Associate Director, Experimental Oncology

Oncology is a core therapy area and growth platform at AstraZeneca and our vision is to deliver life-changing medicines that improve outcomes for patients most in need.
Within Oncology Translational Medicine (TM), Experimental Oncology supports academic collaborations and external sponsored research that further our understanding of the mechanism of actions of treatments and the mechanisms underlying the development of resistance through biomarker analyses on human biological samples (HBS).

The Associate Director, Experimental Oncology Operations Lead will support Experimental Oncology studies through set-up and oversight of biomarker sample logistics, testing of clinical samples, and overall project management. As a biomarker operations expert they will advise on testing specific biomarker types, deliver process efficiencies, and influence project team members and stakeholders. They may matrix manage a small team.

The role holder will work closely with the Translational Medicine Lead, External R&D lead, Oncology Data Science, internal and external lab functions and external academic collaborators to define and execute the biomarker plans and delivery of high-quality biomarker data. This role will also be responsible for setting, managing, communicating and adhering to budget and timeline with unput from the project team.

The role holder is accountable for ensuring that all activities are delivered, demonstrating behaviors and values aligned to AstraZeneca Code of Conduct and supporting policies, standards and procedures, including compliant management of Human Biological Samples, budget, safety, health and environment.

**Typical Accountabilities**
- Set up and oversee biomarker testing work packages for experimental oncology studies, aligning with the Translational Medicine Lead, and working closely the External R&D and other supporting functions.
- Work effectively with internal labs and other functions such as Third-Party Lab Management to ensure, fit-for purpose laboratory testing, compliant with clinical sample testing guidelines.
- Manage the budget, timeline and relationships to successfully deliver biomarker results on time and on budget.
- Provide input in the collaboration agreement and other relevant documentation.
- During set-up, provide timely information on sample requirements and on sample logistics.
- Enable delivery of the right samples from the right patients to the laboratory at the right time.
- Coordinate sample shipments and analysis following AZ HBS Compliance & Governance processes for confirmation of consent and authorisation for use.
- Reconcile shipments by identifying and resolving discrepancies in sample information between AZ, biobank and academic collaborator sites.
- Lead the creation and maintenance of relevant study documents such as a lab manual.
- In collaboration with the Translational Medicine Lead and Oncology Data Science, ensure relevant sample meta-data are obtained from external collaborators and that data transfer requirements are defined.
- Oversee the delivery of biomarker testing: coordinating the biomarker analysis by testing labs, ensuring the frequency and content of data outputs are delivered as agreed.
- Develop good relations with internal and external stakeholders, maintaining timely and clear communications, and understanding appropriate routes for matters requiring escalation.
- Train and mentor new team members in delivery of biomarker testing within own area of expertise
- Matrix manage one or more team members
- Monitor and ensure compliance with all AstraZeneca Policies and Standards, and local law/regulation, and address instances of non-compliance.

**Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience**
- Bachelor's degree required, with at least 4 years of relevant experience in the biopharmaceutical industry.
- Excellent knowledge of scientific literature with deep understanding in relevant areas (e.g. diagnostics, cancer biomarkers, genomics, oncology therapeutics).
- Knowledge of clinical testing procedures and applicable laboratory testing regulations
- Extensive experience of delivering clinical biomarker testing.
- Must be meticulous and highly organised, with a keen eye for detail and accuracy in literacy and numeracy, to support preparation and review of documentation and spreadsheets.
- Hands-on experience managing HBS in a biorepository and/or biospecimen department or on clinical trials.
- Experience working with academic partners and laboratories
- Experience of working with partners to drive timely and successful outcomes, through effectively working across internal and external boundaries.
- Experience of communicating with stakeholders for study updates, reporting progress through oral presentations and written reports.

**Skills & Capabilities**
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to act as an ambassador for TM/AZ internally and externally.
- Ability to interact successfully with multiple customers across functional bounda