Clinical Program Director, Early CVRM Clinical Development

AstraZeneca; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 234,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca is seeking a Senior Clinical Program Director in the Cambridge, MA or Gaithersburg, MD area. You will lead the Clinical Program Team, drive clinical strategy, and ensure on-time, on-budget program delivery with high quality.

This role requires 10+ years in global pharma drug development and strong leadership, communication, and collaboration across matrixed teams. The position emphasizes strategic oversight, feasibility input, and governance to optimize clinical program delivery and

Qualifications

• Master/PhD in natural sciences or medicine (advanced degree preferred).
• 10+ years global pharmaceutical drug development and leadership experience.
• Proven ability to guide delivery through collaboration within globally matrixed teams.
• Strong communication skills and strategic influence across functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Clinical Program Team (CPT) and oversee clinical program strategy.
• Translate science into robust clinical development plans and studies.
• Manage program budgeting, resource planning and baseline timelines.
• Ensure governance, risk management and cross-functional reviews.
• Mentor teams and drive strategic cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Problem solving

Global program leadership

Education

Master/PhD in natural sciences or medicine

Tools

Project management

Job description

Summary:

The Senior Clinical Program Director is accountable for the overall delivery of the clinical program to time, cost and quality and is the leader of the Clinical Program Team (CPT). You will be required to work closely with the core CPT members to ensure that the clinical strategy and deliverables for the clinical program are delivered to the Global Project Team (GPT).

The role provides strategic oversight and feasibility input into the design of the clinical program and plays a key role in the work required to determine possible program design options. The focus is across the program level, collaborating with CPT members, GPT colleagues and all other functions that are key to the development of a compound. The SrCPD is expected to be a highly experienced drug developer and have organizational understanding and influence. You will drive and guide the CPT and each of its functions and enhance teamwork, productivity and depth of quality. This person will be responsible for driving the clinical strategy, implementation and forward planning. The SrCPD, as the CPT Leader, will drive/guide the GPT in aspects related to the clinical development plan and influence from pre-Clinical to Commercial with other core CPT members. The role will establish and monitor best practices and be responsible for quality goal setting for the CPT deliverables.

Location: Cambridge, MA or Gaithersburg, MD

Accountabilities:

• Accountable for leading the CPT and its oversight of clinical program strategy activities and deliveries within assigned programs and for ensuring the implementation of innovative approaches to delivery of the clinical program


• Accountable for leading the translation of science into crisp clinical development plans


• Accountable for providing efficient and effective program management of all CPT deliverables, including project strategy, design and delivery of CPT driven program/studies to time, on budget and with quality


• Accountable for providing strategic and operational input to cross-functional program development plans and be accountable for cross-functional leadership roles as delegated from the GPT


• Accountable for ensuring governance preparation and ensuring operational review. Accountable for coordinating and actively presenting the clinical components at the reviews


• Accountable for ensuring initial feasibility assessment and early country and site engagement to optimize clinical program delivery


• Accountable for developing and managing contingency risk plans within each assigned clinical program, including management of program issue escalation and resolution


• Accountable for accurate budget forecasting, and maintenance, and monitoring to baseline, clinical program resourcing, scenario planning, plus overall timelines for trials within assigned program, including setup and maintenance within Company systems


• Ensure consistent quality practices in alignment with highest ethical standards, GCP, ICH Guidelines, compliance with internal SOPs, local regulations and laws, etc


• Contribute to driving best practices and support process-related improvements and workstreams, and ensuring timely compliance with Company governance controls


• Provide mentorship and support people development as required

Experience and Education:

• Master/PhD of Science degree in natural sciences or medicine (advanced degree is preferred)


• At least 10 years of global pharmaceutical drug development and leadership experience demonstrated in a variety of roles and at least 5 years clinical development experience


• Proven ability to apply strategic thinking and develop clinical programs to meet business goals and to assess business risk versus potential value


• Proven ability to lead teams in dynamic environments with a high demand on pro-active scenario planning


• Verified ability in problem solving and issues management that are solution focused


• Proven experience of leading delivery through collaboration within globally matrixed teams, including internal organization and external providers and drive delivery to timelines, cost and quality


• Significant experience of program management and use of project management techniques in complex projects, including resourcing, financial management and business case development


• Strong strategic influencing skills; ability to influence broadly within and outside the organization


• Excellent communication skills; proven teamwork and ability to work collaboratively across a wide range of disciplines and a track record of planning and delivery success

Desirable:

• Program management qualification/certification. Experience in variety of organizations and countries


• At least 10 years clinical development experience


• Experience across the product life cycle and ideally across multiple therapeutic areas

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.

The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $233,586 to $350,379. 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.

Why AstraZeneca:

Here you will contribute to a bold mission to transform outcomes for people by advancing earlier detection and smarter, faster trials. You will operate at the intersection of innovative science and technology, backed by significant investment and an empowered, collaborative culture that brings clinicians, scientists, and data experts together to accelerate breakthroughs. We value kindness alongside ambition, giving you the trust, tools, and cross-functional partnerships to lead with confidence and shape studies that matter—so your decisions today translate into meaningful patient impact tomorrow.

Date Posted

29-Sep-2026

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.