Cell Therapy is a distinct modality: we engineer living cells to maximize clinical benefit in specific diseases. Unlike traditional drug modalities, cell therapy requires iterative engineering and continuous integration across Discovery, CMC, Translational Sciences, and Clinical Development—often continuing into and throughout the clinic. To meet these opportunities and challenges at pace and scale, and to support the AstraZeneca enterprise as it launches a dedicated Cell Therapy unit, we are establishing a GPPM Cell Therapy team to unify specialist programme leadership, drive enterprise decision quality, and ensure seamless end‑to‑end execution.
The GPPM Executive Director, Cell Therapy will lead a focused, high‑performing Cell Therapy project and portfolio management unit with clear accountability for global development and commercial readiness across our cell therapy pipeline in hematology, solid tumor oncology, biopharma, and rare disease. Reporting to the SVP, GPPM and a core member of the GPPM Leadership Team, you will shape modality strategy, influence enterprise investments, and ensure integrated delivery from concept through lifecycle management.
Preferred Location: Gaithersburg
Other locations will be considered
Shape Portfolio Strategy & Investment Decisions
- Own the Cell Therapy portfolio view across hematology, solid tumour oncology, biopharma, and rare disease—from early discovery through to commercial readiness.
- Provide clear, evidence-based recommendations on where to invest, where to accelerate, and where to stop, accounting for the unique economics and risks of cell therapy (manufacturing scalability, vein-to-vein logistics, comparability, supply chain).
- Partner with senior leaders across Therapeutic Areas, Disease Councils, and enterprise governance to ensure Cell Therapy strategy is coherent, funded, and prioritised.
Drive Programme Delivery from Science to Patient
- Translate strategy into executable development plans through your GPM team, connecting product design, manufacturing readiness, translational biomarkers, and clinical endpoints into a single integrated narrative.
- Support the rapid design–test–learn cycles that define cell therapy: ensure manufacturing changes, clinical feedback, and regulatory requirements are managed together—not in silos.
- Ensure programmes are ready at each critical gate (IND filing, first-in-human dosing, pivotal study start, BLA/MAA submission) with no gaps between what the science needs and what manufacturing and regulatory can deliver.
- Use data—manufacturing throughput, patient logistics, probability-of-success modelling—to spot problems early and make better decisions faster.
Build and Lead a Specialist Team
- Create and lead the GPPM Cell Therapy unit: recruit, develop, and coach programme managers who understand both the science and the enterprise.
- Set clear standards, operating rhythms, and ways of working that reflect the pace and complexity of cell therapy development.
- Act as player–coach: set direction and remove barriers at the enterprise level while staying close enough to programmes to intervene when needed.
- Build succession depth for critical roles and develop talent capable of stepping into senior leadership.
Connect the Enterprise
- Establish operating rhythms that give senior leaders transparency on progress, risks, and trade-offs without unnecessary bureaucracy.
- Link externally—partners, CDMOs, regulators, HTA bodies—to inform strategy and unblock delivery.
- Drive innovation in how we work: digital chain-of-identity solutions, manufacturing digital twins, AI-enabled portfolio analytics, and whatever else makes cell therapy faster and more reliable.
Essential qualifications
- BA/BS with 10+ years in life sciences or consulting focused on life science programs; or MS/MBA with 8+ years; or PhD/MD with 5+ years. Demonstrated progression to senior leadership with line accountability.
- Deep oncology and/or immunology expertise with hands‑on Cell Therapy or adjacent advanced therapy experience (e.g., CAR‑T, TCR‑T, NK, iPSC‑derived, gene‑modified cell products) influencing portfolio and investment decisions.
- Proven executive presence; ability to influence and align SVP/VP stakeholders and senior governance in a fast‑paced, highly matrixed setting.
- Track record of leading high‑performing, cross‑functional development teams delivering through complex CMC/clinical intersections and regulatory milestones.
- Strong strategic thinking with evidence‑based decision‑making and financial acumen (forecasts, budgets, risk‑adjusted valuations).
Preferred qualifications
- PhD in life sciences or MD with translational/clinical insight in Cell Therapy.
- Deep knowledge of end‑to‑end pharmaceutical R&D and Cell Therapy specifics: clinical trial design for cellular products, CMC (process development, analytics, comparability), global regulatory dynamics (e.g., expedited pathways, RMAT), and global pricing/reimbursement for advanced therapies.
- Experience building or leading program management functions, including standards, playbooks, and analytics for complex modalities.
- Global leadership across partners and geographies; experience with external development/CMC partners and commercialization of advanced therapies.
Success measures
- Delivery of Cell Therapy scorecard targets (milestones, cycle‑time, PoS uplifts, IND/BLA readiness, launch readiness, CMC/clinical interlock quality).
- Decision quality and pace at governance; clarity of trade‑offs and capital allocation recommendations.
- Talent health and succession for critical roles; engagement and retention of specialist GPMs.
- Cross‑functional satisfaction and external credibility with regulators and partners.
Reporting and governance interfaces
- Reports to SVP, GPPM; member of the GPPM Leadership Team.
- Regular participation at Disease/Tumour Councils, TALT, ESPC, LSPC, and other enterprise decision forums.
- Directly leads the GPPM Cell Therapy unit and embeds GPMs within GPTs across hematology, oncology, biopharma, and rare disease as required.
Pay Transparency
The annual base pay for this position ranges from $251,610 to $377,441. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. 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), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales 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 pay (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
07-may-2026
Closing Date
21-may-2026
Our 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.