DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS PORTFOLIO & ALLIANCES DATA OFFICE/DATA SCIENCE SKILLS & PARTNERSHIP

In the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DS&AI) Business Planning & Operations, we support DS&AI’s mission to use Data and AI to turn science into medicines more quickly, more cost-effectively and with higher success rate.
This is where you could come in.
Working in Strategic Planning and Operations at AstraZeneca is fast-paced, dynamic and challenging.
We are looking for people who want to seize the opportunity to take an exciting step in their personal development journey and play a fundamental part of delivering a world-class Data Science & AI organisation.
AstraZeneca’s R&D Data Office (DO) and Data Science Skills and Partnerships (DSS&P) are industry-leading enablers of data and AI strategy.
The DO provides data services, technology, and data products, supported by data and AI policy and governance, to unlock the value of data that drive innovative science.
DSS&P is our hub resource for learning and collaboration in Data Science, AI and related fields.
it delivers pipeline impact by developing specialist skills and expertise, driving academic and cross industry partnerships, and facilitating engagement through solution focused networks.
The Director of Operations, Portfolio & Alliances will be accountable for the portfolio management and Chief of Staff activities for these two departments.
DO and DSS&AP.
The role will report to the Business Planning and Operations Head and will be integral part of the DO and DSS&P Leadership team; this role is responsible for running key planning and prioritisation processes in line with AZ requirements and timelines.
The role is responsible for maintaining oversight of the portfolio and providing visibility to leadership team to aid decision making.
Typical Accountabilities Business planning and departmental Leadership Team operational leadership • The role holder will facilitate business planning activities for the department.
Specifically, this will include leading and facilitating development of the departmental annual objectives, ensuring that measurable metrics and success criteria are defined, plus subsequent definition, supervision and reporting of progress towards goals.
• Management of an overall capability Roadmap and execution plan for the departments.
• Develop and deliver proactive group functional routines including, long and short-term financial planning and follow-up, staff ‘Rewarding Performance’, and quarterly reporting cycles.
• Set a high-level Quality Management System in place for the departments.
Portfolio Management, Governance, and prioritisation for the departments • Responsible for setting, leading and facilitating prioritisation for the departments for allocation of budget and resources towards business priorities, in line with various planning cycles.
• Compile a consolidated plan from a departmental perspective, involving key aspects of internal change programs where the function has key contributions and dependencies, as well as “business as usual” (BAU) service operation and maintenance management initiatives, to ensure that the capability achieves ‘SMART’ goals.
• Accountable for maintaining oversight of all departmental programmes and BAU activities.
This includes oversight of resource and budget allocation to programmes, as well as delivery times and high-level progress.
• Responsible for finance and resource management activities for the department, providing oversight to departments’ leadership as well as feeding into overall DS&AI and R&D processes.
• Accountable for overall service governance and reporting across portfolio of departmental services including identification of overall service knowledge management and process optimisation opportunities.
• Project manage the development and evolution of the overall departments’ operating model, for strong cross-team collaboration.
Partner Engagement and Communication • Own the departmental partner engagement plan and activities towards tangible outcomes.
• Departmental communication.
plan and drive delivery, in collaboration with key partners and individual contribution.
Workforce Leadership for a ‘Great Place to Work’ • Motivate, manage and provide direction to relevant departmental teams.
• Develop and deliver processes for the departments.
sense of purpose and belonging, Retention, Talent development and Succession planning.
Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience Essential.
Bachelor's Degree level in a relevant subject area or equivalent years of experience Good communication skills and ability to build positive relationships Ability to lead through others in a changing environment Strong collaborative, partnering, and interpersonal skills, ability to influence across different levels and sectors of the organisation Have strength and independence of viewpoint and be willing to challenge others in senior roles when appropriate Ability to simplify and improve business processes to increase value Proven track record of delivering strategic programs and projects Capable of managing the responsibilities for a diverse range of activities and projects acting as the key sponsor for projects and programmes, Desirable Master's Degree in relevant quantitative subject area Pharmaceutical industry experience Experience of achieving tangible and acknowledged value in a similar position and scale of challenge and opportunity Experience from hands-on Agile, preferably in a business context Strong Transformation Management track record 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.