Head of Business Development - xSITE

AstraZeneca's Pharmaceutical Technology & Development (PT&D) is home to the Sustainable Innovation & Transformational Excellence (xSITE) department. Our mission is to 1) drive change through transformative leadership that influences behaviour and inspires new thinking, 2) facilitate progress of new science & technology to transform the efficiency of our business and 3) drive research and innovation excellence in AI-powered drug development, low carbon technologies, and data science management and governance.

xSITE is seeking a Head of Business Development. This individual will lead the department's business development efforts, with a focus on sculpting and actualizing new business opportunities for PT&D. The successful candidate will be known for their remarkable leadership of a team of business development experts and for encouraging collaborations with xSITE's teams to propel concepts from ideation and selection through to testing and prototyping, including development and delivery of comprehensive business cases.

In this era of rapid technological advancement, the incumbent's role is particularly critical. The measure of success lies in understanding and being experienced in traditional business development activities and what the future has in hold. The role-holder will thus be tasked with championing the integration of cutting-edge digital technologies into business development strategies. This forward-thinking approach will ensure that PT&D remains at the forefront of innovation.

The role affords the opportunity to engage with an extensive network both within and beyond the organization. Critical to this position is the establishment and maintenance of relationships with all departments within PT&D, ensuring alignment and optimal outcomes. The incumbent will also be expected to build a broad network among technology providers, academic institutions, and to participate actively in key industry conferences and meetings. A key responsibility is to ensure that AstraZeneca's external engagements are conducted with the utmost professionalism.

As a member of xSITE's leadership team, you will cultivate essential relationships with the Head of Science & Innovation, Head of Lean, Head of Digital Science, Head of Strategy & Operations and the project leader of the Holistic Digital Twin program, aligning strategic goals and driving transformative initiatives.

Responsibilities

* As member of xSITE's LT, shaping, building and implementing the strategy, objectives and plans for the department.
* Leading a group of business development experts towards success - for the group members, for the group, for the wider business and ultimately for our patients.
* Implementing and following up of the new business development process, including the lean-based inputs, value-focused decision points, readiness assessments.
* Leading the team towards using cutting edge Generative AI to transform the team productivity.
* Developing and implementing business development process compliance measures and ensuring efficient follow up.
* Driving development of business cases, describing the opportunity, benefits and risks.
* Agreeing with relevant collaborators the best approach for business case evaluation and approval.
* Developing principles for landscaping activities together with the BD team and Science & Innovation team for assessing external technology opportunities.
* Establishing external and internal networks cross PT&D and AZ to support innovation advancement by identifying and capture business opportunities.
* Acting as ambassador for research and innovation and facilitate wider understanding how PTD's innovation portfolio can result in patient benefits.
* Ensuring that all developments are delivered in compliance with appropriate standards and guidelines.

Essential Requirements

* Experience of working across a number of pharmaceutical subject areas and involvement in business development or leading business development-like activities such as finance and contracting.
* A solid scientific background in the pharmaceutical industry. Highly likely to have a PhD qualification in one of the main scientific areas - chemistry, physics, biology, pharmacy.
* A track record of training and preferably experience in digital transformation.
* Documented ability to create efficient formalized business processes with underpinning organisational change techniques and potentially agile and lean methodology
* Working experience in liaising effectively internally and externally.
* Demonstrated strong analytical skills and ability to ascertain the relevant issues from large masses of information.
* Strong strategic and entrepreneurial thinking. Able to interpret complex situations and information to provide strategic clarity and opportunity.

Skills and capabilities

* Strong leadership skills, with the ability to guide with vision and purpose, and ignite passion among team members.
* Effective decision-making skills, with the courage to communicate with conviction and inspiration at all levels.
* A high standard of professional excellence, with a track record of delivering results.
* Excellent active listening skills, with the ability to foster an environment where individuals feel valued, understood, and motivated to excel.
* High emotional intelligence, supporting excellent team working and networking skills.
* High degree of personal integrity and credibility.

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.



Apply no later than March 27th, 2024.