Associate Director, Data Provisioning Lead

Human Biological Samples (HBS) are fundamental to medical research in the discovery, development and implementation of new treatments and diagnostics. HBS are ethically sensitive materials, and the collection, handling and access to HBS are subject to strict regulations, principles and ethical guidelines.

This role owns and manages the HBS compliance data products for Informed Consent and associated processes.

The Data Provisioning Lead champions the development and continuous improvement of consent data for human biological samples, translating regulatory, ethical, and scientific requirements into high‑quality, scalable data products. Working across HBS, informed consent transformation, AZ BioBanks, Data Office, and IT, the role harmonizes data standards and architectures, manages product backlogs and dependencies, and promotes adoption to improve trial operations, biosample governance, and downstream analytics.

The role will either work individually, managing projects within the HBS compliance area, or contribute to the effective operation of the whole team through collaboration and engagement with peers and leading key projects and initiatives. The job holder applies data, business, regulatory and soft skills to lead system changes, governance and policy implementation for HBS data assets.

The role holder will have a detailed understanding of the role of clinical trials in the drug development process and how consent relates to the collection and use of human biological samples.

As a data product owner the role leads the implementation of a range of activities to protect and create value from HBS data assets within AZ Biosamples and create the data foundations for future AI opportunities They ensure the

data assets can be used with confidence to maximise value while legal, ethical and security aspects are safeguarded.

The role holder will need experience in HBS compliance processes, IT systems, data governance processes and have strong knowledge and experience of relevant Informed Consent andcompliance data alongside the business processes that consume the data.

Typical Accountabilities

• Working with key stakeholders in HBS compliance, informed consent transformation, AZ BioBanks, Data Office and IT the role supports the implementation of a strategy and operations for the associated compliance data products for HBS.

• Embrace AI technologies and champion innovative digital tools to enhance quality, speed, and productivity

• Own the HBS Compliance data products & associated systems roadmap and prioritise activities aligned with strategic goals and initiatives.

• Liaise across the enterprise and with other data product owners, ensuring the right R&D data products are aligned and used across AZ

• Ensure coordination between HBS data platforms, solution architecture, information architecture and data governance so that the final Data product meet business, technical and Regulatory requirements.

• Understand and clearly articulate the business value of the Biosamples compliance data products and howthey are used by multiple systems and functions across AZ (within and beyond Biosamples).

• Own, prioritise and manage the Data Product’s backlog to ensure all consuming systems and products are able to leverage data as needed. This will also include the timely reversal of technical debt.

• Identify and manage partnerships required to ensure innovative capabilities at the intersection of data science, technology and healthcare.

• Act as a Champion for an agile, iterative development process driven by design thinking, frequent end-user input, and constant insight generation from data. • Manage dependencies in and across releases to complete release phases and milestones. • Promote and govern the use of the Data Product across the organisation, ensuring that duplicate data flows are not set up and end users have appropriate training.

Essential

• Proven  experience of data processes.

• Degree(s) insciences, or equivalent. 3-5 years of proven experience in the pharmaceutical/medical/healthcare industry, consulting, technology, development and/or commercial planning, and global coordination roles

• Detailed understanding of the place of informed consent in the drug development process, and prior experience working with consent data from human clinical trials

• Familiarity with the key principles andprocesses of Data Management (Governance, Architecture, Modelling, Reference and Master Data, Integration, Storage, and Business Intelligence).

• Ability to take business requirements and translate these into technical requirements

• Ability to rapidly grasp concepts and to manage complexity by simplifying it for others and providing clear directions to delivery teams.

• Ability to solve problems that involve many decision-makers, and develop multiple options/recommendations 

• Networking skills, ability to interact widely and effectively both within the company (on both an interdepartmental and interdisciplinary basis) and externally

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to build strong relationships

• Experience in collaborating and sharing knowledge between teams

Desirable

• Practical experience working with large datasets and normalised database structures

• Experience with programmatic analysis and exploration of data (e.g. SQL, Python, R, etc.)

• Knowledge of Drug Development Processes and the diverse sources of information that support, inform and assist in healthcare/clinical research.

• Familiarity with the latest research and thinking and understanding of dynamics affecting the pharmaceutical industry and needs for transformation.

• Hands-on experience with AI products and awareness of the current state of the art as well as technical and operational challenges

• Agile product owner training and certification.

• Solid Project and/or Product management skills, including managing product backlogs, vendors, budgets, timelines and risks.

• Experience leading a development team and working in a global environment.

• Experience bringing innovation to bear on solving complex and multi-dimensional issues from an operational, technical, financial and human perspective.