Global Program Director

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 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. Join us in our unique and ambitious world. 

Introduction to role:

Are you ready to lead pivotal, high‑priority clinical programs that turn bold science into life‑changing medicines? In this role, you will take end‑to‑end accountability for delivering complex, multi‑study programs that enable regulatory success and reach patients faster. You will be the Clinical Operations voice at the core of a global cross‑functional team, steering strategy and execution from first plan through final report.

As Global Program Director, you will orchestrate insourced and outsourced trials across countries, vendors and modalities. You will align resources, budgets and timelines, implement robust risk and feasibility plans, and drive consistency across studies so every achievement is met with quality. Can you see yourself uniting country operations, CRO partners and cross‑functional leaders to deliver reliably, first time, every time?

Accountabilities:

Program Leadership: Serve as a core member of the Global Project Team representing Clinical Operations, setting program direction and ensuring operational excellence across all studies.

Clinical Trial Delivery: Lead the planning, implementation and execution of high‑priority clinical programs and pivotal, corporate‑priority trials, spanning both insourced and outsourced studies.

Study Team Oversight: Provide leadership and oversight to Global Study Managers and Global Study Associate Directors, ensuring alignment and consistency across all studies within the program.

Risk and Feasibility Strategy: Contribute strategic and operational assessment, including risk management and feasibility, to the Global Development Plan to optimize delivery and de‑risk execution.

Budget and Resource Stewardship: Be accountable to program leadership for planning, tracking and forecasting Clinical Operations budgets, resource allocation and timelines against agreed goals.

Financial Management: Develop and maintain study budgets, including short‑ and long‑range clinical forecasting and monthly accruals based on clinical activity, to support financial objectives.

Sourcing and Vendor Strategy: Collaborate with appropriate functions to define sourcing strategies; partner with Country Operations for insourced delivery and oversee CROs for outsourced studies.

Operational Standards and Compliance: Establish program standards, including monitoring plans and risk mitigation strategies; oversee operational vendors (monitoring, labs, imaging) to ensure quality and performance.

Quality by Design and Deliverables: Review key deliverables—Protocols, Informed Consent Forms, ClinicalTrials.gov postings and Clinical Study Reports—for program consistency and scientific integrity.

Regulatory and GCP Adherence: Ensure compliance with ICH‑GCP and the EU Clinical Trial Directive throughout the clinical development plan.

Data Mastery and Knowledge Transfer: Develop deep knowledge of clinical data and drive effective transfer of insights to cross‑functional study teams to enable informed decision‑making.

Portfolio Influence: Provide input to Program and Portfolio Management during portfolio prioritization exercises, balancing risk, value and feasibility.

Functional Excellence: Lead or contribute to Development Operations excellence initiatives that improve cross‑functional processes and elevate performance.

Additional Contributions: Support other study and functional activities as assigned to advance program and organizational goals.

Essential Skills/Experience:

Must have a strong background within Oncology

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in one of the fields related to clinical care, life sciences, or drug development

12 years of clinical research experience, 8 of which in leading roles accountable for the planning, execution and reporting of global clinical trials of diverse development phases (I – IV).

Proven accountability for the implementation and execution of high‑priority clinical programs, including all studies within a program across insourced and outsourced models

Experience as a core member of a global project or program team, representing Clinical Operations

Demonstrated leadership and oversight of Global Study Managers and Global Study Associate Directors, ensuring consistency across studies

Direct responsibility for planning, implementation and execution of pivotal, high corporate‑priority clinical trials

Expertise in risk management and feasibility assessment contributing to the Global Development Plan

Accountability for planning, tracking and forecasting Clinical Operations budgets, resource allocation and timelines against program goals

Hands‑on development and maintenance of study budgets, including short‑/long‑range clinical forecasting and monthly accruals based on clinical activity

Experience defining sourcing strategies, partnering with Country Operations for insourced studies and overseeing/managing CROs for outsourced studies

Proven ability to establish operational standards, including monitoring plans, risk mitigation strategies and vendor oversight (monitoring, labs, imaging)

Track record of reviewing key deliverables for program consistency, including Protocols, Informed Consent Forms, ClinicalTrials.gov postings and Clinical Study Reports

Comprehensive knowledge of ICH‑GCP and the EU Clinical Trial Directive applied across clinical development

Ability to develop in‑depth knowledge of clinical data and ensure effective knowledge transfer to cross‑functional study teams

Experience providing input to Program and Portfolio Management for prioritization decisions

Contributions to functional excellence initiatives that impact cross‑functional processes

Flexibility to support additional study and functional activities as needed

Desirable Skills/Experience:

Leadership of global late‑stage registration programs across multiple regions

Experience preparing for regulatory submissions and inspections

Proficiency with digital trial technologies, risk‑based monitoring and data‑driven/AI‑supported operational decision‑making

Strength in vendor governance frameworks, performance management and contract negotiations

Background spanning both biotech and large pharma environments

Formal training in portfolio management, finance or operational excellence (e.g., MBA, PMP, Lean Six Sigma)

Proven ability to influence senior collaborators and communicate complex risks and trade‑offs with clarity

At Alexion, you will find a collaborative culture that encourages innovation and a diverse environment where your contributions are valued. You will have the opportunity to be at the forefront of rare disease research and make a meaningful difference in patients' lives. 

Ready to lead and inspire? Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career at Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease. 

#LI-Hybrid 

Annual base salary for this position ranges from 151,884.00 to 199,347.75.

AstraZeneca is committed to providing fair and equitable compensation opportunities to all colleagues. Our compensation policies and practices have been designed to allow colleagues to progress through the salary range over time as they progress in their role. The range provided in this posting represents an offer pay range used in a majority of situations. The base pay offered will vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including the candidate's skills and experience, job-related knowledge, and other specific business and organizational needs.  In some cases, offers outside the range may also be considered to address unique circumstances.

In addition, our permanent positions offer an annual Variable Pay Bonus/Short Term Incentive opportunity as well as eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (if applicable to role).  Benefits offered for permanent roles include a competitive Flex Benefits & Retirement Savings Program, 4 weeks’ paid vacation, and annual Personal Days. Fixed Term Contract/Temporary positions (excluding students) are offered a Contract Benefits Program.

We are using AI as part of the recruitment process.

This advertisement relates to a current vacancy.

Date Posted

Closing Date

Alexion is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging where every single person can belong because of their uniqueness. The Company will not make decisions about employment, training, compensation, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment based on race, color, religion, creed or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, marital status, pregnancy, (including childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), parental status (including adoption or surrogacy), military status, protected veteran status, disability, medical condition, gender identity or expression, genetic information, mental illness or other characteristics protected by law. Alexion provides reasonable accommodations to meet the needs of candidates and employees. To begin an interactive dialogue with Alexion regarding an accommodation, please contact accommodations@Alexion.com. Alexion participates in E-Verify.