Senior Director, Regulatory Affairs Strategy - Cell Therapy

AstraZeneca plc; Barcelona; Hybrid; EUR 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Three days in office per week

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc is seeking a Global Regulatory Leader for cell therapy programs, responsible for end-to-end strategy from discovery through licensure. You will guide multi-indication programs, collaborate with Global Product Teams, and lead a Regulatory Strategy Team to deliver robust, timely submissions across markets.

You will shape agency engagement, optimize labeling, and ensure compliance for marketed products while driving cross-functional governance and risk management.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in a science related field.
• 7+ years of experience in the regulatory space.
• Demonstrated success in cell therapy regulatory strategy.
• Deep understanding of global regulatory science and integration with program strategy.
• Long standing experience in drug/biologic development processes for high profile programs.
• Experience with regulatory affairs in oncology, autoimmune, rare diseases, neurology.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end global regulatory strategy for a high-complexity cell therapy program, from current stage through BLA submission.
• Serve as global regulatory lead for complex, multi-indication programs and regional leadership where relevant.
• Lead strategy for agency meetings and expedited pathways; prepare for outcomes and de-risk milestones.
• Direct global dossier planning and core labeling strategy; negotiate labeling readiness.
• Represent Regulatory Affairs on Global Product Teams and align regulatory goals with clinical, CMC, safety and commercial plans.
• Mentor and lead a Global Regulatory Strategy Team and partner with country/regional teams.

Skills

Regulatory leadership

Cell therapy

Global strategy

Stakeholder mgmt

Cross-functional

Health authority

Education

Bachelor's degree in science

Job description

Available locations:

Barcelona, Spain

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Are you ready to set the global regulatory vision for pioneering cell therapies and turn breakthrough science into real options for patients? This role leads high-impact programs across cancer, immune-mediated and rare diseases, guiding them from current stage through licensure with clear, competitive pathways to approval and labeling. You will shape strategy for complex, visible programs, bringing clarity, pace and rigor that accelerate access for patients.

You will report to the Executive Director, Cell Therapy Regulatory Affairs and act as a franchise global regulatory lead for programs with multiple indications, with the opportunity to serve in a dual capacity as a regional lead based on your expertise. Working across discovery through commercialization, you will partner closely with Global Product Teams to align science, evidence and policy, while coaching a Global Regulatory Strategy Team to deliver at the highest level.

Could you be the strategic voice that anticipates risk, seizes expedited opportunities and influences the dialogue with global health authorities?

Global Regulatory Leadership

Own the end-to-end global regulatory strategy for a high-complexity cell therapy program, from current stage through BLA submission, ensuring an efficient route to approval with competitive labeling aligned to product attributes and patient, market and business needs. -

Franchise and Regional Responsibility:

Serve as global regulatory lead for complex, multi-indication programs and, where relevant, take on regional leadership to integrate region-specific strategy and execution.

Health Authority Strategy and Engagement:

Lead strategy for agency meetings, information requests and expedited pathway designations; drive robust preparation that secures clear outcomes and de-risks pivotal milestones.

Dossier and Labeling Excellence:

Direct the planning and construction of the global dossier and core prescribing information; own target product labeling strategy and negotiation readiness.

Cross-Functional Product Leadership:

Represent Regulatory Affairs on Global Product Teams, shaping development and commercialization plans, contributing to governance presentations and aligning regulatory objectives with clinical, CMC, safety and commercial strategies.

Evidence and Decision-Making:

Continuously assess emerging data against program aspirations; present risks, trade-offs and mitigations to senior leadership to enable decisive, data-driven choices.

Delivery and Milestone Management:

Oversee all regulatory deliverables and milestones, including probability-of-success assessments and contingency planning to protect timelines and value.

Team Leadership and Talent Development:

Lead a Global Regulatory Strategy Team for specific indications/programs; coach, mentor and, as applicable, line-manage team members to build capability and performance.

External Influence and Partnerships:

Build strong relationships with regulatory stakeholders; partner with country and regional regulatory teams to shape developing views and guidance.

Innovation and Tools:

Lead and promote the development of novel regulatory tools and technology, and contribute to non-project initiatives that advance how we work and the impact we deliver.

Marketed Product Stewardship:

Maintain accountability for product maintenance and compliance activities associated with marketed brands, ensuring continued benefit to patients and compliance with evolving requirements.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• A bachelors degree in a science related field
• 7+ years of experience in the regulatory space
• Demonstrated success in cell therapy regulatory strategy.
• Deep understanding of global regulatory science and integration with program strategy.
• Long standing experience of overall drug/biologic development processes and strategies for high profile, complex or novel development programs.
• Experience with product development in the following therapeutic areas: oncology, autoimmune, rare diseases, neurology.
• Broad background of experience working in pharmaceutical business and prior experience in several areas within regulatory affairs.
• Proven experience leading regulatory and cross-functional teams, and stakeholder management.
• Ability to think strategically and critically and evaluate risks to regulatory activities.
• Previous experience in leading Health Authority interactions in major markets.
• Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment in a hands-on fashion
• Flexible and proactive, with the ability to manage multiple projects and successfully adapt to changing business needs and priorities
• Successful leadership of at least one global regulatory approval including leading response team and labeling negotiations

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Experience with FDA advisory committee and/or EMA oral explanation. - Experience working on due diligence activities and in a business alliance environment.
• Experience in leading and growing people through coaching or mentorship.
• Contribution to non-project business initiatives (e.g. at a portfolio or cross functional level).

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. Why AstraZeneca: Here, your regulatory leadership turns cutting-edge cell therapy science into treatments that change lives—fast.

You will work in a collaborative, empowered environment that blends scientific ambition with practical execution, where unexpected teams come together to challenge assumptions, share knowledge across borders and adopt new technology to shorten development cycles. We value kindness alongside ambition, give you the autonomy to lead and the support to grow, and connect your individual impact directly to patients who are waiting.

Date Posted

04-Nov-2026

Closing Date

26-Nov-2026

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.