Director, Technology Alliance Management (Alliance Lead)

AstraZeneca; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension contributions

Share Save Plans

Performance recognition scheme

Flexible time off

Job summary

AstraZeneca Cambridge is seeking an experienced Alliance Lead to manage clinical technology vendor partnerships, shaping strategy, governance and performance across global teams. You will bridge technology providers with AstraZeneca business units to deliver clinical and R&D value.

In this role you will own governance forums, drive improvement, and mentor junior alliance colleagues, with three days on-site per week in Cambridge and collaboration across geographies and functions.

Qualifications

• A degree in life sciences, technology, or business or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience as an Alliance Lead in pharma/clinical research.
• Experience building vendor strategies and governance from scratch.
• Strong ability to translate business needs into vendor requirements.

Responsibilities

• Own technology vendor relationships across strategy, governance, performance and risk.
• Define vendor strategy aligned with clinical and R&D goals.
• Design governance structures, escalation paths and metrics.
• Bridge between technology providers and AstraZeneca's business.
• Translate requirements into vendor expectations and roadmap opportunities.
• Monitor performance and drive continuous improvement across vendors.
• Lead governance forums and executive-level discussions.
• Manage risks proactively and support team development.

Skills

Alliance management

Vendor governance

Stakeholder management

Matrix leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Risk management

Performance metrics

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in life sciences/technology/business

Tools

CTMS

eTMF

IRT/eCOA

Medical imaging

Job description

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science‑led, patient‑focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we are pioneering new frontiers by identifying and treating patients earlier, working towards the aim of eliminating cancer as a cause of death.

Cambridge, UK (3 days on site per week)

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science‑led, patient‑focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we are pioneering new frontiers by identifying and treating patients earlier, working towards the aim of eliminating cancer as a cause of death.

Come and join our AZ team where you will play a pivotal role in this exciting period of development!!

This role sits at that intersection. You'll own AstraZeneca's clinical technology vendor partnerships — the strategy, the governance, and the relationships. But equally, you'll be the bridge between our technology providers and our business — translating clinical needs into vendor solutions, and vendor capabilities into business value. Making sure both sides speak the same language and pull in the same direction.

Key Responsibilities

• Owning key technology vendor relationships — IRT, eCOA, medical imaging, and similar platforms — across strategy, governance, performance, and risk.
• Defining vendor strategy — the right partners, the right sourcing models, aligned to AstraZeneca's clinical and R&D goals.
• Designing and implementing governance frameworks that work in practice — structures, escalation pathways, and metrics that keep alliances accountable.
• Acting as the strategic bridge between technology providers and AstraZeneca's business — ensuring vendors understand our priorities and that internal teams fully harness what the technology delivers.
• Translating business requirements into clear vendor expectations — and bringing vendor innovation and roadmaps back into the business as tangible opportunities.
• Monitoring performance, driving continuous improvement, and integrating lessons learned across the portfolio.
• Leading governance forums where issues get resolved and decisions get made.
• Managing risks proactively — being the steady hand when things get complicated.
• Coaching and supporting junior members of the alliance management team.

Requirements

• Degree in life sciences, technology, business — or equivalent experience.
• Strong demonstrable experience with clinical trial technologies — IRT, eCOA, medical imaging, CTMS and eTMF.
• Recent demonstrable experience as an Alliance Lead in a large matrix pharmaceutical organisation building, implementing and managing vendor strategies and governance frameworks from scratch
• Experience defining and monitoring vendor performance indicators, service levels, quality measures, financial performance, with evidence of driving measurable improvement.
• Hands on experience as the owner of the governance framework managing performance reviews, escalations and relationship health, not merely contract administration
• Strong experience from within the pharmaceutical industry or clinical research organization
• Line management experience with demonstrated experience directly managing, coaching, and developing team members, including setting objectives, providing regular feedback, supporting performance and career development.
• Demonstrable experience leading strategic external partners across multiple functions, geographies and seniority levels
• Hands on experience leading business reviews, governance forums, performance reviews and executive-level discussions
• Evidence of taking ownership, managing ambiguity, maintaining momentum through complex situations, and delivering agreed outcomes across multiple vendors and stakeholders.
• Demonstrable experience translating performance data, KPIs, trends and operational signals into actionable insights and recommendations
• A natural ability to bridge technology and business — experience with software implementation team and a Chief Operating Officer.
• Strong influencing and relationship management skills, especially without direct authority
• Detailed knowledge of clinical and pharmaceutical drug development process at various phases of development
• Comfortable across global teams, functions, and time zones
• Familiar with ICH-GCP and the regulatory context shaping clinical trial technology.

In Office Requirement

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.

Competitive salary and benefits package on offer!

The successful candidate will have access to a flexible employee benefits fund, including holiday purchase and flexible time off, pension contributions, Share Save Plans, A performance recognition scheme and a competitive, generous remuneration package.

Date Posted 07-Oct-2026

Closing Date 13-Oct-2026

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.