Director of Alliance Management, Oncology R&D

AstraZeneca plc; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 194,000 - 291,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc in Cambridge, MA, seeks a Director of Alliance Management to lead and optimize priority Oncology R&D alliances. You will drive strategic discussions, governance structures, and timely issue resolution with cross-functional teams across the organization.

The role requires extensive knowledge of drug development, strong negotiation and leadership skills, and the ability to manage global partnerships. Expect travel up to 10% and a competitive compensation package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in life sciences; MBA or CA-AM certification is a plus.
• Extensive pharmaceutical/biotech industry experience; multi-disciplinary background is a plus.
• Ability to translate complex contract terms into strategic/operational elements.

Responsibilities

• Manages ongoing relationships with alliance partners and oversees governance, communications, and issue resolution.
• Tracks contract obligations and ensures milestones are met across AstraZeneca and partners.
• Reviews and approves financial payments; coordinates with Finance.
• Develops alliance management tools, processes, and training for the organization.
• Engages stakeholders to operationalize new deals and optimize value of collaborations.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in life sciences

MBA/CA-AM certification

Job description

Director of Alliance Management, Oncology R&D

Do you have expertise in, and passion for, building strong alliances to further pharmaceutical research? Would you like to apply your expertise to impact the Oncology R&D Alliance Management team in a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life changing medicines? Then AstraZeneca might be the one for you.

At AstraZeneca, we work together across global boundaries to make an impact and find answers to challenges. We are committed to advancing the science of oncology to deliver life-changing medicines to patients most in need. We win through the science, it’s at the heart of our every success.

The Role:

The Director of Alliance Management will provide leadership and active management of priority and complex Oncology R&D alliances. Will contribute to the development of AZ strategy in the area of Alliances. Will take accountability to lead in-bound and out-bound asset transitions working closely with cross-functional Global Project Teams. Responsibilities include leading the strategic discussions and decision-making processes to effectively manage external collaborations and partnerships.

Accountabilities

• Manages the ongoing business relationship with various alliance partners, including large complex priority partnerships:
  • Plans and manages the operational aspects of the alliance, including joint governance committee, ensuring alliance effectiveness, appropriate communications, coordination of activities, handling partner concerns, solving business problems, and negotiating with the partner on ongoing agreements
  • Provides a single point-of-contact for partners and a pathway for business/contractual issue resolution or other business-related matters
  • Proactively tracks, monitors and communicates contract achievements, obligations and any financial payments to project team leaders and management. Works with project team leaders to ensure that both AstraZeneca and its alliance partners, are on track to meet contractual obligations and landmarks
  • Reviews and approves material financial payments and routes payment requests through Finance
  • Works with Legal and other internal partners, as well as alliance partners, to review and execute contract renewals and amendments
  • Reviews existing collaboration agreements and develops plans to clarify/amend these where necessary in order to maximize their overall value to AstraZeneca
  • Works with project teams and alliance partners to evaluate and resolve any business/contractual issues in an equitable and timely manner, helping to ensure the overall value and success of each project and that the spirit of each collaboration agreement is kept intact
  • Routinely assess partnership health, performance risks, and potential value proposition according to AstraZeneca business strategy; provide visibility and recommendations to Senior Management and follow-up with action plans
• Helps drive the AM strategy for AstraZeneca and assists in the development of alliance management capabilities across the organization:
  • Understands AstraZeneca's strategies, objectives and goals related to collaborations and associated capabilities
  • Stays abreast of internal and external developments, trends and dynamics; identifies new, enhanced or revised capabilities as appropriate
  • Leads the development of internal tools, systems, processes, and standard methodologies for the smooth operation of the alliance management function.
  • On-boarding and training new Alliance Managers.
  • Enters all key contract information into departmental systems and databases for proactive and efficient tracking of AstraZeneca and collaborator obligations
• Contributes to developing business relationships with existing and potential alliance partners:
  • Actively engages BD and R&D stakeholders to influence and operationalize new deals balancing risks and opportunities, establish effective governance structures, strategies and processes to maximize the potential value and operational success of pending collaborations
  • In collaboration with BD Transaction Directors, develops the Transition Services Agreements (TSA) and associated schedules for in-bound and out-bound licensing deals. Takes accountability to lead asset transitions working closely with cross-functional Global Project Teams.
  • Sets specific and measurable performance objectives, standards, and accountabilities for each assigned collaboration. Ensuring the vision, goals and objectives of the alliance are aligned and communicated between the collaborators
  • Develops strong working relationships with key involved parties for each project, internally and externally. Strives to proactively anticipate and address business-related needs of the parties to optimize joint project team success
  • Works with project team leaders and PM preparing for collaboration launch; initial joint project team meetings
  • Educates team members on contract terms, obligations, achievements and roles and responsibilities

Essential Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in life sciences field; MBA, other graduate-level degree or CA-AM certification is a plus.
• 10+ years' relevant pharmaceutical/biotech industry experience with at least 5 or more years' work experience in legal, finance, contract development & administration, business development, licensing, strategic planning, research, development, commercial, or manufacturing; multi-disciplinary experience is a plus.
• Must demonstrate deep knowledge of the drug development process relevant to pharmaceutical/biotech organizations.
• Demonstrable abilities to translate complex contract terms and conditions into strategic and operational elements for both internal and external parties.
• Ability to develop transition plans for in-bound and out-bound licensing deals and lead the smooth and efficient transition of R&D assets/programs working closely with the GPTs.
• Ability to manage and/or resolve issues, risks, and potential conflicts both internally and externally in a timely manner through great listening skills and the capability to ask the right questions.
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding professional/work-related objectives, goals and targets.
• Strong interpersonal skills. Capacity to work cross-functionally and to influence people without direct authority.
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time, including internationally if required.

Desired:

• MBA or other graduate-level degree is a plus
• CA-AM, CSAP certification

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.

AstraZeneca offers an environment where diverse minds unite with a shared passion for discovery. Our scientific community seamlessly blends academia with industry expertise, fostering collaboration that accelerates research in challenging cancer treatments. With female leaders in 45% of senior roles and 475 pre-clinical collaborations globally, we are committed to making a difference. Join us as we strive to eliminate cancer as a cause of death through bold decisions driven by patient outcomes.

The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $194,126 - $291,189 USD. 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

Date Posted

02-Oct-2026

Closing Date

18-Oct-2026

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.