Senior Director/ Executive Director, Safety Sciences China

AtAstraZeneca, wepush the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines.Our global Safety Sciencesorganizationdeliversinnovative non-clinical safety scienceand toxicologyexpertisetoenable the discovery,developmentand registration of novel medicines. 

As we expand our footprint in China, we are seeking aseniorleader to build and scale local Safety Sciences capabilities and integrateinnovation from the locallife-science ecosystem.

This role will lead the Safety Sciences team in China while also providing visible local leadership across the widerClinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences (CPSS)organization and ensuring strong alignment with global strategy, priorities, and ways of working.You will lead a high‑performing team,deliver criticaltoxicology strategies, expertise and data toaccelerateglobaldrug discovery and developmentprojects,establish durable partnerships withCROs,topacademicinstitutes, and biotechin China,channel cutting‑edge methods (advanced cell models, NAMs, AI/analytics, omics, Dx safety) to modernize toxicology and enhance translationalsafetydecision‑making.

Job description

• CPSS China leadership: Serve as the China Site Headfor CPSS, providing local leadership and coordination across the broader CPSS organization in China. Act as a key link between the China(Shanghai and Beijing)and global CPSSfootprints,facilitatingalignment oflocal activities, talent, culture, engagement, and operational priorities with broader strategicobjectives. Partner with the CPSSLeadership Teamand other senior leaders to strengthen visibility, connectivity, and organizational effectiveness in China.

• Deliver effectivetoxicologystrategies forassets developed in China(internallyand/orwith collaborators),translating program needs intotestingstrategies, study plans, timelines, and decision-making data,ensuring preclinical safety input that integrates seamlessly into global development and submissions.

• Overseethe design, placement, and interpretation of in vitro and in vivo toxicology studies, executed with qualified China CROs– delivering quality, cycle‑time, and costobjectiveswith clear guardrails. You will ensure scientific integrity, translational context, and proactive risk mitigation; author/review study reports and regulatory modules; and support responses to health authorities, upholding GLP/GxP‑like expectations for data integrity and inspection readiness.

• Peopleand matrixleadership:Lead ahighperforming, bilingual team of Toxicologists, Safety Scientistsand Study Monitors.Foster an inclusive culture, leading across cultural boundaries and time zones, setting localobjectivesaligned with globalexpertisegroups,driving clarity on priorities and accountability.

• As a member of the Safety Sciences Leadership Team,contribute to global strategicobjectivesto Enhance Human Safety Predictions and Accelerate the Delivery of Candidate Drugs to Patients. Serve as the primary Safety Sciences point of contact in the China time zone for cross functional partners, ensuring aligned priorities and seamless integration with global teams. Build credibility and trust with internal governance bodies and external collaborators to accelerate progress.

• Innovation and ecosystem development:Anticipatescientific and portfolio trends; scout and pilot China-based innovations (advanced cell models, NAMs, AI/analytics, omics, Discovery safety). Establish collaborations with leading academics, biotech, and preferred CROs, channeling validated approaches into global practice.

• Contributes to internal and external scientific reputation and role modelsdemonstration of AZ Values.

Essential skills and experience

• Scientificexcellence, with a PhD in toxicology, pharmacology, pathology, cellbiologyor related life science,with a strong scientifictrack record,including high impact publications.

• Solid drug discovery and developmentexperiencefromexpert/leadershiproles inglobal pharma/biotech(ortop‑tierCRO),leading GLP andnon‑GLPtoxicology packagesacross the full drug development lifecycle, with strong understanding ofmultidisciplinary interfaces, such asClinical,RegulatoryandBiology.

• People and matrixleadershipskills:Demonstratedexperience building high performing teams and coaching/mentoring (senior) scientists.Provenability to lead through a complex global matrix, aligning stakeholders, influencing, resolvingtrade‑offs, and driving clarity on priorities, accountability, and decision pathways.

• Strong awarenessof work-relatedcultural aspectsacross China, EU, UK,USand a proven ability to work and lead acrossgeographies andcultural barriers,building trust and effective collaboration in a global pharma environment.

• Significantexpertisein designing and interpreting in vivo toxicology studies, regulatory authorshipand interactions,and astrongdrive forscientific innovation andinvestigativetoxicologyanddiscovery safety.

• Excellent communication and influencing skills, fluent in English and Mandarin, andability tooperateeffectively across time zones.

Desirable

• Modalityexperienceacross small molecules and large molecules (radioconjugates, antibody–drug conjugates,immunecell engagers).

• Experience withprivate-public collaborations inthe Chinalife scienceinnovation ecosystem (CROs, institutes, startups); piloting NAMs/advanced models; digital/AI‑enabledstudy planning; Dx safety capabilities.

• Experience engaging with local Health Authorities(CDE),including preparation of briefing materials, participation in meetings, andfollow‑upresponses,and familiarity with China early-phase pathways.

• Board certification (e.g.DABT)preferred.