Why choose AstraZeneca Spain?

AstraZeneca Spain is a rising force in our global business. With headquarters in Madrid and our global hub in Barcelona, we’ve become an important international centre of excellence in the fight against critical disease. Boasting vibrant universities and business schools, the Barcelona ecosystem is a place where scientists can thrive. We attract a diverse workforce from across the globe, shining a beacon for innovation in a country that’s committed to clinical development.

We invite you to bring your talents to Barcelona where our respiratory medicine R&D and Global Marketing centre offers opportunities in R&D, IT, Commercial and HR. Or join us in Madrid and shape our growth in our BUs (Respiratory, Oncology & CVRM ), and a range of Corporate functions. Additionally, you can find sales roles throughout the country. Together, we’re contributing to a world-leading pipeline of therapeutics and delivering life-changing medicines to patients.

Who do we look for?

Calling all tech innovators, ownership takers, challenge seekers and proactive collaborators. At AstraZeneca Spain, breakthroughs born in the lab become transformative medicine for the world's most complex diseases. Alongside technical expertise, colleagues have the resilience, energy and collaborative mindset to change lanes, work with different teams and start projects from scratch.

Here, diverse minds and bold disruptors can meaningfully impact the future of healthcare using cutting-edge technology. Whether you join us in Madrid or Barcelona, you can make a tangible impact within a global biopharmaceutical company that invests in your future. Join a talented global team that's powering AstraZeneca to better serve patients every day.

Diverse collaborators

This is a speak-up culture that values collaboration. You’ll proactively bring your unique perspectives, experiences and skills to the table and seek the same from others. With our international team composition and the need for fast-paced collaboration, you’ll always be building new connections with colleagues.

Cutting-edge innovators

When you join us, you’ll be part of a team that embraces digital technology and data to transform the way we work and the work we do. Every day, you’ll help make history, empowered to ignite your creativity and build something enduring.

Resilient trailblazers

Here, the answers aren’t always available. So, you’ll need to bring a fearless, self-starter mindset to navigate uncharted territories. You’ll harness your ceaseless energy to discover and make the necessary connections with colleagues to shape the future and achieve maximum impact.

Agile movers

Seize ownership and excel with autonomy to enjoy the constant rush of ground-breaking discovery. Your ability to anticipate sudden shifts and adapt swiftly will prove critical as you make your mark in an environment that rewards initiative and resilience.

Location: Barcelona - Spain (3 days working from the office and 2 days working from home)

Introduction to the role

The Alliance Management (AM) group sits within BioPharma Clinical Operations and is accountable for setting the sourcing strategy across R&D and managing adherence to it. They ensure our suppliers deliver to the needs of the organisations; and develop strong, beneficial partnerships with key suppliers.

The role of the Alliance Management Director is to act as the Alliance Lead for one or more supplier(s) within outsourcing model(s) / service line(s). They will be responsible for ensuring the supplier(s) within the model(s) are meeting the operational needs of the customers; ensuring alliance effectiveness, appropriate communications, ensuring that selected partners deliver to contract; and that strong relationships with the external suppliers are created and maintained.

Typical Accountabilities

Supplier / Model Governance

• Accountable for the alliance management of one or more supplier(s) within or across model(s) / service line(s)

• Proactively identifies and manages risks at the supplier / model/service line level

• Serves as point of contact for issue escalation to AM for their assigned supplier (s), and key in ensuring solutions are identified in collaboration with the business stakeholders. Facilitates resolution of any operational issues that impact delivery

• Leads operational governance of the supplier(s) / model(s) / service line(s)

• In collaboration with the AM Group Lead, contributes to executive level governance meetings; and contributes to or leads model level governance and supplier council forums, as required

• Acts as audit Sponsor and/or audit co-ordinator for AZ led supplier audits as applicable

Supplier / Model Quality and Performance

• With the AM Group Lead ensures definition of appropriate Metrics and SLAs for the supplier within the MSA

• Monitors quality and performance of service deliverables in alignment with the MSA

• Ensure that selected suppliers deliver to contract and that strong relationships with the external suppliers and internal customers are created and maintained

• Ensures effective visibility of supplier performance to relevant stakeholders

• Ensures ongoing assessment and integration of Lessons Learned for suppliers / models/service lines

• Seeks opportunities to drive efficiencies and continuous improvement within supplier and model/service lines

Study Team Support

• Ensures understanding of roles and responsibilities across delivery teams for assigned delivery model(s) / service line(s)

• Works with AM Process Integration Lead, internal subject matter experts and counterparts in supplier organisations to ensure the effective use and maintenance of interface processes / ways of working (e.g. Alliance Handbooks)

Stakeholder Engagement

• Fosters development of a collaborative, organizational culture; and ensures successful relationships by building trust, demonstrating proactive partnership management, and holding internal and external stakeholders to account

• Role models partnering behaviours and expected ways of working

Portfolio / Capacity Management

• Monitors capacity within the supplier and model / service line to support the portfolio

Alliance Management Development

• May have responsibility for line management or coaching of junior members of the team

• Serves as a delegate for the AM Group Lead for specific tasks or activities, as necessary

• May support or lead key strategic initiatives within AM and contribute to initiatives outside of AM

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Essential

• University degree in related discipline, or equivalent

• Strong experience from within the pharmaceutical industry or clinical research organization

• Detailed knowledge of clinical and pharmaceutical drug development process at various phases of development

• Experience of working successfully with external partners / managing relationships

• Experience of directing alliance governance frameworks and processes (incl performance metrics)

• Ability to network and collaborate with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders (incl senior stakeholders)

• Strong leadership and influencing skills, especially without authority

• Strong collaboration skills across global and functional boundaries

• Strategic mindset and innovative thinker with affinity toward experimentation and appropriate risk taking

• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal

• Excellent conflict resolution, mediation and negotiation skills

• Strong project management skills

• Able to see the full picture and understand impact of actions

• Ability to work with agility to solve problems that involve many decision makers, and develop multiple options/recommendations

• Excellent collaboration skills required to work across global and functional boundaries

Desirable

• Experience of partner selection and qualification

• Proven ability to deal with complex situations holistically

• Technical understanding of service deliverables and subject matter expertise (e.g. study management, data management, analysis and reporting)

• Knowledge of existing AstraZeneca external suppliers & models

• Knowledge of AstraZeneca policies, procedures and guidelines

Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.