Director of Project Management Office, Cell Therapy Technical Operations

At AstraZeneca's, we follow the science to explore and innovate. We are working towards treating, preventing,modifying, and even curing some of the world's most sophisticated diseases. Here we have the potential to grow our pipeline and positivelyimpactthe lives of billions of patients around the world. We are committed to making a difference and have built our business around our passion for science. Now we are fusing data and technology with the latest scientific innovations to achieve the next wave of breakthroughs.

Position Summary

TheDirector ofProject Management Office, Cell TherapyTechnicalOperations is a highly strategic leadership role responsible forestablishing, digitizing, and leading the Operations branch of the centralized Cell TherapyTechnicalOperations (CTTO) PMO. This leader will set up the PMO's ways of working across CTTO with the ultimate vision of building a PM-enabled, self-sufficient organization.

Reporting into the CMC Portfolio Strategy Cell Therapy organization, this role will oversee high-value Technical and Operational Projects while simultaneouslyestablishingthe standard project management framework,governance,tools, and best practices to beutilizedacross all tiers of theCTTOprojects portfolio.

Byleveragingartificial intelligence and digital automation aligned with AstraZeneca's 2030 ambition, this role will empowertechnicalleaders to manage projects independently,utilizingdedicated PMO resources primarily for complex initiation and planning phases.

This position is based in Gaithersburg, MD.

Responsibilities

• Strategic ProjectExecution: Directly manage or oversee the execution ofcomplex,highly cross-functional above-site Projects ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery.

• Portfolio Visibility & Tracking: Develop, implement, andmaintaina centralized, real-time portfolio dashboard capturing all active projects across the CTTO organization, ensuring full transparency of organizational demand, resources, and strategic alignment.

• PMO Vision & Self-Sufficiency: Design and embed standard project management ways of working across CTTO to foster a PM-enabled, self-sufficient organization. Empower functional Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and leaders to act asindependent Project Leads, requiring dedicated PMO support for critical lifecycle steps like project initiation and complex planning.

• Digital Transformation & AI Integration: Develop,maintain, and continuously improve the PMO byleveragingcutting-edgedigital solutions and artificial intelligence in alignment with AstraZeneca's 2030 ambition. Partner directly with IT to design, test, and implement custom AI tools and automation strategies that streamline project management workflows.

• Standardization & Best Practices: Act as the authoritative voice for project managementmethodologywithin CTTO. Design, deploy, and govern standardized, highly automated tools (e.g., Project Charters, RAID logs, unified RAG dashboards) to ensure uniform, efficient ways of working across all project tiers.

• Governance: Partner with the CTTO Leadership Team acting as the Project Review Committee (PRC). Facilitate governance meetings to drivedata-backed, Go/No-Go decisions, manage capacity forecasting, prioritize resource allocation, and rapidly resolve escalated project risks.

• Cross-Functional Community of Practice:Foster a collaborative relationship with the internal CMC PM team to build a unified Community of Practice. Lead outward-facing networking by engaging with enterprise PM communities outside of CTDO, influencing broader AstraZeneca standards, and integrating industry-leading digital practices back into the organization.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Team Leadership: Provides direct line management to a targeted team of Cell Therapy Project Managers and external contractors deployed for peak portfolio demand or specialized planning phases.

• Talent Cultivation: Cultivates talent through coaching, professional development, and succession planning. Ensures the team builds the necessary matrix leadership skills, digital fluency, and strategic execution capabilitiesrequiredto drive complex businessobjectives.

• Escalation Management: Leads formalissueescalation and resolution in partnership with the matrix team, sponsors, and the Project Review Committee (PRC).

Essential Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor's degree ina LifeSciences, Engineering, or relevant technical fieldrequired. Master's degree or MBA is highly preferred.

• Experience: 10+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical, biotech, or Cell Therapy industry, with at least 8+ years specifically in project, program, or portfolio management.

• Leadership: Proven experience managing direct reports and leading PMOs or shared-service project teams within a complex, highly matrixed environment.

• Technical Acumen: Deep operational understanding of cell therapy supply chain, vein-to-veinlogistics, network capacity, and cGMP/regulatory requirements.

• Methodologies & Tools: Advancedproficiencyin portfolio management software (e.g., Smartsheet, MS Project, Agile).ActivePMP (Project Management Professional)certificationisrequired,withLean Six Sigma highly desired.

• Communication & Influencing Skills: Outstanding written, interpersonal, and executive-level presentation skills. Mustpossessthe ability to distill complex operational data into clear, compelling narratives to effectively influence senior leadership, drive alignment, and foster collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups.

• Change Management:drive change management across organizationallevels, andreset cultural expectationsregardingproject governance and resourceallocation.

• Digital & AI Fluency: Tech-savvy and avid practitioner of digital automation and AI toolshighly preferred. Proven experience working alongside IT departments to develop and implement digital or AI-driven solutions specifically for operational or project portfolio managementis a plus.

• Travel:Willingness to traveloccasionallyfor business purposes.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to encourage 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 for this position ranges from $149,806 - $224,708 USD Annual. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Are you ready to bring new insights and fresh thinking to the table? Fantastic! We have one seat available, and we hope it’s yours. Apply today.

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 follow all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

Date Posted

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.