Associate Director- Ecosystem Partnership, BD

Brief Job Description

This role resides in the International BD and Venture Fund team and will work closely with R&D, business development, corporate affairs and key cross functional teams across China and UK. He/she will lead the development and execution of strategic ecosystem partnerships between China and global, with China-UK collaboration as a core strategic corridor. The role will translate ecosystem opportunities into executable partnership programs that advance scientific innovation, business development, external innovation and venture-related priorities.

The incumbent will serve as a strategic connector, program leader and trusted external representative of the organization. He/she will identify, structure, launch and scale collaborations with governments, universities, research hospitals, academic institutions, innovation platforms, start-ups, investors, industry partners and other cross-sector ecosystem stakeholders. In addition to building ecosystem, the role will be accountable for establishing governance mechanisms, driving cross-functional project execution, managing funding budget, and ensuring that partnerships deliver measurable scientific, business and ecosystem impact.

Typical Accountabilities

Ecosystem Partnership Strategy and Development

• Define and execute a focused ecosystem partnership strategy aligned with International BD, Venture Fund and innovation priorities, including China-global collaboration roadmaps and China-UK partnership initiatives.
• Systematically map priority life-science innovation ecosystems, including universities, research hospitals, academic institutions, incubators, start-ups, investors and industry partners.
• Build and maintain a qualified pipeline of strategic partnership opportunities, and identify white spaces where ecosystem collaboration can create scientific, business or venture-related value.
• Orchestrate ecosystem engagement by connecting innovation partners and senior stakeholders through structured communication initiatives to accelerate ecosystem collaborations.

Strategic Project Management

• Translate ecosystem priorities into structured plans with clear objectives, milestones, deliverables, owners, governance, integrated workplans, decision points and performance metrics.
• Oversee annual project budget planning, allocate innovation funding to ecosystem partnering projects, and ensure compliance with financial audit and governance requirements.

Partnership Governance and Senior Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary relationship owner for selected priority partners and a senior interface between internal leadership and external ecosystem stakeholders across China, the UK and other global innovation hubs.
• Design and implement governance structures for strategic partnerships, including partner interfaces, meeting cadence, portfolio reviews, decision rights, communication protocols, escalation mechanisms and performance review processes.

Cross-functional Leadership and Capability Building

• Mobilize and influence matrix teams across R&D, BD, Venture Fund, corporate affairs, legal, finance to support strategic partnership objectives.
• Foster collaboration across China, UK and global teams, ensuring internal resources, decision-making and stakeholder communication are aligned with partnership priorities.
• Contribute to capability building by introducing structured partnership processes, practical project management tools, performance metrics and continuous improvement mechanisms.

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Education: Advanced degree such as PhD, MD or Master’s degree in life sciences, medicine, pharmacy, public health, business administration or a related field is strongly preferred.
• Experience: 10+ years of relevant experience in life sciences, biopharmaceuticals, medical technology,, healthcare innovation, venture investment, business development, external innovation, strategic partnerships or ecosystem development. Experience in a multinational organization is highly desirable.
• Partnership track record: Proven success developing and managing complex strategic partnerships, preferably involving cross-border collaboration, government-academic-industry partnerships, innovation ecosystems, R&D collaborations, BD transactions, venture initiatives or external innovation programs. Experience with China and international stakeholders, particularly the global innovation hubs, is a strong advantage.
• Project management capability: Strong ability to manage complex cross-functional programs, define milestones, establish governance, track KPIs, manage risks and deliver outcomes in a matrix environment.
• Functional expertise: Strong understanding of pharmaceutical R&D, clinical innovation, venture and external innovation ecosystems. Ability to connect opportunities and translate strategic intent into practical partnership models.
• Leadership and influence: Demonstrated ability to engage executive-level stakeholders, build trust, influence without authority and align diverse organizations around shared goals. Strong business judgment, scientific curiosity, conflict resolution capability and cross-cultural sensitivity are required.
• Other qualifications: Fluent in English and Mandarin, with executive-level written and verbal communication skills in both languages.

Date Posted

Closing Date

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 authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.