Senior Manager – Publications Delivery (Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease Unit)

Introduction to role:

The Publications Delivery Lead (Senior Manager) willestablishand lead the Alexion Publications Delivery team overseeing a multi-tier organization of publication writers graphic designersInVision specialists andeditors. This role blends people leadership and operations management with accountability for end-to-end delivery excellence in scientific publications operational rigor stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate is a seasoned publications professional with substantial experience in global capabilitycentres(GCCs) or service agencies and a demonstrated record of building teams from the ground up defining KPIs implementing SOPs and driving quality and metrics at scale.

Key Responsibilities:

Team Leadership and People Management

• Teambuild-out:Establishand scale a high-performing publication delivery team; define roles levels and career pathways.

• Coaching and mentorship:Provideongoing guidance feedback and development plans for Publication Writers Graphic designersand Editors

• Performance management:Set clear goals conduct regular check-ins and annual reviews manage underperformance and recognize high performance.

• Workforce planning:Forecast demand plan capacity and manage hiring onboarding and succession.

Operations Management and Delivery Excellence

• End-to-end delivery:Oversee planning drafting review cycles approvals and finalization of publications to meet timelines and quality standards.

• Ways of working and SOPs:Design implement andmaintainSOPs RACI matrices workflows and operating models across therapy areas and publication types.

• Process optimization:Identifybottlenecks drive continuous improvement (e.g. Lean Kaizen) and standardize best practices across teams.

• KPI/metrics management:Define and track SLAs KPIs and OKRs (e.g. on-time delivery first-time-right quality cycle-time rework rates stakeholder satisfaction).

• Quality management:Implement robust QA/QC processes editorial standards checklists and audit readiness; ensure compliance with GPP and internal policies.

• Risk and issue management:ProactivelyidentifyrisksmaintainRAID logs and drivetimelymitigations and escalations.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Partnerships:Build strong transparentrelationships with Alexion Publication teams. and strong relationships withexternal vendors/agency partners.

• Intake and prioritization:Run structured request intake triage resourcing and scheduling to balance portfolio priorities and work volume.

• Governance:Lead cadence meetings (stand-ups sprint reviews monthly governance calls QBR) publish dashboards and present performance to leadership.

Resource and Vendor Management

• Resourcing:Allocate work across internal teams and approved vendors; manage flexible capacity models.

• Vendor oversight:Define scopes performance metrics and quality gates for agencies; ensure cost-effectiveness and compliance.

• Budget and productivity:Track effortutilization and unit costs; drive productivity improvements and ROI. Support invoicing PORealizationand recharge.

Publication Delivery Domain Responsibilities

• Provide structured high-impact review mentoring and coaching to Expert Publication Writers and Senior PublicationWriters.Serve as the trusted go-to advisor for publication-related queries and support the team in resolvingconflictingauthorcommentsandchanging stakeholder requirementsthrough clear guidance facilitation and stakeholder alignment.

• Align with GPP (Good Publication Practice) ICMJE CONSORT/PRISMA where applicable medical-legal-regulatory standards and internal policies.Should be aware of the guidelines in Equator Network and should be an advocate to implement then as needed.

Tools Technology and Documentation

• Systems:Champion publication management tools (e.g. Pub planning platforms content repositories reference managers) collaboration suites and workflow trackers.

• Templates and playbooks:Create andmaintaintemplates checklists SOPs and training materials to ensure consistency and scalability.

• Artificial intelligence:Demonstratedunderstanding of AI tools in medical publications with a strong inclination to pilot implement and scale solutions that enhance efficiency quality and consistency.

• Reporting:Build automated dashboards and monthly business reviews; deliver actionable insights to stakeholders and leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Education:Advanced degree in life sciences pharmacy medicine or related field; PhD/MD/PharmD/MSc preferred.

• Experience:15 years in medical publications/medical writing including 5 years in people management and operations leadership.

• Proventrack record:Setting up new teams/functions inGCCsorservice agencies implementing SOPs KPIs and delivery governance.

• Domainexpertise: Strong knowledge of GPP ICMJE CONSORT/PRISMA ethical authorship data standards and journal/congress processes. ISMPPCMPPCertification is preferred.

• Operational excellence:Demonstratedability to run large-scale delivery with metrics QA and continuous improvement.

• Stakeholder management:Experience partnering with global cross-functional teams and external agencies;strong communicationand influence skills.

• Global experience:Working across time zones and cultures; experience in global capabilitycentresor offshore/nearshore models.

Core Competencies

• Leadership:Team building coaching and empowerment.

• Operational rigor: Process design SOPs KPIs and compliance.

• Scientific rigor:Data accuracy sound data interpretation correct comprehension and robust scientific understanding of rare diseases.

• Quality mindset:First time-right delivery audit readiness and continuous improvement.

• Strategic thinking:Aligning publication delivery with asset and portfolio goals.

• Communication:Clear concise and influential with senior stakeholders.

• Problem solving:Data-driven pragmatic and resilient under pressure.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing -person working gives us the platform we need to connect work at pace and challengeperceptions.Thatswhy we work on average a minimum of three days per week from the office. But thatdoesntmeanwerenot flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

At AstraZenecas Alexion divisionyoullfind a unique opportunity to grow and innovate within a rapidly expanding portfolio. Our entrepreneurial spirit fosters autonomy while our energizing culture encourages connections that lead tonew ideas. As part of our commercial teamyoullmeet the needs of under-served patients worldwide. With tailored development programs designed for skill enhancement and empathetic understanding of patient journeysyoullalign your growth with our mission. Supported by exceptional leaders and peersyoulldrive change with integrity in a culture celebrating diversity and innovation.

Ready to make a difference Apply now to join our team!