Director of Project Management Office, Cell Therapy Technical Operations

About this role

At AstraZeneca's, we follow the science to explore and innovate. We are working towards treating, preventing,   modifying , and even curing some of the world's most sophisticated diseases. Here we have the potential to grow our pipeline and positively   impact   the lives of billions of patients around the world. We are committed to making a difference and have built our business around our passion for science. Now we are fusing data and technology with the latest scientific innovations to achieve the next wave of breakthroughs.  

Position Summary  

The   Director of   Project Management Office, Cell Therapy   Technical   Operations is a highly strategic leadership role responsible for   establishing , digitizing, and leading the Operations branch of the centralized Cell Therapy   Technical   Operations (CT T O) PMO. This leader will set up the PMO's ways of working across CT T O with the ultimate vision of building a PM-enabled, self-sufficient organization.  

Reporting into the CMC Portfolio Strategy Cell Therapy organization, this role will oversee high-value Technical and Operational Projects while simultaneously   establishing   the standard project management framework,   governance,   tools, and best practices to be   utilized   across all tiers of the   CTTO   projects portfolio .  

By   leveraging   artificial intelligence and digital automation aligned with AstraZeneca's 2030 ambition, this role will empower   technical   leaders to manage projects independently,   utilizing   dedicated PMO resources primarily for complex initiation and planning phases.   

This position is based in Gaithersburg, MD.  

Responsibilities  

• Strategic Project   Execution : Directly manage or oversee the execution of   complex,   highly cross-functional above-site Projects ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery .  

• Portfolio Visibility & Tracking : Develop, implement, and   maintain   a centralized, real-time portfolio dashboard capturing all active projects across the CT T O organization, ensuring full transparency of organizational demand, resources, and strategic alignment.  

• PMO Vision & Self-Sufficiency:   Design and embed standard project management ways of working across CT T O to foster a PM-enabled, self-sufficient organization. Empower functional Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and leaders to act as   independent Project Leads, requiring dedicated PMO support for critical lifecycle steps like project initiation and complex planning.  

• Digital Transformation & AI Integration:   Develop,   maintain , and continuously improve the PMO by   leveraging   cutting-edge   digital solutions and artificial intelligence in alignment with AstraZeneca's 2030 ambition. Partner directly with IT to design, test, and implement custom AI tools and automation strategies that streamline project management workflows.  

• Standardization & Best Practices:   Act as the authoritative voice for project management   methodology   within CT T O. Design, deploy, and govern standardized, highly automated tools (e.g., Project Charters, RAID logs, unified RAG dashboards) to ensure uniform, efficient ways of working across all project tiers.  

• Governance:   Partner with the CT T O Leadership Team acting as the Project Review Committee (PRC). Facilitate governance meetings to drive   data-backed , Go/No-Go decisions, manage capacity forecasting, prioritize resource allocation, and rapidly resolve escalated project risks.  

• Cross-Functional Community of Practice :   Foster a collaborative relationship with the internal CMC PM team to build a unified Community of Practice. Lead outward-facing networking by engaging with enterprise PM communities outside of CTDO, influencing broader AstraZeneca standards, and integrating industry-leading digital practices back into the organization .  

Supervisory Responsibilities  

• Team Leadership : Provides direct line management to a targeted team of Cell Therapy Project Managers and external contractors deployed for peak portfolio demand or specialized planning phases.  

• Talent Cultivation : Cultivates talent through coaching, professional development, and succession planning. Ensures the team builds the necessary matrix leadership skills, digital fluency, and strategic execution capabilities   required   to drive complex business   objectives .  

• Escalation Management : Leads formal   issue   escalation and resolution in partnership with the matrix team, sponsors, and the Project Review Committee (PRC).  

Essential Requirements:

• Education : Bachelor's degree in   a Life   Sciences, Engineering, or relevant technical field   required . Master's degree or MBA is highly preferred.  

• Experience : 10+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical, biotech, or Cell Therapy industry, with at least 8+ years specifically in project, program, or portfolio management.  

• Leadership : Proven experience managing direct reports and leading PMOs or shared-service project teams within a complex, highly matrixed environment.  

• Technical Acumen : Deep operational understanding of cell therapy supply chain, vein-to-vein   logistics , network capacity, and cGMP/regulatory requirements.  

• Methodologies & Tools : Advanced   proficiency   in portfolio management software (e.g., Smartsheet, MS Project , Agile ).   Active   PMP (Project Management Professional)   certification   is   required ,   with   Lean Six Sigma highly desired.  

• Communication & Influencing Skills:   Outstanding written, interpersonal, and executive-level presentation skills. Must   possess   the ability to distill complex operational data into clear, compelling narratives to effectively influence senior leadership, drive alignment, and foster collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups.  

• Change Management :   drive change management across organizational   levels, and   reset cultural expectations   regarding   project governance and resource   allocation.  

• Digital & A

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