Director, Cell Therapy Vein-to-Vein Operations
Gaithersburg, MD - USA
Job Summary
Introduction to role:
AtAstraZeneca Cell Therapy we are building the capabilities required to deliver complex personalized therapies through a highly coordinated patient-centered and digitally enabled operating model. As we evolve from traditional clinical logistics coordination toVein-to-Vein Operations we are shifting our focus towardpatient and order orchestration proactive journey management real-time visibility exception management and customer experience that will scale towards Commercial phase and AstraZenecas cell therapy ambition.
The Director leads the Vein-to-Vein Operations organizational capability governance framework readiness approach and performance model that enable the transition from reactive shipment support to proactive end-to-end orchestration and support Vein-to-Vein readiness for global expansion and commercial scale. This role partners closely with Clinical Operations Manufacturing Quality Trade Compliance Digital Delivery Performance Packaging external logistics providers and other stakeholders to ensure the V2V model is effective compliant scalable and centered on the patient journey.
This is a hybrid position with a requirement to work in the office three days a week.
Accountabilities:
Lead the Vein-to-Vein Operations function with accountability for organizational design role clarity decision rights governance ways of working and execution performance across the end-to-end patient and product journey.
Own the Vein-to-Vein Operations operating model centered onpatient and order orchestration proactive patient journey management customer experience and digitally enabled control tower visibility.
Establish and lead the V2V orchestration model including the 24/7 global control tower mindset and the operating rhythms required to monitor product and patient journeys in real time and intervene proactively.
Lead product journey monitoring capability ensuring all critical milestones across collection manufacturing transit release and return delivery are visible monitored and linked to timely operational response.
Own slot execution and coordination capability ensuring the organization can effectively manage the forecast-to-booked slot pipeline and operate within defined planning rules and capacity parameters.
Ensure robust V2V and COI/COC traceability including appropriate business process ownership standard templates process controls and operational discipline required to maintain traceability and GMP/GDP compliance.
Own exception management and escalation capability ensuring clear playbooks decision pathways and cross-functional escalation processes are in place when patient or product journeys move off the expected path.
Lead courier and logistics provider engagement for active Vein-to-Vein journeys ensuring real-time milestone visibility escalation of off-path events and coordinated recovery actions for shipment delays temperature excursions missed milestones and other transport-related disruptions impacting patient timelines.
Lead customer experience deliveryfor treatment centers and internal stakeholders by establishing service expectations communication standards escalation pathways and a coordinated end-to-end experience in collaboration with Patient Operations.
Own operational performance managementacross Vein-to-Vein Operations including service reliability milestone adherence exception trends customer experience and execution quality.
Build and Lead cross-functional governance and decision-makingfor operational compliance capacity and service issues impacting V2V execution.
Ensure operational readiness and scale-upfor new studies countries sites third parties products lanes digital capabilities and Commercial readiness impacting Vein-to-Vein Operations.
Partner with Digital and business stakeholdersto ensure systems workflow design reporting and data structures support the intended V2V operating model and real-time visibility requirements that will scale for the future.
Drive continuous improvementacross the function by identifying structural issues prioritizing enhancements and strengthening the operating model for reliability scalability and customer experience.
Provide strong people leadership building and leading a high-performing team through clear direction coaching development performance management and a culture of accountability collaboration and continuous improvement.
Essential Skills/Experience:
10 years (or MS/MA/MBA with 8 years) in logistics operations at pharma/biotech or leading clinical supply or logistics providers; cell therapy experience preferred.
Minimum education: a Bachelors degreeinSupply Chain Engineering Life Sciences Operations or a related field.
Extensive experienceinbiopharma supply chain cell therapy operations clinical logistics or related operational leadership roles typically including12 years of relevant experience with substantial experience inautologous Vein-to-Vein operationsand complex regulated environments.
Demonstrated success leading complex operational organizations with accountability forpeople leadership operating model design execution governance performance and continuous improvement.
Deep understanding ofpatient and order orchestrationCOI/COC traceabilityslot executionproduct journey monitoringexception management and specialized cold chain or time-sensitive logistics.
Strong experience building or leadingscalable operating modelscontrol tower or real-time monitoring capabilitiesbusiness process ownership frameworks and cross-functional ways of working in regulated environments.
Experience supportingclinical-to-commercial transition commercial readiness global expansion or operational scale-upin cell therapy or similarly complex supply environments.
Demonstrated ability to lead through complexity influence senior stakeholders and align teams acrossClinical Operations Manufacturing Quality Supply Chain Digital Trade Compliance and external logistics partners.
Strong understanding ofGDP GMP GxP deviation management CAPA and inspection-readiness expectations.
Excellent communication leadership and stakeholder management skills with the ability to translate strategic direction into scalable operational capability and a high-performing team culture.
Desirable Skills/Experience:
Advanced degree such asMSMBA or equivalent.
Experience building or leading acontrol tower centralized operations or real-time operational monitoring capability.
Experience supportingclinical-to-commercial transition launch readiness global expansion or operational scale-up in cell therapy or advanced therapies.
Experience withPower BI Tableau Excel Smartsheet or similar tools for performance visibility and operational analytics.
The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from$141997.60to$212996.40 positions offer eligibility for various incentivesan opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs paid time off (i.e. vacation holiday and leaves) as well as health dental and vision coveragein accordance withthe terms of the applicable plans.
AstraZenecais an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination. AstraZeneca is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Such accommodation is available on request in respect of all aspects of the recruitment assessment and selection process and may be requested by emailing.
Why AstraZeneca:
Join a place where you are trusted to take ownership and move fast combining scientific rigor with data-driven operations to deliver therapies that change lives. You will work shoulder-to-shoulder with unexpected teams in the same room unleashing bold thinking to solve complex logistics challenges at scale. We champion curiosity and decisive action value kindness alongside ambition and empower you with the tools partnerships and freedom to shape how living medicines reach patients across the world.
Call to Action:
Lead the global nerve center of cell therapy logistics and build the systems teams and partnerships that move cures to patients fasterbring your expertise and make your mark.
Where can I find out more
OurSocial Media Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn AstraZeneca on Facebook AstraZeneca on Instagram US Footprint: Powering Scientific Innovation - YouTube
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Date Posted
06-Jul-2026Closing Date
09-Aug-2026Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and 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.
Required Experience:
Director
About Company
AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer. AstraZeneca will consider all qualified applicants for employment without discrimination on grounds of disability, sex or sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity leave status, race or national or ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, ... View more