Executive Director, Oncology Global Programme Management (TCEs)

Executive Director, Oncology Global Programme Management (TCEs) Preferred Location: Boston, USA Boston is the preferred location for this role, however, applicants from Gaithersburg, Cambridge, Barcelona and Mississauga will also be considered.About GPPM OncologyGPPM Oncology is embarking on an exciting transformation journey to become trusted partners in portfolio and project strategy and execution. The continued success of the Oncology pipeline requires a team of highly skilled leaders to guide the creation of comprehensive programme strategies that integrate clinical, scientific, and commercial insights to shape portfolio decisions and delivery.About The RoleWe are looking for strategic thinkers and scientific experts with an accomplished background in programme delivery to join GPPM Oncology. You will become a trusted partner and voice in key decision-making forums such as Tumour Councils, TALT, ESPC and LSPC. You will expertly influence across the full breadth of the organisation, connecting Discovery, Early, Late and Commercial to navigate the governance pathway. You will have end-to-end accountability for modality portfolio insights, strategy, and execution, influencing decision making across the value chain to enable optimal portfolio delivery in both quality and speed. Through the Oncology Global Project Managers (GPMs), you will ensure Global Project Teams (GPTs) deliver at pace and with confidence by translating complexity into clarity, anticipating issues and influencing outcomes using insights. Operating as a player–coach within a High Performing Team (HPT) environment, you will balance enterprise leadership, direct delivery, and enabling others to succeed.This is a critical and exciting opportunity to use your scientific knowledge and strategic expertise to lead and influence decisions that will have a direct impact on patients’ lives. Working at the highest levels, you will ensure the decisions we make best position AstraZeneca for maximum return on investment and positive patient outcomes.To Be Successful, You Will NeedDeep scientific acumen in TCEs to guide and navigate strategy, prioritisation and portfolio decisionsClear and organised thinking with the ability to simplify and prioritise complex problemsThe application of strong, data-driven analysis to translate strategy into actionThe ability to establish and maintain credibility with senior audiencesIn depth experience of developing and driving high performing teamsThe ability to build credibility through expertise, relationships, and trust to persuade and align others without formal authorityKey AccountabilitiesEnterprise Leadership & Strategic InfluenceHold end-to-end accountability for modality portfolio insights, shaping TA strategy and influencing critical investment and prioritisation decisions across the full drug development lifecycle.Collaborate with and influence SVP/VPs, Functional Heads, and Tumour Council leadership to navigate governance pathways and ensure coherent end-to-end modality strategy and pipeline delivery.Provide clear, evidence-based and actionable guidance on portfolio optimisation and investment decisions, ensuring the modality remains ahead of emerging scientific, clinical, and commercial opportunities.Connect the organisation from Discovery to Commercial and maintain active presence in key decision-making forums across Early, Late, and Commercial to ensure alignment and informed enterprise-level decisionsModality Leadership & ExecutionDeliver the AZ scorecard for your modalityProvide clear, evidence based and actionable guidance on portfolio optimisation and investment decisions. Serve as the accountable leader for the modality across platforms, ensuring strategic priorities translate into effective execution.Be deployed into Tumour Councils while maintaining a direct connection with the modality leadership, enabling integration between scientific modality expertise and therapeutic area strategy.Ensure modality knowledge and insights are embedded within teams, enabling dissemination of expertise and strengthening cross-organisational capability.Translate modality strategy into clear, actionable plans through GPMs, optimising resource utilisation, capacity planning, and operational delivery.Player–Coach Leadership within HPT ModelOperate as both leader and active contributor, modelling the behaviours of a self-leading, empowered High Performing Team environment.Agile leader with the ability to accelerate opportunities and unblock issuesBalance strategic leadership of the modality with delivery and execution of key priorities whilst enabling and coaching teams to succeedNavigate complexity and simplify decision landscapes, bringing clarity, focus, and momentum to portfolio execution.Connected Operating Rhythm & DeliveryEstablish insight-driven operating rhythms across Global Project Teams and Tumour Councils that enable clarity, pace, and confident delivery.Empower and enable GPMs to deliver the pipelineEnsure clear and compelling communication of modality strategy, progress, and priorities to diverse audiences, maintaining transparency and organisational alignment.Enterprise Mindset & Future CapabilityBring an enterprise leadership mindset helping to link people, process and portfolio insights from across the value chainLeverage advanced analytics and AI-enabled insights to strengthen portfolio understanding, decision making, and strategic foresight.Contribute to a future-ready organisation, strengthening capabilities, fostering innovation, and developing the next generation of leaders.Support talent development pathways, including progression of GPMs to GPL and other critical roles across the enterpriseRegarded as expert coach, go to mentor, and is trusted by senior leaders including Franchise Heads, Clinical Heads etc.Essential Skills & ExperienceDeep Scientific Expertise: Advanced degree (e.g. MSc or PhD in life sciences or MD) + 10 years of experience in life sciencesOncology expertise: Deep understanding of specific modality with proven experience in the pharmaceutical industry or consulting contributing to strategic planning and portfolio decisionsExecutive presence and leadership: Ability to interact and communicate effectively with senior executive teams, with demonstrated ability to lead and influence experienced professionals in a fast-paced, highly matrixed work environmentStrategic thinking: Ability to think critically, creatively and to anticipate and solve problems, with excellent analysis and fact-based decision-making capabilitiesAgility and impact orientation: Highly intellectually capable with agility and adaptability, motivated by working in a fast-paced field with clear societal impactPreferred Skills/ExperienceStrategic planning expertise: Experience in strategic planning processes and tools, with ability to translate business needs into coordinated plans and develop creative solutions to complex problemsFinancial acumen: Strong financial background and understanding of forecasts, budgets, and financial tools to support strategic decision-makingGlobal perspective: Ability to work across global teams and priorities delivering operational effectiveness and prioritization in a fast-growing, highly matrixed organizationWhy AstraZeneca?At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.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.So, what’s next?Are you ready to bring new ideas and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant! We have one seat available, and we hope it’s yours.Where can I find out more? Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook Follow AstraZeneca on InstagramIf this sounds like you... Apply today!Pay TransparencyThe annual base pay for this position ranges from $251,610 to $377,441. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.Date Posted07-May-2026Closing Date21-May-2026Our 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.