Associate Director of Automation

Role: Associate Director of Automation

Location: Waltham, MA

The AD, Automation will be responsible for overseeing the implementation, integration, and management of advanced building systems at AstraZeneca’s Boston R&D Sites. Individuals will set strategy and maintainplaybook for all building instrumentation and systems.This role will have direct oversight of the Building Automation System (BAS) Such as ALC WebCTRL,and Building Operations System, ensuring that all building systems work harmoniously to optimize performance, energy efficiency, and occupant comfort.

The manager must possess a deep understanding of BAS, Life Safety Systems, Security Systems, and Smart Building technologies, with a particular emphasis on cross-system integrations and the effective use of a Building Operating System platform (BOS) like Siemens BuildingX sustainability platform.

Major Responsibilities

• Managing the implementation, operation, and optimization of Smart Building systems, ensuring seamless integration across BAS, Life Safety, Security, and other building systems.

• Develop and maintain sustainability metrics and dashboards that track energy and resource utilization, facilitating transparent reporting and continuous improvement.

• Overseeing/managing the work of the BAS Lead and BOS Leadproviding guidance and support to ensure successful project execution and system performance.Align BAS practices to other AZ R&D sites to meet similar reporting metrics& performance criteria.

• Driving initiatives to enhance building performance through advanced analytics, data-driven decision-making, and the successful implementation of systems that optimize energy and resource consumption, based on predictive insights—maximizing operational efficiency while improving user comfort

• Collaborating with internal teams and external vendors to design, implement, and maintain a robust Building Operating System (BOS) like Siemens BuildingX that supports cross-system integration and advanced building management.

• Ensuring all building systems comply with industry regulations, company SOPs, and best practices.

• Driving continuous improvement in building operations through the adoption of innovative technologies and methodologies.

• Conducting regular assessments of building system performance, identifying opportunities for optimization and implementing solutions to enhance system efficiency and reliability.

• Providing technical expertise and training to the facilities management team on Smart Building technologies, system integrations, and best practices.

• Maintaining strong communication and collaboration with key stakeholders, including facilities management, IT, security teams, and external vendors.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• A Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Engineering, Building Automation, Information Technology, or a related field is required.

• A minimum of 6-8 years of experience in managing Building Operations Systems, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or management role is necessary.

• In-depth knowledge of BAS systems, Life Safety Systems, Security Systems, and Smart Building technologies, including cross-system integrations, is essential.

• Proven experience in implementing and managing Building Operating Systems (BOS) that support complex lab building environments is required.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to leverage data to drive decision-making and system optimization are essential.

• Experience in leading and managing change regarding the adoption and integration of new technologies.

• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with a track record of leading high-performing teams in a dynamic environment, are required.

• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, are necessary.

• Familiarity with industry standards and regulatory requirements related to Smart Building systems and technologies is required.

Expectations and Accountabilities:

• Strong aptitude for customer service.

• Able to recognize problems & generate potential solutions; knows when to escalate issues.

• Foster a culture of engagement, safety, quality, sustainability, and continuous improvement.

• Provide accurate and timely reporting on operations and resource utilization.

• Demonstrate strong leadership, decision-making skills, and example-setting behaviors.

• Strong critical and analytical thinker. 

• Good interpersonal and problem-solving skills.

• Highly organized, efficient, and self-motivated.

Measures of Success:

• Achieving high levels of system integration and operational efficiency across all building systems.

• Successfully implementing and maintaining a robust BOS that supports cross-system integration and advanced building management.

• Meeting or exceeding performance targets for energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and system reliability.

• Successfully leading the BAS Lead and Smart Building Analytics Lead in delivering their projects on time and within budget.

• Receiving positive feedback from stakeholders on the effectiveness and efficiency of Smart Building systems.