Want to know if this job is worth applying to?
Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States
Hybrid
Job Title: Executive Director Clinical Operations, Program Management (Cell Therapy/ Car-T)
Locations: US based (Gaithersburg, MD, Boston, MA, SSF, CA, Santa Clara, CA)
Introduction to role:
Accountabilities:
Franchise Leadership: Clinical Operations Strategy: Define and implement short- and long-term clinical operations strategies across franchises, including therapeutic operating models, country footprint and site strategies, and consistent, deliverable operational clinical development plans.
Integrated Portfolio Delivery: Provide direct strategic oversight of global cell therapy clinical studies to deliver to agreed time and cost, meeting quality and regulatory standards across the portfolio.
Governance and Decision Quality: Serve as a core member of enterprise governance for cell therapy, including Protocol Review Committee sign-off for clinical operations and robust operational review ahead of key decision bodies (DRC and ESPC/LSPC).
Prioritization and Forecasting: Establish and communicate delivery strategies, portfolio priorities, and key metrics to leadership; partner with planning leaders to drive slot forecasting and prioritization decisions.
Regulatory and Inspection Readiness: Ensure franchise-wide preparation for regulatory submissions and sustained inspection readiness. Functional Leadership: High-Performing Teams: Build and inspire a strong, capable global team across program leadership roles, setting vision and strategy, elevating performance, and developing capabilities at scale.
Operational Excellence: Lead functional delivery including financial cycle planning (MTP, LTP, phased budget), training and onboarding strategies, and functional budget management.
Cross-Functional Integration: Build deep partnerships with shared functions (Data Management, Vendor Management, Lab Management groups, Logistics, Manufacturing) to co-create and execute fit-for-purpose cell therapy strategies.
External Engagement and Innovation: Engage with industry leaders to bring innovation into clinical operations practice; lead large transformational workstreams within and beyond the function.
Leadership Team Contribution: Serve as a key member of the leadership team, shaping the forward plan and ensuring standardization and consistency of delivery across programs.
Essential Skills/Experience:
Desirable Skills/Experience:
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 we need 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.
Why AstraZeneca: Here you will harness cutting-edge science and modern platforms to change outcomes for patients, backed by sustained investment and a proven record of bringing multiple new cancer medicines to market in the past decade. We bring clinicians, scientists, data experts, and manufacturing leaders together to solve the hardest problems in cell therapy, with the autonomy to ask bold questions and the support to deliver at scale. Your leadership will shape how bench breakthroughs become global studies and, ultimately, new standards of care. We value kindness alongside ambition, pairing high expectations with collaboration, transparency, and the freedom to innovate. 7. Call to Action: If you are ready to turn bold cell therapy science into reliable, global execution, step forward and lead the way today.
Competitive salary and benefits package on offer:
For the full time role, the annual base salary in for this position in the US, ranges from $270,188.80 - 405,283.20 USD. However, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles) or to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
Date Posted
18-Sept-2026Closing Date
09-Oct-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.
