Head of Innovation Strategy & External Liaison

At AstraZeneca, we put patients first and strive to meet their unmet needs worldwide. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality. If you are swift to action, confident to lead, willing to collaborate, and curious about what science can do, then you're our kind of person.

Pharmaceutical Technology and Development (PT&D) is the bridge that turns forward-thinking science into actual medicines that help millions of people. We work across the entire value chain, designing and delivering active ingredients, formulations and devices for new medicines while providing expert technical support to all AZ's commercial drug substances and products to ensure we successfully supply medicines to patients.

We are now looking for a Head of Innovation Strategy & External Liaison, to join us in PT&D and become a member of PT&D Leadership Team. This role can be based in Gothenburg, Sweden, Cambridge, UK or Gaithersburg, US. In the role you will define and deliver, in collaboration with other PT&D functions and partners, an Innovation business process and strategy (including both technology and expertise). A strategy that drives the delivery of innovative medicines design, differentiated commercially viable tools and processes - by that support AstraZeneca's future portfolio readiness.

What you'll do:

Part of the role is to establish a PT&D business development capability (in partnership with Global Product and Portfolio Strategy and Business Development Organisation) to facilitate evaluation and potential acquisition of technology opportunities. To do this you will conduct analysis and evaluate industry, competitive technology trends in designated areas to define business opportunities and threats. Also, build an insight/foresight platform and pipeline forecast models to visualise and understand future science and technology requirements. Further the role includes:

* Proactively search, evaluate, test and drive feasibility studies for new science and technology opportunities in areas such as drug delivery, formulation, analytical, devices, packaging, drug substance /drug product manufacturing processes
* Own and manage the collaboration and innovation budgets and drive feasibility studies in collaboration with internal and external functions/groups/institutions/hubs etc. leading to identification and selection of concepts for full implementation in the AZ portfolio of products
* Propose and embed innovation solutions into the new product development. Inform and advise product technology/drug delivery strategies to respond to current and future TA and patient needs. Actively push new product /device technology opportunities to PT&D teams
* Establish an industry leading global model for active technology hunting and evaluation of opportunities coming out from universities, start-ups and other commercial actors. Build wider understanding about the technology landscape including monitoring competitors and how that may impact AZ business now and in the future



Essential for the role

You have a strong scientific background in the pharmaceutical industry, preferably within CMC. You can show a track record of successful leadership and ability to deliver within a matrix organisation. Ideally with past experience of working across a number of pharmaceutical fields. Also, significant change management experience is essential to enable building the functional capability. For this, strong project management and leadership skills are needed. As is experience of managing multidisciplinary teams.

* Shown ability to liaise effectively internally and externally

* Demonstrates ability to influence across disease and therapy areas enabling effective portfolio development
* Experience and track record in innovation, collaboration and product development
* Strong strategic and entrepreneurial thinking
* Able to interpret complex situations and information in order to provide strategic clarity and opportunity



Desirables for the role

* PhD qualification in one of the main scientific areas - chemistry, biology, pharmacy
* Experience from working within more than one function and having worked in different companies



Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca we're dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There's no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We're on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.



So what's next:

Are you ready to bring new ideas and fresh thinking to the table? Excellent! We have one seat available, and we hope it's yours. We welcome your application, no later than September 19th, 2021.



Where can I find out more?

Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/

Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/

Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/astrazeneca_careers/?hl=en



Competitive salary and benefits package on offer.
Opening date: 2021-09-02

Closing date: 2021-09-19