Senior Director – Small Molecule Chemistry in Chemical Development

Job Title: Senior Director – Small Molecule Chemistry 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:

Are you ready to lead world-class small molecule chemistry development that turns bold science into reliable medicines for patients? In this role, you will set the technical direction and elevate how we design, scale, and validate robust drug substance processes—reducing risk, shortening timelines, and enabling confident clinical supply and launch!

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 Chemistry function in AstraZeneca’s Chemical Development department as Senior Director – Small Molecule Chemistry.

You will be responsible for leading a section of the Chemistry function developing synthetic manufacturing processes and supporting regulatory documentation. Working closely with the Function Head for Chemistry to deliver the Small Molecule development strategy and drive successful delivery of the projects portfolio through Phase 3-enabling clinical development to commercialisation. Do you thrive when you can mentor leaders, influence strategy, and see tangible impact on medicines reaching patients faster?

Accountabilities:

Lead a section of Chemistry team leaders (and associated teams) and senior scientific staff to drive technical excellence in delivery of the Chemistry contribution to small molecule drug substance projects, with accountability for:

• Route design, process design and optimisation, process characterisation and finalisation, with associated scale-up assessment, and control strategy development
• Technology transfer and support of clinical drug substance manufacture and process validation
• Delivery of CMC regulatory submissions for clinical and marketing – acting as reviewer and approver

Line management of Chemistry team leaders and senior scientific staff, including:

• Sophisticated 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 compliance for section

Leading the small molecule Chemistry development strategy:

• Identification and execution of improvement programmes to enhance the capability and capacity of the Chemistry 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 or equivalent experience in Chemistry + a minimum of 10 years’ experience in synthetic drug substance 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 and scale-up of synthetic chemistry to deliver commercially viable manufacturing processes, including advanced understanding of the contribution of analytical chemistry, chemical engineering, and particle science
• Strong understanding of the drug development process, especially late-stage development to support Phase 3 clinical studies and launch including control strategy development
• Proven experience in authoring and reviewing module 3.2 regulatory submissions

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Track record of driving the introduction of digital approaches and new synthetic manufacturing 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 overall efficiency with measurable impact

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!

Why AstraZeneca:

Here, your leadership turns complex science into dependable supply for patients worldwide. You will work with pioneering chemistry, digital technologies, and lean principles, side by side with colleagues who put unexpected teams in the same room to crack tough problems. With a truly global network and strong investment in people and modern facilities, you will grow your impact and your career—learning from diverse teams, shaping standards across sites, and contributing to a more sustainable future. We value kindness alongside ambition, and we back decisive leaders who take ownership and deliver outcomes that matter.

Call to Action:

Step forward to lead the chemistry that scales breakthrough molecules into life-changing medicines—and shape what’s next.

Date Posted

28-Jan-2026

Closing Date

18-Feb-2026

Our 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.

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 authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.