Director, Global Program Team Leader Cell Therapy

Overview

Director, Global Program Team Leader Cell Therapy. Join to apply for the Director, Global Program Team Leader Cell Therapy role at Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Note : This description reflects responsibilities and requirements for the role and preserves the original language, focusing on the cell therapy program leadership across global development and cross-functional teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning & Execution : Program ownership with final accountability for precise definitions of program goals, plans, decisions and deliverables to meet those goals.
• Own the Integrated Development Plan (IDP), ensuring alignment with corporate objectives, risk mitigation strategies, and investment priorities, including indication sequencing with the overall integrated regulatory, commercial, clinical and CMC strategy to support all indications under development.
• Translate program vision into operational and financial plans, ensuring alignment with Alexion’s rare disease strategy.
• Identify and resolve strategic and operational risks and dependencies, leveraging decision-quality frameworks.
• Drive scenario planning, indication prioritization, and lifecycle management strategies to maximize asset value.
• Program Leadership : Lead a cross-functional Global Program Team (GPT), ensuring strategic alignment across functional area leads (e.g., clinical, regulatory, CMC, commercial, medical, market access).
• Act as the CEO of the program, driving overall strategy from preclinical development through commercialization.
• Stakeholder Engagement : Partner closely with senior executives across Alexion and AstraZeneca, including R&D, Commercial, Regulatory, Technical Operations, and Business Development.
• Represent the program at governance boards (e.g., Development Review Committee, Portfolio Investment Board), securing endorsements for strategic decisions.
• Serve as the primary program ambassador internally and externally, including with investigators, advocacy groups, and partners.
• Matrix Team Leadership : Foster a high-performing, collaborative team culture that embraces Alexion’s mission and values.
• Provide clear direction, accountability, and support to functional area leaders within the GPT.
• Mentor and develop talent across the matrix team and contribute to building program leadership capabilities across the organization.
• External Innovation and Alliances : Collaborate with Business Development and external partners to evaluate and integrate innovative technologies, platforms, or pipeline opportunities.
• Actively participate in due diligence and alliance management activities, particularly related to advanced Cell Therapies.
• Ensure cross-Business Unit GPT alignment and communication.
• You will need to have : Cell Therapy development experience with a preference for an advanced life-science degree (MD, PhD or PharmD).
• Total leadership experience including line / project management, multidisciplinary program management experience, including leadership in more than one IND / IMPD, BLA / NDA / MAA, Advisory Committee or other PMDA / EMA / FDA meetings.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in drug development in pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, or biotechnology.
• Demonstrated experience leading the development of at least one development candidate with adherence to quality, excellence and efficiency.
• Demonstrated experience leading drug development projects and activities in a matrixed, global organization.
• Broad understanding of how to communicate and work with team members, scientists and external decision-makers worldwide.
• Thorough understanding of how to influence local and global regulatory, scientific and commercial environments.
• Ability to assimilate data, recognize key variables and analyze complex situations to substantiate strategic recommendations.
• Realistic expectations of the business, oneself and others.
• Ability to build alliances within the organization, locally / globally, and with corporate collaborators.
• Resilience to weather short-term setbacks for long-term advantages.
• Broad understanding of multidisciplinary functions contributing to effective drug development.
• Excellent understanding of interdependencies of CMC, Pharm / Tox, PK, Clinical, Regulatory, Marketing, Finance – and how to evaluate them strategically and balance time, cost and risk.
• Firm understanding of Regulatory Guidances / Internal SOPs / Project best-practice behaviors.

Work environment and mission : Alexion offers a collaborative culture that encourages innovation and a diverse environment where contributions are valued. You will be at the forefront of rare disease research with the potential to impact patients’ lives.

Application details

Ready to lead and inspire? Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career at Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease.

Date Posted 25-Sept-2025

Closing Date 08-Oct-2025

EEO Statement

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.

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