Senior Director Small Molecule Analytical Science in Chemical Development

Job Title: Senior Director – Small Molecule Analytical Science in Chemical Development 

Location: Macclesfield, UK

Hybrid working model, 3 days per week onsite

About us:

At AstraZeneca, we're united by a bold ambition: to push the boundaries of science and deliver life-changing medicines to patients worldwide. As a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company, we transform pioneering research into breakthrough treatments across oncology, cardiovascular, respiratory, and rare diseases. Here, your talent will contribute to innovations that truly matter—helping us reimagine healthcare and create a healthier future for all!

Introduction to role:

Small molecule Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) remain a powerful modality for tackling disease. The complexity of small molecule therapeutics continues to grow, necessitating innovative and efficient means for their synthesis and manufacture to meet volume, cost and sustainability goals.

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated leader to join the Analytical function in AstraZeneca’s Chemical Development department as Senior Director – Small Molecule Analytical. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading a section of the Analytical function developing control strategies for drug substance manufacturing processes and supporting regulatory documentation. The Senior Director will work closely with the Function Head for Analytical to deliver the Small Molecule development strategy and drive successful delivery of the project portfolio through Phase 3-enabling clinical development to commercialisation.

Are you ready to lead small molecule analytical science that supports the transformation of complex synthetic routes into robust manufacturing processes with control strategies for patients who need them? This is a high-leverage leadership position where your decisions and standards will accelerate how our portfolio moves from molecule to medicine with speed, reliability, and affordability.

Do you excel in a fast‑paced, highly collaborative setting where curiosity meets rigour to deliver meaningful impact? Join us to shape enterprise-wide strategy, develop high-performing leaders, and embed modern ways of working that elevate performance across teams, sites and external partners. You’ll influence at the intersections—connecting strategy to execution, people to purpose, and data to decisions—to unlock measurable results and sustained growth.

Accountabilities:

• Lead a section of Analytical team leaders (and associated teams) and senior scientific staff to drive technical excellence in delivery of the analytical contribution to small molecule drug substance projects, with accountability across:
• Route design, process design and optimisation, process characterisation and validation, leading to commercial control strategy development
• Technology transfer and support of clinical drug substance manufacture and process validation
• Release processes for clinical batches of drug substance.
• Stability strategies for drug substances.
• Broad knowledge and application of ICH guidance in drug development.
• Delivery of CMC regulatory submissions for clinical and marketing – acting as reviewer and approver
• Line management of Analytical team leaders and senior scientific staff, including:
• Coaching and mentoring to support professional development as leaders, including onboarding of first-time team leaders
• Advanced performance management – goal setting and regular feed-forward to drive high impact contributions
• Driving SHE and Quality compliance across an organisation.
• Leading the small molecule Analytical development strategy
• Identification and execution of improvement programmes to enhance the capability and capacity of the Analytical function to deliver their contribution to drug substance projects
• Understanding the external scientific and technology landscape to champion innovation and scientific curiosity within the function
• Working across interfaces to develop and embed improved standards and ways of working

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Degree in Analytical Science or Chemistry + a minimum of 10 years’ experience in pharmaceutical development
• Proven high impact people leadership experience, with a track record of effectively managing and developing scientific teams through coaching and mentoring. Demonstrated experience of leading senior staff – either scientific or team leaders is highly desirable
• Expert in development of Analytical methodologies to control and characterise drug substance from commercial manufacturing processes, including advanced understanding of the contribution of chemistry, chemical engineering, and particle science
• Strong understanding of the drug development processes, especially late-stage development to support Phase 3 clinical studies and launch.
• Proven experience in authoring and reviewing clinical and marketing regulatory submissions

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Track record of driving the introduction of digital approaches and new analytical technology is highly desirable
• Strong project management skills and the ability to drive multiple projects simultaneously within the team
• Demonstrated experience of inspiring change and continuous improvement to improve efficiency with measurable impact

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we ignite 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!

Why AstraZeneca:

Here, you will turn innovative science into dependable delivery across a complex, fast-growing pipeline. Our global network connects a diverse set of minds to move faster, think bigger, and solve practical challenges that stand between molecules and patients. We blend lean principles, modern digital tools, and sustainable practices to improve on speed, quality, and impact. Expect ambitious collaboration, deep kindness alongside ambition, and the chance to build a long-term, career while contributing to medicines that matter for communities worldwide.

Call to Action:

Take the step that gives your expertise maximum influence—lead the analytical strategy that shapes how small molecule therapies reach patients and send us your CV to start the conversation today.

Date Posted

05-Feb-2026

Closing Date

26-Feb-2026Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.