Director, Early Oncology Clinical Operations Technology & Vendor Excellence

Location Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States Job ID R-260599 Date posted 23/09/2026 Director, Early Oncology Clinical Operations Technology & Vendor Excellence This is a newly created strategic leadership role, established as part of the evolution of the CPSO Centre of Excellence (COE). The Director, Clinical Operations Technology & Vendor Excellence is accountable for driving the Early Oncology CPSO technology strategy and vendor governance agenda— ensuring that the tools, platforms, and partnerships that underpin clinical study delivery are fit for purpose, future-ready, and delivering measurable value for Early Oncology. Sitting at the intersection of clinical operations, digital innovation, and strategic vendor management, this role shapes how CPSO and its COE enabling communities harness technology — from Central Lab Partnerships (CLP), Outsourced CRO Partnerships, Interactive Response Technology (IRT) systems to digital health tools and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled process automation. The role also provides senior-level oversight of external vendor relationships, ensuring accountability, performance, and alignment to AstraZeneca's clinical delivery priorities. Responsibilities: Vendor Technology Strategy & Innovation Own and drive the EO clinical operations vendor technology roadmap, aligned to CPSO and broader R&D digital strategy. Provide strategic oversight of our Outsourcing Partnership Model, CLP Model, key platform areas including IRT/RTSM, digital health tools, Vendor AI and automation capabilities, and emerging technologies relevant to clinical trial delivery. Partner with Global Clinical Solutions (GCS), alliance management and external innovation partners to identify, evaluate, and scale technologies that improve speed, quality, and efficiency in EO clinical operations. Champion an innovation culture across CPSO and COE enabling communities — enabling experimentation, piloting new capabilities, and rapid scaling of what works. Lead the integration of AI and automation into clinical operations vendor workflows as needed, working closely with the AI & Automation COE community. Vendor Excellence & Strategic Partnerships Define and lead a best-in-class vendor governance framework for EO CPSO technology vendors, CROs, and specialist service providers. This includes developing and implementing a clear escalation path within EO and beyond. Oversees EO vendor performance management — including EO KPI frameworks, escalation pathways, business review cadences, and contract compliance monitoring. Lead EO vendor relationships and serve as our EO point of contact for strategic technology and service partners including CLPs, Digital Health, iRT, and Outsourcing Partnership Drive vendor and portfolio optimization within EO, ensuring AstraZeneca achieves maximum value from its external partnerships. Partners with Procurement, as needed, to shape vendor strategy, competitive sourcing, and contract negotiations for key EO clinical operations technology platforms. Develop and embed a vendor risk management approach, including business continuity planning and contingency frameworks for critical vendor systems within EO. COE Community Leadership Provide strategic direction and leadership to the iRT/RTSM and Digital Health COE communities, ensuring their roadmaps and priorities align with broader CPSO and R&D objectives. Support community leads in building capability, setting quality standards, and embedding best practices across their respective areas. Connects technology and vendor insights across COE communities — acting as a bridge between the AI & Automation, Digital Health, and iRT/RTSM communities to drive coherent, joined-up delivery. Collaborates closely with the Onboarding, Training and Learning Community Lead and, Process and Quality Community Lead to ensure vendor related EO training and processes are adapted and communicated across CPSO Represents Vendor/Systems technology and v…

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