Head of Portfolio Management R&I - GPPM

Head of Portfolio Management, R&I - GPPM

This role can be based out of Gaithersburg, Boston (USA) or Cambridge (UK)

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious disease. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.

As a global company in high growth, you will be involved in opportunities across the entire business. And, as we strive to meet our patients’ needs, the priorities will sometimes fluctuate. But it means we are comfortable with change and responding to shifting needs, whilst being mindful of the impact on other projects and roadmaps across the business.

Global Portfolio and Project Management (GPPM) is a global organization of about 250 employees that powers the progression of our pipeline, company strategy and annual business cycle. The focus of the group includes enterprise-wide Portfolio Management, Strategic Planning, R&D Pipeline Project Management, Pipeline Governance (ESPC/LSPC), Data Analytics & Decision Support, Portfolio Systems and Project Information Management. GPPM touches all aspects of project delivery and decision-making across the entire AZ pipeline.

About the Job Role

As the Head of Portfolio Management for the Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM) TA you will work collaboratively with the Therapeutic Area Leadership team (TALT) to develop and implement the TA Strategy for the CVRM TA team within BioPharma. You will proactively drive strategic engagement with senior leaders across R&D and Commercial to ensure an end-to-end approach from research through early and late-stage development in delivering a compelling and differentiated strategy for our CVRM portfolio, which covers ~50 projects across 6 core areas of focus.

Further you will work to ensure that GPPM delivery - including project delivery, prioritization, scorecard, governance and reporting - are aligned to the SET-endorsed CVRM strategy. You will also report to the VP of GPPM for the BioPharmaceuticals portfolio and will be a member of the GPPM BioPharma LT, ensuring that delivery across GPPM – including portfolio, project management, analytics, systems and governance, support our mission to accelerate and efficiently deliver the AZ portfolio.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to engage and work with key R&D and in line brand teams within the CVRM TA to ensure strategic alignment with AZ portfolio and help ensure readiness for governance reviews and decisions. Excellent cross functional leadership experience and strong influencing skills, as well as an extensive knowledge of drug development and commercialisation is key.

You must be able to represent strategic portfolio thinking across early, late, and in-market assets. Demonstrably strong skills in the areas of strategic thinking, decision making, communication, enterprise leadership, problem solving, influencing and collaboration across both R&D and commercial are crucial. You will be required to understand and apply a broad range of decision making and data analytics tools, plus look at opportunities to optimise ways of working in alignment with the broader enterprise.

Key responsibilities

• Partners with the cross-functional Therapeutic Area Leadership Team (TALT) to drive development of the overall CVRM strategy for AstraZeneca. Ensures the portfolio is prioritized and scenarios around prioritization, risk and value are considered.

• Drives development of the strategic components that underpin the TA strategy. This includes evolution of disease or technology specific strategies unique to the TA, new LCM opportunities development, BD opportunity development and support

• Develops deep understanding of key issues within the TA and ensures the CVRM project and portfolio team effectively uses decision making tools and portfolio assessment/analytics to clarify complex project, product & portfolio issues.

• Works directly with GPT and commercial brand teams as needed to enhance strategic plans and support portfolio perspective, understanding governance expectations, technical/risk reviews, helping teams to have successful interactions with TALT and corporate governance.

• Uses TA and wider enterprise knowledge to help drive quality decision making at the TALT. Actively participates during TALT investment decisions.

• Understands and manages portfolio management systems and tools to enable CVRM to optimize decision making both at the project and portfolio level.

• Responsible for inputs/outputs for regular portfolio reviews at the TA/Senior Executive Team level. Accountable for portfolio metrics/performance reporting and driving quality of the portfolio information/data in conjunction with project leaders.

• Ensures both risk and opportunities are regularly assessed.

Essential Criteria

• A BA/BSc degree or equivalent

• Significant experience (8+ years) in healthcare consulting, banking or other strategic roles in biopharma industry

• A passion for science – interest in understanding how current scientific advancements will impact patient care in 10-15 years

• Strong strategic thinking, decision making, and problem solving

• Enterprise leadership skills, including demonstrable ability to influence without authority across a matrixed, global environment

• Excellent analytical, organisational and communication skills (written and verbal)

• Proven teamwork ability, routinely facilitating the exchange of ideas

• Demonstrated ability to bring ideas to action and be accountable as required

• Must be able to operate independently with minimal supervision

Desirable criteria

• An advanced degree (MBA or PhD)

• Pipeline experience and global experience

• Scientific background

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. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world!

At AstraZeneca, you will be supported by individuals who possess outstanding knowledge and work in close partnership with one another. Agile and collaborative, we work cross-functionally to succeed as one. This is a place of great passion and pride where we build successful, inclusive, and diverse teams that collaborate across the enterprise and beyond. We strive for better by encouraging new ideas and embracing failure as part of our innovation process. Our culture of recognition and reward means we feel supported and empowered to take initiative. With all the tools you need to succeed, including constructive coaching, there’s no better place to take ownership of your career.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now!

Date Posted

24-Apr-2026

Closing Date

23-Apr-2026

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.