Senior Global Clinical Operations Program Director

AstraZeneca; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca seeks a Senior Global Program Director to lead clinical operations within a collaborative culture prioritizing innovation and teamwork. Key responsibilities include overseeing complex clinical programs and ensuring strategic alignment across projects while mentoring team members. Join a leading employer committed to diversity and employee development, with flexible work arrangements and recognition from top employer awards.

Qualifications

• Extensive global drug development leadership or equivalent leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of the clinical drug development process.
• Significant program management experience.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for oversight of all clinical program activities.
• Ensure regulatory compliance for clinical operations deliverables.
• Lead and manage clinical operational teams effectively.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical Operations Knowledge

Project Management

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Science/Master of Science degree

Equivalent work experience

Job description

At AstraZeneca, we pride ourselves on crafting a collaborative culture that champions knowledge-sharing, ambitious thinking, and innovation – ultimately providing employees with the opportunity to work across teams, functions, and even the globe.

Recognizing the importance of individualized flexibility, our ways of working allow employees to balance personal and work commitments while ensuring we continue to create a strong culture of collaboration and teamwork by engaging face-to-face in our offices 3 days a week. Our head office and BlueSky Hub in downtown Toronto are purposely designed with collaboration in mind, providing space where teams can come together to strategize, brainstorm, and connect on key projects.

Our dedication to sustainability is also central to our culture and part of what makes AstraZeneca a great place to work. We know the health of people, the planet, and our business are interconnected, which is why we’re taking ambitious action to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time, from climate change to access to healthcare and disease prevention.

The Sr GPD is responsible for program leadership and management of all clinical operations deliverables to scope, quality, budget, time, resources, and risk, ensuring new innovative design and delivery models are used appropriately. The role involves integrating strategy, design, feasibility, line management, and operational planning to produce business-focused clinical drug development programs that align with AstraZeneca's priorities and strategy.

Typical Accountabilities

• Accountable for oversight of all clinical program activities, ensuring relevant issues are brought up to GPT (or equivalent team) and for providing clinical operations expertise/input into the program (e.g., feasibility, country selection, operational input into design, risk, and external partner management) using new innovative design and delivery models to support governance interactions and project start-up.
• Partner effectively with the Global Clinical Head (GCH) and the Biometrics Team Leader to provide leadership, clear direction, and shared goals to the CPT members/clinical delivery teams.
• As a member of the CPT, responsible for efficient and effective program management of all GPT (or equivalent team) clinical development deliverables, including strategy, design, and delivery of clinical programs/studies to scope, quality, budget, time; managing resources and risks.
• Establish team structure and ways of working to ensure CPT is a high-performing team.
• The Sr GPD is accountable for line management of Clinical operational leaders at the Global Study level (Global Study Associate Directors, GSAD, or Global Study Directors, GSD) and program level (Global Program Director GPD) aligned with GPT objectives.
• Accountable for the clinical operations component deliverables of regulatory submissions, providing support for regulatory interactions and reports, and clinical contributions to inspection readiness.
• Act as the initial and program-level AstraZeneca operational collaborator with externally managed/outsourced partners (e.g., CRO/ARO) and collaboration/alliance partners for program planning and delivery.
• Ensure timely compliance with company-wide governance controls (e.g., financial oversight, planning and control, continuous assurance, Clinical Trial Disclosure). Manage clinical plans (cost, FTEs, and timelines) in business reporting systems such as PLANIT.
• AstraZeneca decision maker and critical issue point with external partners and vendors for clinical delivery.
• Lead and manage non-drug project work as assigned, e.g., cross-functional improvement initiatives.
• Contribute as Subject Matter Experts to functional and cross-functional initiatives.
• Mentor, coach, and support people development within Clinical Operations and other functions as appropriate.
• Participate actively in networking within and outside the therapeutic area, sharing best practices and lessons learned.
• Be early adopters for new ways of working and act as ambassadors for change, driving the implementation and utilization of new initiatives.

Education, Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

Essential

• Bachelor of Science/Master of Science degree in a related subject area, or equivalent work experience.
• Extensive global drug development leadership or equivalent leadership experience demonstrated in various roles.
• Extensive experience across the product lifecycle with experience in Cell Therapy development and ideally across multiple therapeutic areas.
• Strong clinical operations knowledge with a proven track record of delivery.
• Expert knowledge of the clinical and pharmaceutical drug development process.
• Proven ability to develop programs to meet business goals and assess business risk versus potential value; understanding of global business requirements.
• Significant program management experience using project management techniques, including resourcing, financial management, and business case development.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

Great people want to work with us! Find out why:

• GTAA Top Employer Award for 10 years
• Top 100 Employers Award
• Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture
• Learn more about working with us in Canada
• View our YouTube channel

Interested in working at AZ? Apply today!

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion, providing a workplace free from discrimination. We accommodate persons with disabilities upon request, which can be arranged by emailing [e-mail].

Date Posted: 05-Jun-2025

Closing Date: 12-Jun-2025

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity, building an inclusive team that values all backgrounds and perspectives. We comply with all applicable laws regarding non-discrimination and work authorization.