Business Planning and Operations Associate Director, Cancer Biomarker Development

Job Title: Business Planning and Operations Associate Director, Cancer Biomarker Development
Location: Gaithersburg MD or Waltham, MA

At AstraZeneca, we put patients first and strive to meet their unmet needs worldwide. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality. If you are swift to action, confident to lead, willing to collaborate, and curious about what science can do, then you’re our kind of person.

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 is 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. 

We are seeking a Project Manager in Cancer Biomarker Development to join a world class center for discovery and development of innovative cancer medicines. Based in Gaithersburg MD or Waltham, MA you will provide expert leadership in developing, communicating and managing strategy in conjunction with the leadership team ensuring internal cross-functional and external alignment.

CANCER BIOMARKER DEVELOPMENT

Cancer Biomarker Development is central to our strategy and vision for AstraZeneca’s becoming the leading company in the discovery and development of innovative medicines for cancer patients.  We aim to identify the right treatment for cancer patients as early as possible and give every patient the best possible chance of survival.  We are dedicated to understanding the role that biomarkers and new technologies can play in this ambition and integrating into drug development. The Clinical Biomarkers Development team works closely across the entire AZ Oncology organization, including Early and Late Oncology Development teams to accelerate the delivery of our innovative portfolio.

As a Business Planning and Operations Associate Director, you will support successful delivery of large, sophisticated, strategic projects. You will be accountable for effectively managing the planning and execution of projects, prioritizing your work in alignment with the Oncology R&D strategy. You will report to the Executive Director (CBD), work with functional project managers, greater communication teams, subject-matter experts, key partners, and external academic collaborators. You bring a successful track record in strong influencing skills, building project plans and a sharp focus on delivery.  Experience with using and deploying technology for new, innovative ways of doing things would be an advantage.

Main Responsibilities:

• Drives Oncology R&D objectives and supports the broader community
• Manages the day-to-day operations of the organization to deliver R&D strategic projects and meet agreed scopes, timelines, deliverables, budgets, resource estimates, and success criteria.
• Tracks and reports on the progress of assigned projects to the appropriate governance, partners and senior management
• Actively manages and reports project issues and risks, including partner concerns, as appropriate.
• Project management support of non-drug critical initiatives that are a business priority
• Establishes and leverages standard processes and systems for project planning and execution that are fit-for-purpose

Operations Responsibilities:

• Ensures meetings are scheduled in advance with appropriate agendas and meeting content
• Coordinates preparation of reports for governance through gathering, analyzing and summarizing data and information from the project team and systems
• Track input and output for key deliverables

Communications and Contents Responsibilities

• Develop key process for delivery of information up to Senior Leaders across R&D (e.g. Town Hall content, EOLT, ORDLT, TALT, postcards, regular CBD R&D LT updates).
• Arranging meetings to deliver the projects
• Design and maintain Project Sharepoint site to ensure organizational information, guidance documents.

Minimum Requirements:

• BS in Life Sciences or related fields
• Trained in the top tier consulting firms
• 2 years minimum experience in the pharmaceutical, biopharm industry, including consulting in the field
• Demonstrated track record of success in delivering strategic, complex, cross-functional and multi-site projects on-time, on-budget and to committed deliverables to generate significant business value
• Takes appropriate initiative and accountability including proactively prioritizing work in alignment with business requirements
• Thrive with volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity (VUCA) in the fast paced environment
• High level of cultural sensitivity, interactive communication, negotiation and effective collaboration. Considerable tact, discretion and persuasion to obtain desired outcomes while maintaining ongoing professional relationships. Strong interpersonal, collaboration and communications skills

Where can I find out more?

• Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/
• Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/
• Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/astrazeneca_careers/?hl=en
• Our US Footprint: Powering Scientific Innovation - YouTube

Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

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]

Date Posted

06-Feb-2026

Closing Date

19-Feb-2026Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.