Role Summary

The Head of Business Planning & Site Operations (BPSO) is a member of the R&D China Leadership Team. This individual supports the Head of R&D China across all aspects of functional oversight, ensuring that the organization operates efficiently and effectively while positioning itself for both short-term and long-term growth. The BPSO leads strategic planning for functional and non-drug projects, translating business requirements into actionable solutions and ensuring alignment with other organizational functions when necessary. This role is responsible for driving efficient business operations, including leading the Leadership Team's daily affairs, managing internal communications, and overseeing the annual budget and business planning processes. Additionally, the BPSO manages business-as-usual (BAU) operational processes, such as scorecard development and monitoring, risk management, functional budget tracking, and tracking SHE (Safety, Health, and Environment) and sustainability targets.

Key Accountabilities

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Head of R&D China, ensuring that organizational goals and objectives are achieved and that priorities are communicated effectively.
• Play a key role in strategic planning and opportunity assessment, identifying new opportunities and risks while maintaining an enterprise-wide perspective.
• Oversee the daily operations of the Leadership Team, including planning and managing Leadership Team and face-to-face (F2F) meetings.
• Manage the departmental business calendar to ensure thorough preparation for essential business processes and meetings, such as Long-Term Planning (LTP), Mid-Term Planning (MTP), and SET or TA presentations.
• Drive the development of scorecards and the monitoring of key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Lead the functional risk management process, proactively identify potential issues, and drive the implementation of effective solutions.
• Collaborate with the Finance business partner to manage functional budget targets.
• Ensure adherence to agreed travel CO2 and site sustainability targets.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with Commercial and Operations teams in China on behalf of the Head of R&D China.
• Ensure robust logistics and communication support for cross-functional events, including the Annual Meeting, Leadership Summit, and Townhalls, to ensure event objectives are met and value is maximized.
• Maximize communication opportunities to enhance the external profile of R&D China, such as through Science Day.
• Manage minor capital expenditure (CAPEX) processes for R&D China.
• Act as the operational site lead for China-based R&D sites, being responsible for BAU site operations.
• Lead strategic planning for long-term site development to support business growth in China.
• Provide line management and development for members of the BPSO function.

Essential Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years of work experience.
• Advanced degree or equivalent experience in business operations and strategy.
• Strong understanding of AstraZeneca's ways of working.
• Proven ability to build engagement in a large organization and mobilize teams to achieve shared goals and drive business change.
• Strategic problem-solving skills with the ability to act independently and decisively to anticipate and address challenges.
• Well-developed negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Results- and action-oriented approach.
• Ability to influence key stakeholders and drive decisions and outcomes.
• Experience in developing strong relationships with senior leaders and key partners.
• Track record of working with senior leadership teams.
• Ability to thrive in a highly dynamic, fast-paced, and continuously changing global environment with minimal oversight or direction.

Date Posted

29-1月-2026

Closing Date

28-1月-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.