Cell Therapy Clinical Operations, Director Site Management and Monitoring

AstraZeneca is going through and exciting growing phase in Cell Therapy. In 2026, we are expanding our Clinical Operations footprint globally. As part of this growth an exciting opportunity has come up in Seoul.

The Director, CTCO Start Up Site Management and Monitoring (SMM) Cell Therapy is responsible for delivering the Cell Therapy clinical interventional studies in their region. In this role, you will lead and manage the resources assigned to the clinical trials. You will oversee the budgets and timelines and support implementation using local relevant local regulations and international GCP and GMP guidelines. As well, you will be responsible for the effective chain of custody between clinical sites, manufacturing, apheresis and back to patient care within time frames and quality standards As the Director, SSU you will be part of the Cell Therapy SMM Leadership Team and line manage a dedicated group(s) of staff. In addition, you will ensure clear communication to the Global Head SMM of any risk to study performance, feasibility assessment, enrolment and mitigation of risk to delivery of the programs.

Typical Accountabilities:

• Leadership of dedicated Cell Therapy group, building the team engagement, developing team style and behavior.

• Work across the multiple TA functions in AstraZeneca to ensure strong partnership and collaboration

• Partner across operations teams to ensure efficient patient outcomes through high quality standards of patient care with limited bottlenecks.

• Ensures adequate resources for the Cell Therapy studies assigned to the region.

• Ensures that the resources of the team(s) is adequate.

• Development and performance management of the team.

• Coaches the team members and all direct reports regularly, and plans/organizes coaching with external providers if needed.

• Contributes to high-quality feasibility work and delivery of established country enrolment projections.

• Oversees successful delivery of Cell Therapy SMM study delivery country and regional level targets to plan, with speed and quality (includes supporting the local implementation and optimization of AstraZeneca’s digital strategy)

• Delivers regional and country level budget to plan with agreed RBU targets

• Contributes to the quality improvement of the study processes and other procedures.

• Ensures all systems are continuously updated.

• Ensures completeness and timeliness to maintain sites as “Inspection Ready”.

• Assists Local Study Managers/teams in study feasibility, forecasting study timelines, resources, recruitment, and study materials

• Provides direction to LSM/teams on major study commitments including resolving any key issues identified.

• Supports SMM initiatives/activities as agreed with Cell Therapy SMM Global Head.

• Ensures collaboration with global Field Clinical Advisors as well as local Medical Affairs team.

• Ensures that the Cell Therapy study activities at country level align with local policies and code of ethics.

• With collaborations across Technology and AI teams, model behaviors of adoption and innovation.

• Build and maintains partnership with CRO and vendors delivering in CT studies in the region

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in related field, preferably in life science, or equivalent qualification

• Minimum 7 years of experience as a leader in Development Operations or other related fields.

• Strong technical and extensive clinical operations experience.

• Previous line management experience.

• Proven team building and people/organizational development skills.

• Excellent interpersonal skills. • Manage change with a positive approach for self, team and business. Sees change as an opportunity to improve performance and add value to business.

• Proven project management experience.

• Excellent organizational, analytical, influencing and negotiation skills building strong partnerships with sites to optimize patient outcomes

• Excellent presentation and communication skills, verbal and written.

• Excellent decision-making skills, team building skills also in cross-functional teams.

• Excellent resource management skills, good financial management skills.

• Excellent ability to have attention to details and combining with delegation and prioritization skills.

• Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English. Good ability to learn and to adapt to work with IT systems.

• Ability for national and international travel.

Desirable for the role

• Very good knowledge of the Clinical Study Process, Procedural Documents and international GMP-ICH-GCP guidelines.

• Past experience in CAR therapies

• Excellent knowledge of the Monitoring Process.

• Good understanding of the Study Drug Handling Process and the Data Management Process.

• Good knowledge of relevant local and international regulations.

• Good medical knowledge and ability to learn relevant AZ Therapeutic Areas.

• Ability to look for and champion more efficient and effective methods/processes of delivering quality clinical trials with reduced budget and in less time.

• Ability to work in an environment of remote collaborators.

• Integrity and high ethical standards.

• Good conflict management skills and ability to handle crisis.

• Good intercultural awareness.

• Excellent ability to work according to global standards.

Next steps? Apply now! We look forward to receiving your application before January 31st.

Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.