Associate Director, Business Planning & Operations

At AstraZeneca, we pride ourselves on crafting a collaborative culture that champions knowledge-sharing, ambitious thinking and innovation – ultimately providing employees with the opportunity to work across teams, functions and even the globe. 

Recognizing the importance of individualized flexibility, our ways of working allow employees to balance personal and work commitments while ensuring we continue to create a strong culture of collaboration and teamwork by engaging face-to-face in our offices 3 days a week. Our head office and BlueSky Hub in downtown Toronto are purposely designed with collaboration in mind, providing space where teams can come together to strategize, brainstorm and connect on key projects. 

Our dedication to sustainability is also central to our culture and part of what makes AstraZeneca a great place to work. We know the health of people, the planet, and our business are interconnected, which is why we’re taking ambitious action to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time, from climate change to access to healthcare and disease prevention. 

Introduction to role: 

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Associate Director to join our Business Planning & Operations (BPO) team. The BPO team plays a vital role in the Portfolio and Enabling Function, aiding in planning and implementing initiatives within BioPharma Clinical Operations. The BPO team administers and manages key business processes and tools to support the annual planning cycle, strategic project execution, and day-to-day workflow of Clinical Operations. This role will report into the Senior Director and will support the Business Planning and Operation Directors (i.e. Chiefs of Staff) across Clinical Operations, including TA Clinical Operations program,  including TA Clinical Operations program management and Study leadership organization. If you aspire to become a strategy operations leader, this role will help you hone your skills in facilitation, strategy enablement, and execution. ​

Accountabilities 

• Reporting, Dashboards & Insights: Create monthly and quarterly financial and capacity reports and maintain Power BI dashboards, delivering actionable insights for Program Management & Study leadership discussions and re-prioritization. 

• Capacity Management: Manage and optimize capacity management processes for the Biopharma R&D TA program management and Study Leadership function to ensure alignment with AstraZeneca's strategic objectives and pipeline ambitions. 

• Business Planning: Assist Director and Senior Director BPOs with crafting and leading the annual business planning cycle activities and outputs. 

• Scorecard Goals: Establish robust governance and reporting for strategic initiative goals (e.g., standardization, automation, cycle-time reduction, operational efficiencies), and partner with Clinical Operations to define, track, and measure KPIs that drive continuous improvement aligned to strategic priorities. 

• Governance & Operating Rhythm: Plan and run leadership forums (e.g., monthly business reviews, quarterly prioritization sessions), including agenda setting, pre-reads, decision capture, and follow-up actions. 

• Stakeholder Management, Communications & Facilitation: Engage cross-functionally to foster collaboration and alignment; develop clear communications for Program Management and enabling functions (e.g., key messages, timelines, guidance) to support adoption of planning processes and tools. 

• Portfolio & Scenario Planning Support: Partner with TA Program Management leaders to run scenario analyses (demand vs. capacity, pipeline shifts) and translate insights into actionable recommendations and re-allocation options. 

• BPO/Partner Enablement: Support BPO partners and internal tool owners by clarifying requirements, coordinating training, monitoring data quality, and ensuring timely, compliant delivery of planning and reporting outputs. 

Essential Skills/Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, health sciences, or related fields. An MBA or other advanced degree is highly desirable. 

• 3+ years’ experience in business planning, financial analysis, and capacity management. 

• Strong background in quantitative analysis and the ability to work with large datasets to extract actionable insights. 

• Proven track record in developing analytical tools and frameworks to improve resource allocation and operational planning. 

• Experience working in a confidential environment with senior leaders. 

• Excellent collaboration required – needs the energy to work across global & functional boundaries both internally and externally. 

• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills. 

• Advanced proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook). 

Desirable Skills/Experience 

• Experience planning processes in a healthcare or biopharma clinical operations setting. 

• Proficient in using tools and software for planning purposes. 

• Proficiency in crafting and deploying Power BI reports to improve operational efficiency. 

• Familiarity with additional data analytics tools and software (e.g., SQL, R, Python) that complement Power BI and support comprehensive data manipulation and reporting capabilities. 

• Knowledge of Data Management, Programming, Statistics, or Information Practice. 

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

• GTAA Top Employer Award for 10 years 

• Top 100 Employers Award 

• Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture 

• Learn more about working with us in Canada 

• View our YouTube channel 

Are you interested in working at AZ, apply today! 

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination. AstraZeneca is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Such accommodation is available on request in respect of all aspects of the recruitment, assessment and selection process and may be requested by emailing [email protected]. 

#LI-Hybrid 

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Annual base salary for this position ranges from 127,868.00 to 167,826.75.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.