Director, Process Safety – SHE

AstraZeneca GmbH; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 175,572 - 213,538; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid vacation and holidays

401(k) retirement contribution

Job summary

AstraZeneca GmbH is looking for a Director of Process Safety in Gaithersburg, MD to lead the global Process Safety strategy and ensure a safe working environment. You will influence senior executives and implement innovative safety practices across all AstraZeneca operations.

The ideal candidate will have extensive leadership experience in Process Safety, with a strong focus on risk analysis and collaboration. Your role will be critical in driving a culture committed to safety and sustainability.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of senior SHE leadership experience in high-hazard environments.
• Deep expertise in Process Safety legislation and risk analysis.
• Demonstrated capability to drive enterprise-level transformation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the global strategy for Process Safety across AstraZeneca operations.
• Engage executive stakeholders and drive safety culture improvements.
• Set and enforce global Process Safety standards and risk controls.

Skills

Leadership

Process Safety expertise

Risk analysis techniques

Influencing senior executives

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or related field

Advanced Degree: Masters + STEM

Job description

Director, Process Safety

Location: Gaithersburg, MD or Willmington, DE

Function: Global SHE (Safety, Health & Environment)

Why This Role Matters

As one of the architects of AstraZeneca’s global Process Safety strategy, you will reshape our global safety culture, influence senior executives, and accelerate our transition to pioneering digital, human‑centric, and design‑for‑safety practices. Your work will not only protect people, it will directly enable AstraZeneca’s ability to deliver medicines safely, sustainably, and at scale.

About the Role

The Global Director of Process Safety will provide visionary leadership and set the global strategy for Process Safety. This highly visible role will lead the transformation and continuous improvement programs that protect colleagues and drive innovation across the company. This role will engage with all levels of the organization influencing executive stakeholders and operational teams alike. The role will work with functional and regional leadership teams to deliver a proactive approach focusing on eliminating risk at the source, implementing robust controls and promoting a strong process safety culture, ensuring leaders understand the difference between occupational safety and process safety and remain focused on low‑frequency, high‑consequence risks. Through collaboration with a Global team of subject matter experts in safety, health and environment, leveraging premier technology, and data driven insights the role will provide continuous improvement for a safer, more sustainable workplace.

Scope, Governance & Decision Rights

Global Span & Authority

• Enterprise‑wide remit across all AstraZeneca Operations, R&D sites, engineering projects, and commercial environments.
• Authority to set global Process Safety and SIF standards, expectations, and minimum technical requirements.
• Strategic decision rights on global policies, frameworks, and risk controls.

Reporting Line

• Reports to the Senior Director, Global SHE (Safety, Health & Environment).

Team Leadership

• Oversight of cross‑functional working groups, networks, and communities of practice.

Budget Accountability

• Decision‑making input on capital projects and safety‑critical expenditures.

What You Can Expect at AstraZeneca

• A purposeful culture where safety is a strategic priority, not a compliance activity
• Opportunities to influence the organization at the highest levels of the
• Support to innovate, reimagine, and design future‑focused risk‑reduction systems
• Global career growth and exposure across Operations, Science, and Engineering
• A collaborative environment where bold thinking is encouraged

Key Accountabilities

• Influence and lead enterprise‑wide risk reduction by partnering across Operations, Commercial, and R&D to eliminate hazards and apply the hierarchy of controls to high‑risk activities.
• Drive global process safety excellence by setting standards, embedding best practices, and continuously improving frameworks for high‑hazard work and management of change (MOC).
• Champion innovation and digital advancement by deploying data‑driven insights and emerging technologies to strengthen process safety and decision‑making.
• Build and leverage influential networks internally and externally to accelerate adoption of technical solutions and elevate industry‑leading practices.
• Strengthen safety culture and performance by challenging normalization of deviation, promoting psychological safety, and enabling transparent, blameless reporting and learning.
• Deliver assurance, capability, and continuous improvement through KPIs, incident investigation leadership, audit support, competency development, and integration of safety‑by‑design and emergency preparedness.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or related field, or equivalent senior‑level Process Safety experience.
• 8+ years of senior SHE leadership experience with proven global scope and achievement in high‑hazard environments.
• Deep expertise in Process Safety and major hazards legislation, with advanced understanding of PHA, LOPA, Bowtie, and hazardous area classification to lead global technical governance.
• Practical knowledge of hazardous area classification and requirements for electrical and mechanical equipment in hazardous areas.
• 8+ years leading or overseeing high‑risk or high‑hazard work programs across multi‑site or global operations.
• Competent in risk analysis techniques: PHA, What‑if, Bow Tie analysis, LOPA etc.
• Demonstrated capability to influence senior executives and drive enterprise‑level transformation.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to inspire, motivate, and unify global teams.
• Proven experience leading global programs, budgets, and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel internationally.

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced Degree: Masters + STEM
• Advanced professional certifications (e.g., CSP, CCPS, PE, or equivalent global credentials).
• Executive‑level communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders on complex risk topics.
• Experience engaging with regulatory authorities across multiple international jurisdictions.
• Familiarity with emerging process safety technologies (AI/ML analytics, sensing technologies, digital twins) and Human & Organizational Performance research.
• Demonstrated experience leading global transformation or safety‑culture change programs.
• Experience integrating Process Safety into Engineering and major capital project design.
• Proven ability to build global capability frameworks, training programs, and technical competency development.
• Success navigating and influencing in highly matrixed, multicultural global environments.

Pay Transparency / On‑Site Office Policy

Annual base pay ranges from $175,572–$213,538 USD. Additional compensation may include short‑term incentive bonus, equity‑based long‑term incentive program, retirement contribution, and commission for applicable roles. Benefits include a qualified retirement program (401(k)), paid vacation and holidays, paid leaves, and health benefits (medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage) in accordance with the applicable plans.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.