Director, Development and Operations, Viral Vector New Modality

AstraZeneca is looking for a highly motivated,experiencedand strategic Director, DevelopmentandOperationstojoinour Viral VectorNew Modality(VVNM)group.This rolewill build and lead a high-performing function that accelerates AstraZeneca’s emergingCell Therapymodalities portfolio. This roleis responsible forestablishingand operatingstate-of-the-artVVNM laboratories, deliveringnon GMPvector materials and core technical services, and partnering across CMC programs to ensure strategic alignment and execution from discovery through clinical and commercial stages. The ideal candidate combines deep viral vectorexpertisewith operational excellenceandcross-functional leadership.This position is based in Gaithersburg, MD.

Key Responsibilities

• VVNM Lab Build & Operations: Leadend to endlab setup and renovation; define facility and workflow requirements; oversee equipmentselection, procurement, installation, qualification (IQ/OQ), and preventive maintenance. Establish biosafety/EHS programs for VVNM activities, implement scheduling and capacity management, andoptimize samplelogistics (chain of custody, inventory,cold chain, and data capture).

• Non GMPCore/Technical Services: Stand up and manage a core service supplying non GMPviral vector materials (research and tox grades) for internal programs. Define production platforms, scale ranges, and SLAs; drive basic analytical support for rapid PD iterations. Ensure robust documentation, release criteria, and traceability aligned with internal quality standards.

• CMC Program Management Partnership: Serve as the Process Development representative across research, IND-enabling, clinical, and commercial phases. Coordinatecross functionaldevelopment activities to ensure strategic CMC alignment, risk management, and efficient execution. Contribute to CMC strategy, timelines, budget planning, and decision forums; enable seamless tech transfer between internal labs and external partners/CDMOs.

• People & Capability Building: Recruit, develop, and lead a multidisciplinary team with a culture of safety, scientific rigor, and continuous improvement. Establish training, competency matrices, and performance management.

• Quality, Compliance & Governance: Implementfit for purposequality systems fornon GMPoperations; define documentation standards. Maintain audit readiness and alignment with biosafety/EHS regulations and corporate policies.

• Operational Excellence & Digital: Define KPIs for throughput, cycle time, and cost. Introduce Lean practices, visual management, and digital tools for scheduling, inventory, sample tracking, and data integrity.

• External Interface: Support vendor qualification and management for critical equipment, consumables, and CDMOs; contribute to make/buy analyses and strategic sourcing decisions.

Qualifications

• Education: Advanced degree (PhD or MS) in Biochemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Virology, Molecular Biology, or relatedfields.

• Experience: 10+ years in biopharmaceutical development/manufacturing with viral vectorsand/or cell therapy, includinghands on process development and lab operations; 5+ years leading teams andcross functionalprograms.

• Technical Expertise: Strong knowledge of upstream and downstream viral vector unit operations and analytical methods.

• Safety & Compliance:Demonstratedleadership in biosafety for viral vectors, EHS policies, andfit for purposequality frameworks fornon GMPoperations; familiarity with GMP principles and tech transfer to GMP settings.

• Program Leadership: Proventrack recordpartnering with CMC, Regulatory, QA, and Clinical Supply to driveend to enddevelopment, risk management, and milestone delivery.

• Operational Skills: Experience in lab buildouts, equipment qualification, scheduling, capacity planning, andestablishingservice SLAs;proficiencywith digital lab systems, inventory management, and data integrity practices.

• Soft Skills: Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and influence without authority; ability tooperatein afast paced, evolving environment and make pragmatic,data drivendecisions.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $172,672.00 - $259,008.00. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program. Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.