Director Statistical Programming
About this opportunity
Job Title Director Statistical Programming
GCL- F
Introduction to role:
The Director Statistical Programming leads, manages and develops a large team of programmers, including people managers, to deliver high-quality programming across one large, complex project or multiple drug projects. This role sets strategic direction for statistical programming, promotes consistent approaches to data analysis and reporting, tools and standards governance, and drives continuous process improvement. Working with cross-functional experts, the Director shapes how data are turned into insight, enabling confident decisions that directly influence the course of medicine development. Ready to guide high-impact work that reaches patients worldwide?
Accountabilities:
In this high-exposure role, the Director Statistical Programming provides strategic, scientific and programming leadership across clinical development programmes. The role defines the programming strategy for assigned projects, ensuring robust implementation of statistical programming aspects and alignment with business priorities. It leads, mentors and develops a sizeable programming organisation, setting clear objectives, overseeing training and compliance, and building a strong talent pipeline. The Director structures teams for productive collaboration, manages capacity and recruitment, and is accountable for the performance of internal staff and contractors.
The role maintains deep awareness of evolving industry and regulatory requirements, ensuring that programming deliverables meet internal, external and regulatory expectations. It champions consistent use of data standards and automation, measuring compliance and driving adoption across projects and functions. The Director manages risk in complex or novel situations, making informed decisions that balance quality, timelines and resources. It also leads or contributes to improvement initiatives within and beyond the function, pushing forward new ways of working that enhance efficiency and scientific quality.
Externally, the Director represents AstraZeneca and the Programming function at key forums, building visibility for our science and ways of working. Internally, it collaborates closely with partners across Biometrics and therapy areas, acting as a subject matter expert and Programming representative in alliances with CROs, including oversight of Statements of Work. This is a role for someone who thrives on influence without boundaries, enjoys working with unknowns, and wants to apply Biometrics expertise in a broader, more strategic way.
Essential Skills/Experience:
Degree in Mathematics (i.e., Applied Math, Engineering, etc), Statistics, Computer Science, Life Science, or equivalent experience
14+ years of Proven programming leadership experience
Thorough knowledge of the clinical developmentprocess
Thorough knowledge of industry standards
Demonstrated leadership capability and proven ability to lead teams towards a common goal
Demonstrated planning and organisational skill
Ability to influence relevant stakeholders and global teams
Ability to provide input to functional strategies
Ability to develop teams and individuals
Ability to manage risk in complicated or novel situations
Current knowledge of technical and regulatory requirements relevant to the role
Department mindset
Functional strategist
Desirable Skills/Experience:
Demonstrated experience designing and implementing business processes
Willingness and ability to travel
Excellent problem solving and conflict resolution skills
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 offers an environment where Biometrics leaders are visible, valued and trusted as key decision-makers at the forefront of science. Here, statistical programming shapes end deliverables across global therapy areas, working in a highly collaborative setting that embraces diverse perspectives and constructive challenge. There is a constant drive to learn, experiment and improve, supported by investment in technology and opportunities to stretch skills in new directions. Setbacks are treated as learning moments, bold thinking is encouraged, and the impact on patients is clear and tangible as work contributes directly to life-changing medicines.
There is a pre-identified candidate for this role. However, we encourage you to apply if you believe your capabilities align with the role.
Date Posted
19-Aug-2026
Closing Date
17-Sept-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.
Job details
How this role compares
Computed from every other active Biostatistics & Data Science role in our database, not just this employer's listings.
We currently track 56 comparable Director Biostatistics & Data Science roles across 17 biopharma companies.
Salary context
29 of 56 peers report a salary range (USD, annualized)
Peers share this role's job function and a matching or adjacent seniority level -- not necessarily the same therapeutic area or country.
Where these roles are based
Top locations among the 56 comparable roles
+ 2 more countries
Seniority mix
56 of 56 peers have a known seniority level
Therapeutic area mix
8 of 56 peers have a known therapeutic area; the rest are genuinely unlabeled, not hidden
Similar opportunities
The closest matches from our peer group, ranked by how similar they are, not how well you'd qualify for them -- treat this as market context, not a guaranteed shortlist; a weak match is labeled as one below.
Open in 2 locations
Open in 2 locations
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How we calculate "similar"
No black box, no LLM guesswork: a deterministic score built from four normalized attributes. Here's this role's own peer group at different match levels, so you can see the mechanism, not just the result.
Every comparison starts from the same 100-point budget: 25 for working in the same function, 40 for the same therapeutic area, 20 for the same or adjacent seniority, 15 for the same country. A dimension we can't confirm on both sides contributes nothing, never a guess, never a free pass.
0 points, never a partial guess. A role we know almost nothing about beyond its function bottoms out at 25%; it never inflates to 100% just because there's little to compare against. Seniority uses a defined ladder (Associate → Manager → Associate Director → Senior → Principal → Director → Senior Director → Executive/VP) so "Director" and "Senior Director" count as adjacent, but "Director" and "Executive/VP" do not.