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AstraZeneca · 1 hour ago

Executive Director, Business Transformation

Gaithersburg, MD

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

$246K/yr - $344K/yr

7+ years exp

AstraZeneca is a global, growing enterprise committed to delivering life-saving medicines to patients. The Executive Director of Business Transformation will be accountable for the strategic and operational design and delivery of organizational transformation and change management projects, collaborating with teams across the enterprise to drive operational excellence and implement effective change plans.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyHealth CareMedicalPharmaceuticalPrecision Medicine

Comp. & Benefits

Responsibilities

Proactively identify and shape new enterprise initiatives: Actively monitor internal and external environments to spot emerging trends, technologies, and inefficiencies, turning insights into actionable initiatives that drive future value. Build strong connection with functional leadership teams and act as a thought partner in shaping new cross-functional initiatives and opportunities

Stay ahead of industry shifts, market dynamics, and innovation trends

Provide structured overviews and updates on opportunities and strategic implications of emerging trends

Encourage curiosity and experimentation to uncover new ways of creating impact

Drive strategic priorities and deliver impact for transformation: Actively define the desired outcome-based future state, articulate the purpose and driving factors behind the change, and ensure every initiative directly supports the organization’s long-term objectives

Build and oversee the business case for change, including quantitative and qualitative assessments for senior executive level presentations to make the case for investment

See the “big picture” and understand how different parts of the organization interconnect

Identify long-term opportunities and anticipate future challenges

Lead and manage change through effective stakeholder engagement: Build trust by listening to concerns, aligning diverse perspectives, and guiding people through uncertainty using structured change management approaches

Quickly build trusted thought partnerships with senior and executive stakeholders

Apply proven change management frameworks (e.g., ADKAR, Kotter’s 8 Steps)

Develop and manage stakeholder engagement plan, building trust and alignment at all levels of the organization

Shape and communicate the change narratives: Translate complex transformation goals into clear, inspiring messages that motivate teams, reinforce progress, and sustain belief in the vision

Build and oversee communication and engagement plan in line with change management and delivery roadmap

Tailor communication to different audiences, from executives to frontline teams

Create consistent, compelling narratives to maintain momentum and buy-in

Drive execution through rigorous project and program management: Organize cross-functional efforts, monitor progress against key milestones, and ensure that resources, risks, and dependencies are effectively managed to deliver measurable outcomes

Own and drive complex transformational programs and workstreams

Apply appropriate project management methodologies (Agile, Lean, PMBOK)

Define KPIs and methodology for continuous monitoring and evaluation, taking action where needed to pivot and ensure ongoing progress

Manage budgets, timelines, dependencies, and risks with precision

Adapt quickly and make data-informed decisions: Continuously assess progress, learn from results, and use data insights to pivot strategies, ensuring the transformation stays relevant and impactful in a changing environment

Embrace ambiguity and foster a culture of continuous improvement

Analyze performance data to guide actions and demonstrate progress

Demonstrate resilience by sustaining momentum through setbacks, rapidly adapting plans with data-driven decisions, and role‑modeling transparent, trust‑building communication to maintain delivery confidence

Lead in building a transformation community of practice: Create spaces for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capability building, fostering a culture where transformation expertise is shared and continuously developed across the organization

Actively engage in talent strategy and development plan for business transformation at AZ (across SET areas, in partnership with other functional leadership)

Oversee forums or networks to connect practitioners and share best practices

Embed upskilling opportunities, coach and mentor more junior colleagues to help strengthen collective transformation capability

Qualification

Management consultancyTransformation programsChange management frameworksProject management methodologiesAnalytical skillsStrategic planningCommunication skillsInterpersonal skillsFinancial backgroundLife sciences experienceCreative problem solving

Required

Minimum 7-10 years professional experience in management consultancy and/or leading transformation programs

Graduate degree (MBA, Masters, MD or PhD preferred)

Excellent analytical and communication skills

Effective interpersonal and relationship management skills with consultative approach and ability to interact and build trust

Operational effectiveness, structured & critical thinking, highly organized process with follow through

Strong initiative to understand our core business goals and establish processes or programs to set direction, generate alignment and push forward

Financial background and understanding of forecasts, budgets, financial activities and tools

Resourceful, motivated, influential and proactive; able to prioritize in a fast-growing organization

Experience in strategic planning processes and tools and/or project management tools

Preferred

Background/ experience in life sciences

Understanding of the pharmaceutical business (including R&D, Operations, Commercial)

Experience in leading and managing alliances or strategic partnerships

Experience in translating business needs into a coordinated business proposal and plan for cross-functional senior leadership team

Ability to develop creative and simple solutions to complex problems

Benefits

Short-term incentive bonus opportunity

Eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program

Qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]

Paid vacation and holidays

Paid leaves

Health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage

Company

AstraZeneca

Glassdoor4.1

AstraZeneca is a pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets prescription medicines. It is a sub-organization of Investor.

Founded in 1999

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, GBR

10001+ employees