Global Medical Strategy & Operations Lead, Medical Excellence & Ethics, BioPharmaceuticals Medical

AstraZeneca · Gaithersburg · $159,181–$238,771 (stated in the posting)

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The Strategy & Operations Lead is a strategic partner to the Global Head of Medical Excellence & Ethics (ME&E) and the ME&E Leadership Team, enabling the organization to translate enterprise and Global Medical priorities into an integrated ME&E strategy, portfolio and operating plan. The role brings structure, pace and delivery discipline across a complex global environment, ensuring priorities are clear, decisions are well prepared, resources are aligned, dependencies and risks are actively managed, and measurable outcomes are delivered. 

The role drives leadership team effectiveness, business planning, portfolio governance, performance and benefits realization, and continuous improvement of the ME&E operating model. It uses data, digital technologies, automation and AI-enabled approaches to improve efficiency, transparency, scalability and organizational impact. 

Accountabilities:

Strategic operations, governance and delivery 

• Partner with the Global Head of Medical Excellence & Ethics and the ME&E leadership team to translate enterprise and Global Medical priorities into an integrated ME&E strategy, portfolio and operating plan, ensuring alignment across capabilities, workstreams and stakeholders. 

• Maintain an integrated portfolio view of ME&E priorities, milestones, interdependencies, resource requirements, risks and value delivery, enabling effective prioritization and timely leadership intervention. 

• Drive disciplined execution across leadership forums, strategic initiatives and priority workstreams, ensuring decisions are prepared, actions are tracked, dependencies are managed and progress is visible. 

• Identify risks, unblock issues and escalate with clear options and recommendations to support timely leadership decisions and delivery of results. 

Business planning, performance and resource management 

• Lead the integrated ME&E business-planning cycle, including portfolio prioritization, financial submissions, resource planning, budget tracking, forecasting, purchase order management and performance reporting, in partnership with ME&E leaders, Finance and relevant cross-functional partners. 

• Prepare concise, data-led portfolio updates, scorecards and decision materials that communicate progress, outcomes, benefits, risks, dependencies, trade-offs and required leadership actions. 

Process improvement and digital enablement 

• Support implementation and continuous evolution of the ME&E operating model, including clarification of accountabilities, decision rights, governance, interfaces and ways of working across global, regional, local and enterprise partners. 

• Identify and implement opportunities to simplify, standardize and improve business processes, ways of working and team interfaces to increase quality, pace, transparency and scalability. 

• Use digital technologies, data, automation and AI-enabled approaches where appropriate to improve planning, tracking, reporting, knowledge management and stakeholder engagement. 

• Lead the operational change and adoption required to embed improved operating models, tools and processes, ensuring solutions are practical, sustainable and integrated into day-to-day ways of working. 

Leadership effectiveness and communications 

• Shape focused leadership agendas, governance forums, business reviews and communication cadences so senior leaders spend time on the right priorities and decisions. 

• Develop executive-ready narratives, briefings and organizational communications that connect Global Medical Excellence & Ethics strategy with practical execution across global, regional and local stakeholders. 

• Coordinate leadership team effectiveness, talent reviews, and culture activities in partnership with ME&E leaders and HR, ensuring agreed actions are integrated into the overall operating plan and followed through. 

AZ framework and regulatory expectations 

• Conduct all activities in line with AstraZeneca values, the Code of Conduct and relevant policies, standards and training requirements; reinforce compliance expectations with teams and third parties as appropriate. 

• Where applicable, understand and support legal, regulatory, SHE, financial and quality-system accountabilities relevant to the role and area of work. 

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

Essential 

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent relevant experience in science, business, operations, strategy, project delivery or a related discipline. 

• 5+ Strong experience in business operations, strategy execution, project delivery, business planning or a comparable strategic operations role within a global, matrix environment. 

• Track record of bringing rigor, discipline and structure to complex priorities through effective governance, planning, prioritization, action tracking and performance management. 

• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex strategic, operational and financial information into integrated portfolio views, clear trade-offs and actionable recommendations for senior leaders. 

• Strong action and results orientation, with the ability to maintain pace, resolve issues, manage risk and deliver outcomes with limited supervision. 

• Experience improving business processes and ways of working to increase quality, transparency, efficiency and scalability. 

• Good understanding of digital tools, data-enabled working, automation or AI-enabled approaches, and how these can improve business operations and team effectiveness. 

• Strong financial and business acumen, including budget planning, forecasting, financial oversight and performance tracking. 

Desirable 

• Experience in Global, Regional or Local Medical Affairs, ideally supporting senior Medical leadership teams. 

• Experience supporting senior leadership teams, enterprise governance forums, strategic consulting, chief-of-staff or equivalent operations leadership roles. 

• Experience leading operational transformation, continuous improvement, process simplification or organizational change. 

• Familiarity with enterprise planning, collaboration, financial management, automation, AI or data visualization tools, such as Anaplan, Teams, SharePoint, Power BI or Power Automate. 

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $159,180.80 - 238,771.20 USD. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

Date Posted

Closing Date

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.

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