Director, Digital - Statistics & Data Analytics

Director, Digital – Statistics & Data Analytics Location: Durham Function: Pharmaceutical Technology & Development (PT&D) Group: Global Product Development (GPD) Reports to: Director, Digital Product Development Working arrangement: Hybrid (3 times per week at office) About AstraZeneca AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines. By combining scientific expertise, digital innovation and collaborative partnerships, we aim to improve patient outcomes and address some of the world’s most complex healthcare challenges. Within Global Product Development , digital capabilities are helping transform how pharmaceutical products are developed, evaluated and delivered. Our teams bring together scientific, technical and digital expertise to support evidence-based decisions, strengthen development processes and accelerate innovation across the product portfolio. The role We are seeking a Director, Digital – Statistics & Data Analytics to provide strategic, scientific and people leadership for a multidisciplinary team of statisticians and data analysts within Digital Product Development. This is a broad digital leadership role with the opportunity to shape and execute the Global Pharmaceutical Development digital strategy , connect GPD priorities with the wider AstraZeneca digital ecosystem, and define the direction of data, analytics and statistics across the portfolio. You will translate scientific and business needs into clear priorities, align specialist resources to the areas of greatest impact, and ensure the delivery of scientifically rigorous, pragmatic and timely support for pharmaceutical product development, regulatory submissions and evidence-based decision-making. Working in a diverse digital environment, you will partner with senior leaders, drug project teams, technical specialists and external collaborators. You will also help strengthen data accessibility, standards and governance, while driving the development and adoption of emerging digital capabilities, including agentic AI . This role offers the opportunity to build future-focused capabilities, develop talent and enable sustained adoption of digital tools in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment. Key responsibilities • Shape digital strategy: Contribute to the definition of the GPD digital science strategy and lead execution of its data, data analytics and statistics components. • Identify opportunities for impact: Collaborate with drug project teams to identify digital opportunities that deliver tangible benefits, develop tailored digital strategies and ensure effective deployment of specialist resources. • Lead statistical and analytics expertise: Provide scientific and strategic leadership to a global team of statisticians and data analysts, ensuring rigorous, timely and fit-for-purpose support for pharmaceutical product development, regulatory submissions and evidence-based decisions. • Partner with senior stakeholders: Act as a trusted adviser and thought partner to senior leaders, helping translate complex scientific, technical and business needs into clear priorities and practical solutions. • Build digital capability: Develop statistical, data and digital capability through coaching, training and communities of practice. Promote broader access to digital tools and encourage their effective adoption across the organisation. • Advance emerging technologies: Support the development and adoption of innovative digital capabilities, including agentic AI, modelling, simulation and advanced analytics where they can enhance pharmaceutical development. • Strengthen data foundations: Help improve data accessibility, standards, governance and collaborative workflows, ensuring that data and analytical practices support business objectives and regulatory expectations. • Collaborate across the ecosystem: Establish effective partnerships with internal and external collaborators, technical teams, project teams and other digital leaders to ensure alignment with broader business goals. • Support regulatory readiness: Monitor and advocate for relevant regulatory changes, helping the organisation prepare for and comply with evolving industry regulations and standards. • Develop people and culture: Lead, mentor and coach team members, foster excellence and innovation, build capabilities for the future, and promote a culture of continuous improvement and Lean thinking. • Lead change: Drive culture change and enable sustained adoption of new digital tools, approaches and ways of working in a complex, regulated environment. Required qualifications and experience • PhD in Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Chemical Engineering or a related field, plus at least 10 years of relevant experience; or a master’s degree in one of these fields plus at least 12 years of relevant experience. • Proven experience defining and executing digital strategies. • Demonstrated experience leading digital transformation within the pharmaceutical industry, with a strong understanding of how statistics and data analytics support business priorities. • Significant expertise in data, data analytics or statistics, with the ability to guide specialists and ensure scientifically sound approaches to pharmaceutical product development. • Broad digital understanding, including how modelling, simulation and AI can support pharmaceutical development. • Broad knowledge of pharmaceutical product development and the scientific context in which digital solutions are applied. • Ability to translate scientific and business needs or opportunities into clear priorities for statistics, data analytics and digital solutions. • Demonstrated ability to broaden access to and promote adoption of digital and AI tools. • Significant experience managing and leading teams, with a proven record of developing talent and providing effective coaching. • Ability to set strategic dir