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Senior Director, Head of Early Global Program Team Leads, Translational Science

AstraZeneca
New Haven, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 27 May 2025

About the role

The Head of the Early Global Program Team Leaders (eGPTLs) oversees a team of eGPTLs to advance a portfolio of early-stage drug development assets, collaborating with cross-functional program teams, and program managers, to devise strategic plans from preclinical through IND/CTA filing, while ensuring organizational alignment at governance meetings. Primary responsibilities are to advise and coach eGPTL reports in the planning and execution of their respective programs . Key responsibility will be serving as an eGPTL leading cross-functional teams across various subject areas and representing the program to stakeholders. Additionally, the successful candidate will be responsible as the single point of accountability for the program in all collaborator/governance interactions, leading the team in drafting the development plans through to marketing authorization and all operational aspects of leading an eGPT including budget and resource management, risk mitigation, team empowerment, and adherence to regulatory processes.

You will be responsible for:

  • Managing a team of eGPTLs, providing guidance and mentorship to team members fostering their professional growth and development
  • Serve as a core member of the Translational Science (TS) leadership team contributing to the priorities, objectives, culture and vision of the TS organization
  • Ensure appropriate innovation, rigor, quality and excellence are incorporated when developing the team’s strategy
  • Serve as the primary team member and eGPT contact for program-related activities. Provide strategic direction of the eGPT team from preclinical through IND/CTA filing
  • In close partnership with an assigned program manager (PM), develop and implement strategic plans for early-stage drug development programs, ensuring alignment with overall organizational goals
  • Lead a cross-functional early global program team (eGPT), ensuring collaboration and effective communication among team members from different subject areas, including, but not limited to research, translational, CMC, clinical development, regulatory affairs, and marketing
  • Ensure effective cross-functional collaboration with Translational Medicine partners to strategize the planning of high priority clinical studies within the program
  • Ensure that all project deliverables achieve defined project scope, objectives, budget, and timelines with full functional support. Ensure plans are replete with contingencies and mitigation of all “known unknowns” and plans are aligned to deliver in accordance with the target product profile (TPP)
  • Represent the program to internal and external customers, including regulatory bodies, partners, and key opinion leaders. Work closely with senior leaders to align the programs with the company's mission with timely communications and presentations
  • Identify potential risks to program objectives and timelines and develop and implement mitigation strategies
  • Provide oversight of the program budget, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively to meet program goals
  • Empower the eGPT through clear roles/responsibilities, prioritizing individual growth, and holding the team members accountable for bold goals
  • Ensure the eGPT adheres to high-quality regulatory filing documents and be engaged through this process
  • Ensure monitoring of relevant external developments in the field including scientific progress of competition and ensure adjustments to the TPP and eGPT strategy

You will need to have:

  • BS/MS/PhD degree in a relevant life science with 10 years+ of pharmaceutical/biotech experience including demonstrated expertise in Translational Sciences. PhD preferred
  • This is an office-based role with an expectation of a minimum of 4 days per week in office
  • Extensive experience in drug development, with a strong preference for early phase drug discovery and development
  • Must have demonstrated management experience including oversight of senior colleagues; ability to influence others without having direct authority
  • Proven leadership skills with the ability to lead cross-functional teams in a global environment and track record of IND filling
  • Excellent critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence team members at all levels
  • Experience in budget management and resource allocation
  • Broad background and knowledge of pathophysiology of rare diseases

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we ignite 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, on average,

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Company

AstraZeneca

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