Business Analyst - Biologics Discovery Platform

Business Analyst – Biologics Discovery Platform

Location: Gaithersburg, MD, USA

Introduction to role:

At AstraZeneca, we're not just about creating life-changing medicines; we're about creating a culture of innovation and collaboration. We have taken on an ambitious goal of revolutionizing antibody discovery at AstraZeneca by significantly reducing the time it takes to discover a clinical candidate using world-class technology and advanced data & AI capabilities. To support this initiative, we are building Biologics Discovery Platform within R&D IT. We're looking for a Business Analyst who can operate strategically at an enterprise level on large scale business change with high levels of complexity and risk. If you're someone who can set clear direction for others, demonstrating high levels of inclusion and cultural sensitivity, then this is the role for you!

Accountabilities:

As a Business Analyst for the Biologics Discovery Platform within R&D IT, you will be expected to perform the role independently, taking initiative and ownership across all stages of business analysis. You will partner with biologics discovery scientists, the Product Owners, and the Product Lead to deliver high-quality business cases and business process designs, ensuring that proposed solutions meet AstraZeneca’s established quality, compliance standards, and business solution needs. You will be responsible for determining and implementing process and requirements management methodology practices within your function, ensuring full adherence to methodology, quality, and compliance standards. 

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Minimum 6+ years’ experience working with complex integrated systems, preferably in molecular biology and antibody discovery in a pharmaceutical research organization
• Demonstrable experience of successfully deploying a variety of business analysis tools/techniques to enable business change
• Practical usage of Agile Methodology in building and managing relationships with collaborators such as the Product Owners/Managers, Business Relationship Manager, Enterprise Architects, Developers, Client Services, User Experience Leads (UX) and other partners.
• Strong engagement, communication, and collaborator management skills
• Experience in gathering business requirements by conducting interviews, organizing workshops, and analyzing existing documentation
• Experience working in a complex environment with multiple customers with diverse requirements and assisting in prioritization for product success
• Experience of virtual collaboration to lead, shape and develop innovative solutions
• Experience of mentoring, coaching or developing others
• Experience of working with and managing third party suppliers/vendors
• Experience of managing high levels of risk by making complex judgements, developing innovative solutions, and applying a comprehensive multi-functional and industry understanding.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Degree in life sciences, preferably in molecular biology and formal certification in business analysis practice
• Lean SIGMA training
• Experience of working in a global organization with complex/geographical context
• Pharmaceutical business awareness/business domain knowledge
• User Centered Design (User Experience, User Interface Design and Business Process Design) Cross industry business awareness/business domain knowledge.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash 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, a minimum of three days per week from the office. 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.

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca, we're not just about creating life-changing medicines; we're about changing lives through data, analytics, AI, machine learning and more. We're at a crucial stage in our journey to becoming a digital and data-led enterprise. This is your chance to be part of a team that's backed with the investment to innovate, disrupt an industry and change lives. We're a network of entrepreneurial self-starters who contribute to something far bigger. There's a diversity of expertise in our Technology group that's unique to AstraZeneca. It allows us to dive deep into exploring new groundbreaking technology. Here you can combine technology skills with a scientific appr