Clinical Operations Planning Director

Company: AstraZeneca
Location: Durham
Posted on: January 4, 2026

Job Description:

As a Clinical Operations Planning Director, you will work in the BioPharmaceutical R&D organization. The span of responsibilities is broad and may support one or several products depending on their size and complexity. The products supported may include studies in all phases of drug development. In this role you will be accountable for working with program/study leaders and site management and monitoring (SMM) colleagues to embed the use of AZ operational planning systems and develop streamlined cross-functional planning processes. You will be providing one-to-one support to program/study leaders as needed to ensure adoption and ways of working integration, along with providing the teams with technical support to resolve issues and continuously improve the systems. As you gain authority in AZ planning functionality and systems, you will promote the tools and associated reports. You will encourage program and study leaders, functions, and collaborators to use them. Responsibilities Embed the use of AZ study planning systems via support for program and study teams as needed. Mentor program/study leaders in the use of planning functionality, facilitating timeline discussions, and demonstrating the impact of good operational planning on stakeholders and other functions. Work with the technical teams and Study Planning Director on problem-solving and issue resolution. Lead development/revision of planning processes, driving consistency and standardization, and embedding portfolio perspective where appropriate. Acquire feedback from program/study leaders on the templates/systems and reports, and work with collaborators to update them as needed for continuous improvement. Maintain and update Degreed and instructor-led training. Liaise with stakeholders to champion the use of planning data through the use of reports and dashboards. Collaborate with and support clinical delivery planning functions to improve timeline visibility and collaboration, e.g. SMM, Supply Chain, GCS, Regulatory, Data Management. Prepare and present communications to promote AZ planning systems, ways of working and use of reports. Coach planning champions and SMEs to help raise awareness and embed good ways of working. Work with Data Governance to enable creation and management of data quality reporting. Ensure maintenance of the operational planning SPOL sites as needed. Input to cross-functional or enterprise-level transformation projects as they relate to operational planning. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field e.g., life sciences, business or related subject area with 7 plus years of relevant experience. Proven experience in clinical study leadership within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry. Experience in using planning functionality e.g. MS Project or similar planning tool. Excellent communication, collaboration and project management skills. Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams. Ability to adapt to a fast-paced and dynamic work environment. Knowledge of AZ study management and stakeholders. When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. Thats why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesnt mean were not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. At AstraZeneca, we are driven by a passion for innovation in rare disease biopharma. Our dedication to transparency, objectivity, and ethics allows us to push scientific boundaries and translate complex biology into transformative medicines. With our global reach and resources, we are uniquely positioned to address unmet needs in rare diseases. Join us in our mission to help people live their best lives by exploring new ideas in an encouraging environment that values diversity, innovation, and connection. Ready to make a difference? Apply now to join our team! Date Posted 18-Dec-2025 Closing Date 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.

Keywords: AstraZeneca, Cary , Clinical Operations Planning Director, Science, Research & Development , Durham, North Carolina