Job Description
Leads AstraZeneca’s Alliance Management activities fCPSS outsourcing in China, establishing managing a locally enabled, globally aligned model fCRO partnerships.
Acts as the single point of coordination fall outsourced toxicology, bioanalytical, emerging modality work across China, ensuring delivery against quality, timelines, cost, compliance expectations.
Builds develops strategic operational relationships with China-based CROs, academic institutions, innovation partners, translating global AstraZeneca standards locally effective practices while maintaining the highest standards of ethics, regulatory compliance, scientific integrity.
Operates at the interface of global CPSS strategy China execution, strengthening vendcapabilities, enabling innovation, supporting AstraZeneca’s long-term externalisation “China as an innovation engine” ambitions.
Works independently with limited supervision, confidently navigating ambiguous, evolving, to be defined processes proactively shaping practical ways of working to deliver outcomes.
Typical Accountabilities
• Acts as the single point of contact fall CPSS CRO partnerships in China across Safety Sciences and Bioanalysis
• Establishes maintains culturally aligned, high-performing partnerships with CROs, embedding AZ standards fquality, delivery, cost, sustainability, ethics
• Leads vendperformance management including scorecards, KPIs, issue tracking, CAPA implementation
• Conducts regular business reviews with vendleadership to assess performance align on strategic priorities
• Builds strong relationships across CRO organisations from operational teams to executive leadership
• Leads onboarding integration of new China CRO partners, particularly those new to AstraZeneca
• Conducts due diligence site assessments in partnership with Quality Global Animal Research Assurance (GARA)
• Drives capability development plans to support progression from non-GLP to GLP-ready operations
• Supports contracting strategy, collaborating with Procurement Legal to align MSAs, SOWs, commercial models
• Oversees specialised partnerships for radioconjugate complex modalities, ensuring compliance with safety, regulatory, operational requirements
• Coordinates with global technical teams to align on standards, risk assessments, quality expectations
• Provides hands-on operational support foutsourced studies, including start-up coordination, vendtransitions, issue resolution
• Proactively identifies resolves risks across scientific, operational, quality, compliance domains
• Drives root cause analysis implementation of sustainable corrective actions
• Establishes governance frameworks including performance metrics, business review cadence, escalation pathways
• Leads risk management activities (TPRM, TIA, PIA) ensures full compliance with AZ policies China regulations
• Maintains audit readiness alignment with global quality systems animal welfare standards
• Maintains strong connectivity with global Alliance Management through consistent communication, shared tools, and standardised processes
• Translates global standards locally effective practices considering regulatory, cultural, operational differences
• Represents China perspective in global CPSS strategy discussions, providing insights on market trends vendcapabilities
• Supports innovation through collaboration with China-based academic institutions, start-ups, technology partners
• Identifies emerging capabilities within the China ecosystem aligned to CPSS priorities, including AI new methodologies
• Contributes to long-term vendstrategy partnership development in China
• Influences across a complex stakeholder landscape including CPSS functions, R&D China, Procurement, Legal, Quality, Privacy, GARA
• Communicates complex scientific business information clearly across languages (Mandarin English) and organisational levels
Education, Qualifications, Skills Experience
Essential
• Experience managing CRO partnerships in pharmaceutical R&D, particularly in toxicology and/bioanalytical studies
• Strong understanding of CRO operating models, study execution, quality systems, regulatory requirements
• Demonstrated ability to manage vendors improve performance across quality, timelines, cost
• Experience working in China in cross-cultural/global environments
• Strong scientific judgement to evaluate study designs, data quality, vendcapabilities
• Business acumen to assess performance, negotiate agreements, drive value creation
• Proven risk management problem-solving capabilities in complex environments
• Strong project coordination skills across multiple stakeholders vendors
• Fluency in Mandarin English (written verbal)
• Excellent stakeholder management influencing skills across functions geographies
• Ability to operate effectively without formal authority in a matrix organisation
• Strong cross-cultural communication relationship building capability
• Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to build new processes ways of working
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgement, make progress in ambiguous evolving process environments
• High integrity commitment to compliance, quality, ethical standards
• Adaptability resilience in dynamic evolving environments
Desirable
• Advanced degree (MS, PhD) in life sciences, pharmacology, toxicology, related field
• Experience with radioconjugate studies other specialised modalities requiring enhanced safety oversight
• Knowledge of China regulatory landscape (NMPA) animal welfare standards
• Experience supporting academic collaborations start-up partnerships
• Track record onboarding new CRO partnerships end-to-end
• Familiarity with GLP regulations quality system requirements
• Exposure to digital tools automation in vendmanagement
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