Senior Cell Therapy Engagement Manager

At AstraZeneca's Oncology R&D division, we follow the science to explore and innovate. We are working towards treating, preventing, modifying, and even curing some of the world's most sophisticated diseases. Here we have the potential to grow our pipeline and positively impact the lives of billions of patients around the world. We are committed to making a difference and have built our business around our passion for science. Now we are fusing data and technology with the latest scientific innovations to achieve the next wave of breakthroughs.

Position Summary:

The Senior Cell Therapy Site Engagement Manager (SCTEM) is a multifaceted role, responsible to develop and foster relationships with AstraZeneca (AZ) clinical sites and cell therapy site personnel for assigned region(s). This person will serve as a single point-of-contact providing outstanding customer service for AZ’s cell therapy site network while providing knowledge and expertise around products and processes to all customer team members. Responsible for developing product-specific processes and procedures to onboard and be responsible for the AZ site network used for cell therapy products. This role will provide support for the vein-to-vein process from patient registration, apheresis collection (starting material) and product infusion while supervising ongoing account performance post-site activation.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and cultivate relationships with clinical sites and cell therapy site personnel for assigned region(s)
• Work in close partnership with the cross-functional AZ Cell Therapy Team to engage and qualify key treatment centers with both clinical trial and commercial intent
• Provide on-site apheresis collection and IMP administration support
• Collect VOC (voice-of-customer) and VOB (voice-of-business) feedback used for continuous operations improvement
• Provide input to the development of the cell journey with regards to apheresis and cell therapy-specific processes
• Coordinate with cell therapy site staff to ensure all apheresis and IMP receipt/storage/administration onboarding activities are completed and sites are prepared to treat patients for clinical trials and or in authorized treatment centers
• Work with AZ business partners to supervise metrics, assess performance and recommend commercial capabilities
• Ensure that issues related to cellular starting material evaluated, investigated, and provide feedback and follow-up with the treatment centers providing the apheresis material
• Develop internal and external-facing training materials for AZ teams and sites.
• Deliver and support the coordination of site trainings on AZ’s Apheresis and IMP handling manual in collaboration with Supply Chain
• Support qualification and ongoing training of treatment centers on-site to ensure they can implement to the AZ requirements to treat patients with AZs cell therapy products in both the clinical and commercial setting
• Author and maintain Apheresis Handling manuals, Investigational Medicinal Product (IMP) Handling manuals and forms that are product-specific to support all active trials in collaboration with cross functional teams
• On-site meetings to support and drive negotiation and maintenance of contracts, including the Apheresis Agreements and Quality Agreement in coordination with legal teams and Apheresis QA
• Mentor and provide support to junior Cell Therapy Site Engagement Managers (CTEM) new to AstraZeneca. This will be a remote position with a strong emphasis on relationship building including in-person and on-site support for assigned territory
• Ensure high quality and consistent provision of apheresis collection through assessment and monitoring of clinical sites
• Conduct investigations in case of deviations on starting material and oversight of the end-to-end process deviations in close coordination with all relevant functions
• Maintain and evaluate key performance indicators for site performance and internal metrics
• Lead rollout of process changes to assigned sites and train sites on changes
• Triage and raise communications from Investigator Sites and AZ internal departments as needed
• Identify and initiate deviations as applicable, with partner concern to appropriate departments as required
• Travel can be 60 % to internal and external sites as required, for example for site training and operational support/oversight

Education & Experience Requirements:

• BS with 7+ years or MS with 5+ years of relevant industry experience. Must have 7+ years of Cell Therapy Operations experience in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, or healthcare systems environment

Required Skills:

• Demonstrates strategic understanding of the cell therapy market
• Strong understanding of cell therapy community engagement within academic hospitals and community practices
• Strong understanding of the outpatient setting capabilities of the cell therapy commercial landscape
• Strong understanding of the health systems and their referral patterns and pathways
• Ability to rapidly address problems, ready to take decisions and deal with organizational complexity
• Knowledge of applicable regulations and standards (US, APAC, and UK/EU)
• Experience in Customer Service Role
• Experience in a regulated environment either hospital or pharmaceutical/biotech
• Highly effective in working in a global environment, to accommodate different time zone as needed
• Excellent command of MS PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Project
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills

Desirable Skills:

• Advanced degree or equivalent experience in the Life Sciences or Engineering (e.g., Pharm D, NP, PA, Biomedical Engineer).
• Experience working in Apheresis, Cellular Therapy or Stem Cell Transplant programs.
• Prior customer facing role in pharmaceutical/biotech industry
• Experience working with critical raw material suppliers or contract manufacturing organizations.
• Proficient in other languages a plus

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $126,805 to $190,207. However, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related experience. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and we reserve the right to modify base salary (and any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

NeoGene Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the discovery, development, and manufacturing of next-generation T-cell receptor therapies (TCR-Ts). Neogene operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of AstraZeneca, with operations in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and California, US.

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca's Biopharmaceuticals R&D division, we are forward-thinking and agile, always harnessing our diverse knowledge. We are part of the solution, turning our drug development strategies into reality. Work at all stages of development to translate our life-changing science into medicines to get the best results for AstraZeneca, patients in need and healthcare professionals. We are a diverse and open-minded team harnessing our different skills and experiences. Our differences enable us to explore new insights and ways of doing things. It keeps us on our toes and excited for what's next.

Ready to make a difference? Apply today and join us in our mission to create life-changing medicines