Clinical Research & Development Associate Director

What You Will Do A leadership role combining clinical, scientific, commercial, and operational expertise to drive the successful development and delivery of novel therapeutic approaches for inflammatory myopathies, JIA, and/or Sjogren's Disease. Responsible for integrating research and development strategies, ensuring robust, commercially viable study designs and execution, and optimizing cross-functional collaboration from early research through to late-stage clinical development and lifecycle management.

Typical Accountabilities -Integrate the research and commercial aspects of drug development to ensure successful, value creating product development, either by overseeing a team of clinical research professionals, or by supporting such a team as an expert in one or more areas of clinical research - Design and oversee studies to assess both scientific and commercial viability of drugs and portfolios, interpreting results as team head or expert contributor. - Maintain a continuous focus on both scientific rigor and commercial goals, ensuring products meet regulatory, market, and patient needs throughout their lifecycle. - Plan, monitor, and manage the delivery of all clinical development study components, including operational feasibility assessment, timelines, budgets, risk/contingency planning, and resource allocation. - Provide strategic and operational input into global clinical development plans and ensures implementation of agreed processes, technologies, and best practices. - Lead the selection and negotiation processes for CROs and external partners, ensuring timely, quality delivery to specified standards. - Participate in steering committees, regulatory defense teams, and submission assemblies; coordinates and contributes to the preparation of submission documentation for regulatory authorities. - Serve as a communication bridge between internal and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment and timely dissemination of critical project information throughout the product lifecycle. - Champion and sustains a culture of courageous leadership, innovation, and collaboration; develops and mentors clinical research and development staff in support of professional growth and project excellence. - Monitor team and project performance, provides constructive feedback, and ensure compliance with Safety, Health, Environment, and all other relevant internal or external standards and regulations.

Qualifications and Skills Essential: Advanced clinical degree (M.D., PhD, or equivalent) in a scientific, medical, or health-related discipline; Comprehensive knowledge of the drug development process; Demonstrated knowledge of AstraZeneca line and project management tools and processes; Good understanding of the therapeutic areas related to AZ products; Ability to understand integrated worldwide and regional delivery needs; Very good knowledge of oral and written communication in English; Ability to travel nationally and internationally Desirable: Ability to mentor, develop and educate staff; Proven leadership promoting motivation and empowerment of others in order to accomplish individual, team and organizational objectives; Manages change with a positive approach and flexibility to the challenges of change for self, team and business.

Sees change as an opportunity to improve performance and add value to the business; Ability to look for and champion more efficient and effective methods/processes of delivering Clinical Development focusing on key performance metrics around reliability, productivity, cost and quality; Excellent written and verbal communication skills, negotiation, collaboration and interpersonal skills with ability to work effectively with others at all levels of the organization; Demonstrated ability to set and manage priorities, resources, performance targets and project initiatives in a regional and local environment; Integrity and high ethical standards Key Relationship to Reach Solutions Internal: Study Delivery personnel; Data Management Centre representatives; Clinical Project Team and therapy area personnel; Clinical Development personnel; Clinical Pharmacology Units; Study Site personnel; Regional Monitoring personnel; Other Skill Centres as appropriate External: External service providers; Clinicians and scientists; Patient advocacy groups; Alliance site partners Date Posted 09-Aug-2026 Closing Date 03-Sep-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. AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company.

We focus on discovering, developing and commercialising prescription medicines for some of the world's most serious diseases. But we are more than one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we're dedicated to being a Great Place to Work.

Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science, challenge convention and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. To embrace differences and take bold actions to drive the change needed to meet global healthcare and sustainability challenges. There is no better place to make a difference in medicine, patients, and society.

An inclusive culture where you will connect different thinking to generate new and valuable opportunities. Where you will find a commitment to lifelong learning, growth and development for all. Our Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) mission is to create an inclusive and equitable environment where people belong, using the power of our diversity to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines to patients.

Inclusion and diversity are fundamental to the success of our company, because innovation requires breakthrough ideas that only come from a diverse workforce empowered to challenge conventional thinking. We're curious about science and the advancement of knowledge. We find creative ways to approach new challenges.

We're driven to make the right choices and be accountable for our actions. As an organisation centred around what makes us human, we put a big focus on people. Across our business, we want colleagues to wake up excited about their day at the office, in the field, or in the lab.

Along with our purpose to bring life-changing medicines to people across the globe, we have a promise to you: to help you realise the full breadth of your potential. Here, you'll do work that has the potential to change your life and improve countless others. And, together with your team, you'll shape a culture that unites and inspires us every day.

This is your life at AstraZeneca.