Senior Director of GBS Project Services 

Location: Lisbon, Portugal / Other GBS locations will be considered

In GBS we dare to change the way we work – we are brave, resilient and take smart risks with a focus on simplifying the way we work.  Through our global scale and diverse services, we look to drive value through our innovation and expertise.  This requires a team who see no boundaries, can collaborate and challenge the norm and feel empowered, motivated and engaged.

Reporting to the GBS COO, the Senior Director of GBS Project Services will set the strategy for and deliver our enterprise-wide Project Services capability. Project Services is a key capability with the GBS function and is a global team of experienced and skilled project managers (~200 FTE) delivering projects across all AstraZeneca functions to drive both transformation and operational delivery across the company.

The Senior Director GBS Project Services is accountable and responsible for understanding enterprise needs and translating this into operational strategy and clear roadmap to deliver effective, efficient ways of working, embracing new capabilities, methodologies, technology and delivery techniques that robustly deliver high quality, highly valued services day in and day out across AstraZeneca to our growing needs.  

What you will do:

The role holder will be accountable for Leading the ‘Project Services’ delivery team:

• Setting and driving a global strategy, with a clear, overarching purpose to drive benefit for the enterprise.  Ensuring this strategy is aligned with enterprise and functional strategies, with strong stakeholder alignment.  Partner across GBS leadership team to ensure alignment of goals and prioritisation.
• Delivery Governance: Ensuring high quality delivery through setting team goals, defining performance expectations, setting project management Standards, Feedback mechanisms and external benchmarking.  Ensure any delivery quality risks, issues and escalations are identified and resolved quickly and effectively.
• Operations: Ensuring delivery of high-quality project services across the organisation
• Business Development of Project Services: identification, development and approval of future services scope
• Financial management of a large budget and P&L.
• Developing and leading a high performing team to deliver a credible and customer focused service.
• Lead on and be a focal point for the organisation for project services delivery.
• Leading the GBS Project Services team in developing, implementing, running and optimising services by:
• Driving ongoing Process and Continuous Improvement across processes, implementing best practices to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of delivery
• Ensuring high quality and timely delivery to employees, third parties and other stakeholders while maintaining service level agreements and compliance with relevant regulations
• Vendor management: managing relationships with external vendors and service providers to ensure the delivery of critical activities undertaken by 3rd parties
• Developing and monitoring KPIs and CSAT to measure the effectiveness of delivery and customer satisfaction, driving ongoing improvement initiatives.
• Lead by example in creating an inclusive, high performing team – in an innovative and collaborative organisation; seeks opportunities to change paradigm and removes barriers within and outside the team
• Manage a large budget, ensuring that recharges are agreed with stakeholders and utilisation levels are at target levels to ensure financial targets are met.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Financial Leadership - Proven ability to manage large budgets with recharges, including utilisation planning, pricing, cost governance, accurate forecasting, and stakeholder spend guidance
• Strategic & Analytical Thinking - Capability to envision future possibilities and translate them into breakthrough strategies based on data-driven analysis
• Project Delivery Expertise - 10+ years in delivery (5+ years in leadership) delivering high-impact projects in large organisations, with deep understanding of methodologies and tailored approaches
• Stakeholder Management - Track record of cross-functional collaboration and matrix leadership with strong influencing and networking skills; ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders
• Team Leadership - Demonstrated success attracting and developing diverse teams, optimising performance, and implementing cross-border operating models with clear accountabilities
• Communication Excellence - Ability to translate insights into compelling strategy and enterprise benefits, balancing big-picture vision with operational execution detail
• Continuous Improvement Mindset - Collaborative approach to driving innovation and building a culture of ongoing enhancement
• People Development - Ability to engage, inspire, and create followership across large diverse teams; engenders trust, empowers others, and makes fair, informed talent decisions
• Drive & Resilience - Strong prioritisation skills and resilience to drive enterprise initiatives with a bias for delivery

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Pharmaceutical Business understanding - Understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, different role profiles, attraction and retention strategies.
• Consultancy Background - Setting up and expanding a new function; evolving and implementing operating models
• GBS Acumen - Comprehensive understanding of the GBS space as well as the clear understanding of the external marketplace (current & future) to shape new opportunities. Experience in both Captive and BPO.

Why AstraZeneca?

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.

AstraZeneca is where scientific leadership changes patients’ lives! With science at its heart, this is where breakthroughs born in the lab become transformative medicine for the world’s most complex diseases. We strive to understand diverse populations' needs and act accordingly, striving to transform healthcare for everyone. Our ground-breaking pipeline promises a bright future with exciting opportunities. Be proud to take your place in our global enterprise as we lead the way for healthcare and society.

Ready to Apply?

Help us shape the future. Submit your application and join a team that’s creating meaningful change for people and communities everywhere.

Date Posted

12-Jan-2026

Closing Date

26-Jan-2026

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.