Oncology Early Project Lead

The role will lead the development and execution of the China and/or global product strategy for one or more projects. He/she will develop a range of strategic and tactical options, secure governance and budget approval, and secure cross-functional resource for the projects and then take accountability for execution, monitoring and reporting of progress / issues. He/she will articulate the project goals, strategy and the underlying science and clinical need to internal and external audiences with clarity and credibility.

This role will work also with AZ global and China stakeholders, as well as external experts to develop integrated project plans which can be delivered across functional boundaries. Ensure that diverse views within the project team are heard and that a strongly empowered and motivated team is created.

He/she demonstrates highly visible leadership within the oncology community, both within AZ China, global and externally, and support the broader goals of Early Oncology beyond the projects they hold accountability for. Develops strong networks with the disease area leadership, downstream customers and with external experts will articulate the unmet clinical need and the commercial opportunity addressed by Early Oncology projects.

Typical Accountabilities

As a Project Leader

• Lead projects from preclinical Lead Optimisation Investment Decision to clinical Proof of Concept (PoC)
• Ensure that the development strategy in China is in full alignment with early Global Program Team and corresponding Therapeutic Area in China

• Responsible for all aspects of project strategy including preclinical, translational, clinical development, patient selection, regulatory, paediatric, intellectual property, CMC

• Accountable for the delivery of project according to quality, time, budgets and resources
• Ensure, together with functional leaders in and outside Early Oncology, that the project team is appropriately resourced and ensure resources from functions are managed effectively in the project team
• Ensure that there are robust processes, plans and data to enable Governance Bodies to make investment decisions and prioritise projects across the portfolio.

As a member of the Early Oncology Projects group

• Support development of a winning disease area strategy, driving portfolio value
• Share responsibility for the delivery of sufficient successful PoCs, demonstrating therapeutic relevance, with high probability of successful market access and delivery of valuable new medicines
• Support portfolio delivery by seeking the appropriate tiering for their own projects and supporting higher priority projects led by others when appropriate

Culture

• Create a vibrant, entrepreneurial and externally facing team focused on the delivery of successful PoCs that supports the overall oncology business through effective collaboration
• Build a culture which values focused innovation, is open to challenge and new ideas and allows all team members to deliver to their maximum through an open and inclusive culture

Talent Management & Development

• Provide high quality feedback and coaching to deployed reports and mentor key talent in the organization
• Collaborate with other Project Leaders, the oncology combinations group, and deployed functions to build outstanding project leadership within the Early Oncology

External

• Champion projects, the broader AZ portfolio and disease area science to build external profile and support portfolio development
• Develop key external networks to access external talent and assets

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Essential

• Advanced degree in life sciences, MD and/or PhD or equivalent
• Deep knowledge and broad experience (likely ≥5 years) of drug discovery and early or late phase clinical development including significant experience of cross-functional project team working. 
• Good awareness of the Oncology therapeutic area: current and emerging treatment pathways in major tumor types
• Demonstrated leadership and decision making in a cross-functional project team environment and at significant governance interactions
• Good awareness of commercial, regulatory, and broader strategic aspects of drug development and understanding of relevance of competitor environment
• Demonstrated experience of building external networks and fostering effective relationships with external experts
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and with an entrepreneurial mindset.  Partners effectively with colleagues from wider business to ensure alignment
• Building  a high performing team with culture & shared vision which values innovation and is open to challenge.
• Has built high levels of credibility with key senior stakeholders, both internal and external network of experts. 
• Has strong communication skills with the ability to describe complex issues concisely & effectively and secure stakeholder buy in to cross functional investment proposals
• Is resilient: able driving team performance and delivering plans whilst under pressure.  Able to distil out key issues in complex problems and proactive in identifying potential solutions
• Is decisive: Highly effective in dealing with ambiguity and reducing complexity

Desirable

• Proven leadership skills in delivering projects
• Proven enterprise leadership skills in working to maximise value of whole portfolio

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