Project Governance and Business Operations Partner

Project Governance and Business Operations Partner

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to encourage 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 outstanding and ambitious world.

Introduction to role

Lead business operational rhythms across Patient Services, driving rigor in project governance, project delivery, financial forecasting, and the annual mid‑term planning cycle. Build, implement, and manage standardized project planning and execution methods. Use a fit‑for‑purpose stage‑gate approval process. This ensures well-defined arguments, consistent delivery quality, predictable outcomes, and effective risk management. Consolidate financial inputs into clear insights, and orchestrate cross‑functional delivery with Patient Services, Commercial Operations, IT, and Alexion Finance. Serve as the visible point of contact for projects and departmental financials, ensuring priorities, resources, and outcomes are aligned.

Accountabilities

• Project Governance: Manage the intake, evaluation and prioritization of new opportunities; maintain accurate portfolio metrics (schedules, scope changes, resource allocations, risks/issues); ensure data integrity and timeliness across governance tools and dashboards; drive cadence of portfolio reviews and decision forums. Establish and enforce a standardized stage gate framework (e.g., Idea, Define, Plan, Complete, Operate/Close) with clear entry/exit criteria, artifacts, and decision rights to improve transparency and efficiency.
• Methodologies and Delivery Standards: Develop, document, implement and continuously improve project planning and execution methodologies tailored to Patient Services (including work breakdown standards, achievement models, dependency management, resource requirements, change control, and benefits tracking). Create and maintain templates, playbooks, and RACI models; define quality checks and readiness criteria at each gate; run periodic health checks and after action reviews to drive lessons learned into the methodology.
• Financial Forecasting and Budget Management: Own rolling monthly forecasts by consolidating inputs from diverse budget owners; analyze variances and drivers; track actuals vs. plan; recommend and drive corrective actions; prepare clear, executive ready financial summaries.
• Coordinate the yearly mid term planning process for Patient Services. Engage closely with the Alexion Finance community. Set timelines, templates, and deliverables. Ensure scenarios align with strategic priorities and resource limits.
• Act as Project Manager/Project Lead for key Patient Services efforts. Determine the scope, targets, and measures of success. Coordinate work among different teams. Handle risks, dependencies, and change management. Update senior participants on progress and results.
• Collaborator Engagement: Build positive relationships across Patient Services, Finance, IT, and Operations; translate technical and financial details into clear narratives; enable informed decisions through concise, well-structured communications.
• Finance Process Support: Serve as the process expert for the procure-to-pay process for Patient Services by educating colleagues on and facilitating issue resolution for new vendor set-up, contracting, purchase order creation and invoice payment.
• Tools, Data, and Reporting: Maintain governance systems, dashboards, and financial forecasts; drive standardization and continuous improvement in templates, processes, indicators, and performance reporting.

Essential Skills/Experience

• Experience: 5+ years in project/portfolio management, finance, operations, or consulting, including leading complex, cross functional initiatives in a healthcare, biotech, pharma, or similarly regulated environment.
• Governance Expertise: Demonstrated ability to run intake/prioritization processes, maintain project portfolio metrics, and facilitate decision forums with senior leaders.
• Financial Acumen: Strong competency in forecasting, budgeting, variance analysis, and scenario planning, including advanced proficiency with Excel; ability to consolidate inputs and generate executive ready insights and recommendations.
• Project Management: Proven success setting scope, schedules, and deliverables; managing risks/issues; and driving outcomes across diverse collaborators.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication, including executive level storytelling and the ability to simplify complex information.
• Leadership and Collaboration: Strong collaborator management, facilitation, and influence skills; ability to lead without formal authority in a matrixed environment.
• Service Delivery: Focused approach with strong collaboration skills; confident in driving approvals and resolving routine vendor issues.
• Process Orientation: Discipline in documentation, data quality, and continuous improvement; comfort establishing standards and enforcing adherence.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, operations, engineering, or related field.
• The duties of this role are generally conducted in an office environment. As is typical of an office-based role, employees must be able, with or without an accommodation to: use a computer; engage in communications via phone, video, and electronic messaging; engage in problem solving and non-linear thought, analysis, and dialogue; collaborate with others; maintain general availability during standard business hours.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Industry Background: Experience within patient services, rare disease, specialty pharma, or payer/provider services; familiarity with compliance and privacy constraints.
• Finance Partnership: Direct experience collaborating with corporate finance and budget owners, ideally within or alongside the Alexion finance community.
• Credentials: PMP, Lean/Six Sigma or similar certifications.
• Strategic Planning: Experience administering annual planning cycles, strategic portfolio rationalization, and resource capacity planning.
• Change Management: Proficiency in organizational change management (e.g., Prosci/ADKAR) to drive adoption of new processes, tools, and ways of working.

Great People want to Work with us! Find out why:

• GTAA Top Employer Award for 11 years
• Top 100 Employers Award
• Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture
• Learn more about working with us in Canada
• View our YouTube channel

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 encourage? Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career at Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease.

#LI-Hybrid

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Annual base salary for this position ranges from 94,820.80 to 124,452.30.

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.