Astrazeneca
Life Sciences
SeniorDirector/ExecutiveDirector,SafetySciencesChina
Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Director candidates.
“Senior Director/ Executive Director, Safety Sciences China at Astrazeneca. Skills: Safety Sciences, Toxicology, Drug Development, Leadership. Serve as China Site Head for CPSS. Provide local leadership and coordination”
What You'll Achieve.
Accelerate global drug discovery; Accelerate global drug development; Deliver critical toxicology strategies; Deliver expertise and data; Enhance Human Safety Predictions; Accelerate Delivery of Candidate Drugs; Achieve quality objectives; Achieve cycle-time objectives; Achieve cost objectives
Industry & Context.
Decision making
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
PhD in toxicology, pharmacology, pathology, cell biology or related life science, Scientific track record with high impact publications, Solid drug discovery and development experience, Experience leading GLP and non-GLP toxicology packages, Understanding of multidisciplinary interfaces, Demonstrated experience building high performing teams, Experience coaching/mentoring senior scientists, Proven ability to lead through complex global matrix, Experience aligning stakeholders, Experience influencing stakeholders, Experience resolving trade-offs, Experience driving clarity on priorities, Experience driving accountability, Experience driving decision pathways, Awareness of work-related cultural aspects across China, EU, UK, US, Proven ability to work and lead across geographies and cultural barriers, Significant expertise in designing and interpreting in vivo toxicology studies, Regulatory authorship and interactions expertise, Drive for scientific innovation, Drive for investigative toxicology, Drive for discovery safety, Fluent in English, Fluent in Mandarin
Nice to Have
Modality experience across small molecules, Modality experience across large molecules, Experience with private-public collaborations in China, Experience piloting NAMs/advanced digital/AI-enabled study Dx safety capabilities, Experience engaging with local Health Authorities (CDE), Familiarity with China early-phase pathways, Board certification (e.g. DABT)
What You'll Do.
Serve as China Site Head for CPSS
Provide local leadership and coordination
Act as key link between China and global
Facilitate alignment of local activities
Facilitate alignment of local talent
Facilitate alignment of local culture
Facilitate alignment of local engagement
Facilitate alignment of operational priorities
Partner with CPSS Leadership Team
Strengthen visibility in China
Strengthen connectivity in China
Strengthen organizational effectiveness in China
Deliver effective toxicology strategies
Translate program needs into testing strategies
Translate program needs into study plans
Translate program needs into timelines
Translate program needs into decision-making data
Ensure preclinical safety input
Integrate seamlessly into global development
Integrate seamlessly into global submissions
Oversee design of in vitro toxicology studies
Oversee placement of in vitro toxicology studies
Oversee interpretation of in vitro toxicology studies
Oversee design of in vivo toxicology studies
Oversee placement of in vivo toxicology studies
Oversee interpretation of in vivo toxicology studies
Deliver quality objectives with CROs
Deliver cycle-time objectives with CROs
Deliver cost objectives with CROs
Ensure scientific integrity
Ensure translational context
Ensure proactive risk assessment
Support responses to health authorities
Lead a high performing team
Lead a bilingual team
Foster an inclusive culture
Lead across cultural boundaries
Lead across time zones
Align local objectives with global expertise
Drive clarity on priorities
Contribute to global strategic objectives
Enhance Human Safety Predictions
Accelerate Delivery of Candidate Drugs
Serve as primary Safety Sciences point of contact
Ensure aligned priorities
Ensure seamless integration with global teams
Build credibility with internal governance bodies
Build trust with internal governance bodies
Build credibility with external collaborators
Build trust with external collaborators
Anticipate scientific innovation
Scout China-based innovations
Pilot China-based innovations
Establish collaborations with leading academics
Establish collaborations with leading biotech
Establish collaborations with preferred CROs
Channel validated approaches into global practice
Contribute to internal scientific reputation
Contribute to external scientific reputation
Role model demonstration of AZ Values
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Cross-functional partners; Global teams; Internal governance bodies; External collaborators
Communication Scope
Influencing skills; Executive presentations; Technical writing
Full Job Description
At AstraZeneca, we push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines. Our global Safety Sciences organization delivers innovative non-clinical safety science and toxicology expertise to enable the discovery, development and registration of novel medicines. As we expand our footprint in China, we are seeking a senior leader to build and scale local Safety Sciences capabilities and integrate innovation from the local life-science ecosystem. This role will lead the Safety Sciences team in China while also providing visible local leadership across the wider Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences (CPSS) organization and ensuring strong alignment with global strategy, priorities, and ways of working. You will lead a high‑performing team, deliver critical toxicology strategies, expertise and data to accelerate global drug discovery and development projects, establish durable partnerships with CROs, top academic institutes, and biotech in China, channel cutting‑edge methods (advanced cell models, NAMs, AI/analytics, omics, Dx safety) to modernize toxicology and enhance translational safety decision‑making. **Job description** * CPSS China leadership: Serve as the China Site Head for CPSS, providing local leadership and coordination across the broader CPSS organization in China. Act as a key link between the China (Shanghai and Beijing) and global CPSS footprints, facilitating alignment of local activities, talent, culture, engagement, and operational priorities with broader strategic objectives. Partner with the CPSS Leadership Team and other senior leaders to strengthen visibility, connectivity, and organizational effectiveness in China. * Deliver effective toxicology strategies for assets developed in China (internally and/or with collaborators), translating program needs into testing strategies, study plans, timelines, and decision-making data, ensuring preclinical safety input that integrates seamlessly into global development and submissions. * Oversee
Applying for this Senior Director/ Executive Director, Safety Sciences China role?
Most applicants get filtered before a human reads their resume. See if yours makes the cut.
How to Apply on Workday
- Workday has a multi-step form — save your progress after every section.
- "Apply With LinkedIn" can fail or lose data; manual entry is more reliable.
- Watch for the "Submit for Review" final step — hitting "Save" alone does not submit.
- Job requisition numbers are useful when following up with HR by email.
ANONYMOUS · UNFILTERED
What do employees actually say about Astrazeneca?
Real rants from real employees. Read before you apply.