecard development and monitoring 

• Risk, CO2 and budgetary tracking, monitoring and reporting 

• Financial business planning cycle activities 

• Senior leader meeting management, forward agenda planning, action tracking and resolution follow-up 

• Project and information management, deep dives, collation and presentation of data 

Typical Accountabilities 

• Key contact for stakeholders across ORD R&D functions and functional BPOs in delivery of robust and efficient operational delivery of BAU activities.  This will involve regular (weekly) meetings and touchpoints to check the service level provisions meet requirements. 

• Develops and maintains the Operations element of the COO operating model to ensure consistency in service provision across ORD, seeking improvements and efficiencies at all times. 

• Line manager to the Operations Managers ensuring that individuals are effectively allocated to the ORD functions and resources are allocated appropriately.  Ensuring that all team members are supported in their activities and receiving training, exposure and experience in order to progress in their personal and professional development. 

• Accountable for performance management, goal setting, coaching and development of the Operations Managers. 

• Obtains input to the objectives, quarterly and end of year reviews of the Operations Managers from functional BPOs. 

• Assist the functional BPOs in Project Management of functional transformation and change initiatives. Managing the business case development, project risks and issues and escalating /highlighting to the BPO and function lead as appropriate.  

• Collaborate with business and change partners on managing the impact of programme deliverables to AZ staff to ensure that they can be delivered and adopted. 

• Working with TAq partners, manage advertising and recruitment campaigns through to interview and selection.  Build and execute a robust onboarding plan and ensure the effective integration of staff into the team, COO, ORD and AZ. 

• The jobholder requires a skillset that includes a high level of cultural sensitivity, diplomacy, interactive communication, negotiation and effective collaboration.  This necessitates considerable tact, discretion and persuasion to obtain desired outcomes, while maintaining ongoing professional relationships. 

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

• Min BSc in scientific subject & 5+ years experience in Pharma industry is required

• Excellent organisational and project management skills with attention to detail, including experience in leading functional transformation and change initiatives 

• Broad, in depth experience with a number of operational or similar business processes aligned to Business Planning and Operations activities 

• Strategic and anticipatory attitude; thinking with ability to translate strategy to operational execution 

• Leadership skills, including the ability to solve problems that involve many decision makers, build relationships and develop multiple options/recommendations 

• Experience of working with senior-level business partners in collaboration, with t