Director, Alliance Management (Alliance Lead)
AstraZeneca
Barcelona, Catalunya, España
Contract
Competitive
OfficeDirector
Location: Barcelona - Spain (3 days working from the office and 2 days working from home)
Introduction to the role
TheAlliance Management(AM)group sits withinBioPharma ClinicalOperations and is accountable for setting the sourcingstrategy acrossR&D and managingadherence toit.Theyensure our suppliers deliver to the needs of the organisations;and developstrong, beneficial partnerships with key suppliers.
The role of theAlliance ManagementDirectoris to act as theAllianceLeadforone or moresupplier(s)withinoutsourcing model(s) / service line(s).They willbe responsible forensuring thesupplier(s)within themodel(s) aremeeting theoperationalneeds of the customers;ensuring alliance effectiveness,appropriate communications,ensuringthat selected partners deliver to contract;andthatstrong relationshipswith theexternalsuppliersare created andmaintained.
Typical Accountabilities
Supplier / Model Governance
Accountable for the alliance management of one or more supplier(s)within or across model(s) / service line(s)
Proactivelyidentifiesand manages risks at the supplier / model/service linelevel
Serves as point of contact for issue escalationtoAMfor their assigned supplier (s),and key inensuring solutions areidentifiedin collaboration with the business stakeholders. Facilitates resolution ofanyoperational issuesthatimpact delivery
Leads operational governance of the supplier(s) / model(s)/ service line(s)
In collaboration with theAM GroupLead,contributes toexecutive level governance meetings;and contributes to or leadsmodel level governance and supplier council forums,asrequired
Actsas auditSponsor and/or audit co-ordinator for AZ ledsupplierauditsas applicable
Supplier / Model Quality and Performance
WiththeAM GroupLead ensures definition ofappropriate Metricsand SLAsfor thesupplierwithin the MSA
Monitors quality and performance of service deliverables in alignment with theMSA
Ensure that selectedsuppliersdeliver to contract and that strong relationships with the external suppliers and internal customers are created and maintained
Ensures effective visibility of supplier performance to relevant stakeholders
Ensures ongoing assessmentand integrationofLessonsLearnedfor suppliers / models/service lines
Seeksopportunitiesto drive efficiencies and continuous improvement within supplierand model/service lines
Study Team Support
Ensures understanding of roles and responsibilities acrossdelivery teams for assigned delivery model(s) / service line(s)
Works withAMProcess Integration Lead, internal subject matterexpertsand counterparts in supplier organisations to ensure theeffective use andmaintenance of interface processes / ways of working (e.g.AllianceHandbooks)
Stakeholder Engagement
Fosters development of a collaborative, organizational culture;and ensures successful relationships by building trust, demonstratingproactive partnershipmanagement,and holding internal and external stakeholdersto account
Role models partnering behaviours and expected ways of working
Portfolio / Capacity Management
Monitors capacity within thesupplier andmodel /service lineto support the portfolio
Alliance Management Development
Mayhaveresponsibility for line managementor coachingof junior members of the team
Serves as a delegate for theAM Group Leadforspecific tasks or activities, as necessary
May support or lead key strategic initiatives within AM and contribute to initiatives outside ofAM
Education, Qualifications,Skillsand Experience
Essential
University degree in related discipline, or equivalent
Strongexperience from within the pharmaceutical industry or clinical research organization
Detailedknowledge of clinical and pharmaceutical drug development process at various phases of development
Experienceofworkingsuccessfullywith external partners/ managing relationships
Experience of directing alliance governance frameworks and processes (inclperformance metrics)
Ability to network and collaborate with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders(inclsenior stakeholders)
Strong leadership and influencing skills, especially without authority
Strong collaboration skills across global and functional boundaries
Strategic mindset and innovative thinker with affinity toward experimentation andappropriate risktaking
Excellentcommunicationskills, written and verbal
Excellentconflict resolution,mediationandnegotiationskills
Strong project management skills
Able to see the full picture and understand impact of actions
Ability to workwith agilitytosolve problems that involve many decision makers, and develop multiple options/recommendations
Excellent collaboration skillsrequiredto work across global and functional boundaries
Desirable
Experience of partnerselectionand qualification
Proven ability to deal with complex situations holistically
Technical understanding ofservice deliverablesandsubject matterexpertise(e.g. study management, data management,analysisand reporting)
Knowledge of existing AstraZeneca external suppliers & models
Knowledge of AstraZeneca policies,proceduresand guidelines
Date Posted
23-jun-2026Closing Date
06-jul-2026AstraZeneca 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.