Director of Business Planning and Operations

Are you a strategically skilled Project Manager with a global approach? Are you ready to lead and innovate in the world of business planning and operations? If you can envision applying your expertise in a truly meaningful setting, then this may be the role for you!

We have an opening for a Director, Business Planning and Operations (BPO) in the Discovery Sciences organization. The position is placed at our vibrant R&D site in Gothenburg, Sweden. You will report into the Head of Business Planning and Operations, Discovery Sciences and be part of the Discovery Sciences (DS) organization, a function that applies deep scientific and technical expertise to support the delivery of targets and molecules to the early AstraZeneca pipeline.

What you’ll do?
As a Director of Business Planning and Operations, you will be at the forefront of workflow optimization and portfolio management. You will implement innovative processes to visualize, monitor, report, and forecast, drive improvement initiatives and lead change programs. In partnership with the Head of BPO and Discovery Sciences’ Leadership Team, you will play a pivotal role in the business reporting cycle, including long-term planning (LTP) and mid-term planning (MTP). Your expertise will increase transparency for key stakeholders and advance analytically tracking activities.

Collaboration is key, and you will partner with colleagues to ensure the transparent preparation, tracking, and reporting of strategic investment cases. Working closely with Discovery Sciences Therapeutic Area Project Representatives and Project Leads, you will enhance operational excellence by refining our ways of working and scientific workflows. As a proactive leader, you will independently lead projects, driving and championing new strategies and processes to advance operational activities within the function.

Typical accountabilities may also include: 

• Providing operational support to Head of BPO, including data preparation and reporting and overseeing complex activities and events
• Supporting the business cycle including budget, reporting, and risk; business strategy and scorecard tracking and reporting
• Providing direction, guidance, and development coaching to junior members of the BPO team
• Deploying excellent analytical skills in complex strategic issues/proposed projects, quantifying impact on business, and providing recommendations towards innovative solutions
• Ensure efficient and effective management of project information, quality of data, and integrity of information supplied
• Effectively communicate key findings to a range of stakeholders both within and beyond Discovery Sciences

You will also actively network with colleagues within Discovery Sciences, Senior Management within Discovery Sciences and peers in the AstraZeneca BPO community network. 

Essential requirements 
•    Bachelors of Science in a scientific or analytical field 
•    Considerable experience (5 years) in business strategy, process optimization and/or portfolio management roles within a pharmaceutical or clinical organisation
•    Demonstratable evidence of process improvement and change management experience resulting in positive change
•    Excellent communicator across all levels of the business
•    Pragmatic, operationally focused and keen to assist others in finding practical solutions
•    Confident user of relevant IT systems and software to access, analyse and present data/information in the most effective ways
•    Solid analytical skills with the ability to manipulate complex data
•    Strong networking skills and an ability to achieve through engaging the cooperation of others

Desirable requirements
•    Advanced degree in a scientific or analytical field
•    Consultancy experience and/or qualification in process improvement, project management and/or change management
•    Experience in delivering large, engaging events
•    Expert reputation within the business and/or industry
•    Familiarity with AZ systems and processes

Why AstraZeneca?
Our Gothenburg site is one of AstraZeneca's strategic science centers. We thrive in a multinational environment working cross-functionally across the globe with AstraZeneca colleagues as well as academic and industry partners. Our way of life is to develop a working environment that furthers collaboration, openness, and innovation. Therefore, we have built space for meetings, and socializing, where spontaneous meetings can give birth to new innovations.

Work policy
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.

What’s next?
If you are ready to make a difference - apply today, and we'll make it happen together! We welcome your application until 10th March 2025.

Date Posted

20-feb.-2025

Closing Date

10-mars-2025

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.