Director, Generative AI – Chemical Development
AstraZenecaMacclesfield, England, United Kingdom
Added 11 Aug · still live
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£39,900
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role may qualify for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 2111 is an eligible occupation, but we classified this role with low confidence (46% match). If the code is right — and AstraZeneca is a licensed sponsor — it should qualify, but double-check the occupation eligibility rules against the actual role.
About the role
Introduction to Role
Are you ready to shape the future of pharmaceutical development through the power of Generative AI? At AstraZeneca, we are pushing the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines. We are seeking a Director, Generative AI – Chemical Development to drive the strategy, prioritisation, and adoption of Generative AI and agentic workflows across Chemical Development. In this pivotal role, you will transform how our scientists make decisions, accelerate CMC delivery, and embed intelligent automation into everyday ways of working.
Accountabilities
As the Director, Generative AI – Chemical Development, you will define and deliver the GenAI and agent strategy for Chemical Development, ensuring alignment with business processes, CMC milestones, quality, compliance, and AstraZeneca's enterprise digital strategy. You will identify and drive high-value opportunities across areas such as technical report generation, knowledge mining, experiment planning support, documentation workflows, risk assessment, and regulatory content support.
Working closely with the Chem Dev Business Process Network, data and process modelling experts, Enterprise AI, and Lab of the Future teams, you will establish a robust prioritisation framework for use cases grounded in value, feasibility, risk, data readiness, and change impact. Partnering with scientific, quality, regulatory, data, IT, and compliance stakeholders, you will ensure that solutions are usable, governed, and scalable.
You will build organisational confidence in GenAI by setting clear expectations for responsible use, human oversight, validation, and risk management, and by creating a roadmap to embed AI into routine scientific workflows and laboratory and development activities.
Typical responsibilities include owning the Chemical Development GenAI portfolio and defining a multi-year roadmap that positions AI as a core capability underpinning future scientific excellence. You will chair or contribute to governance forums for AI use case approval and value realisation, define success metrics such as cycle time reduction, document quality improvement, knowledge retrieval efficiency, and scientist adoption, and communicate vision and progress to senior stakeholders.
Essential Skills / Experience
Are you ready to shape the future of pharmaceutical development through the power of Generative AI? At AstraZeneca, we are pushing the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines. We are seeking a Director, Generative AI – Chemical Development to drive the strategy, prioritisation, and adoption of Generative AI and agentic workflows across Chemical Development. In this pivotal role, you will transform how our scientists make decisions, accelerate CMC delivery, and embed intelligent automation into everyday ways of working.
Accountabilities
As the Director, Generative AI – Chemical Development, you will define and deliver the GenAI and agent strategy for Chemical Development, ensuring alignment with business processes, CMC milestones, quality, compliance, and AstraZeneca's enterprise digital strategy. You will identify and drive high-value opportunities across areas such as technical report generation, knowledge mining, experiment planning support, documentation workflows, risk assessment, and regulatory content support.
Working closely with the Chem Dev Business Process Network, data and process modelling experts, Enterprise AI, and Lab of the Future teams, you will establish a robust prioritisation framework for use cases grounded in value, feasibility, risk, data readiness, and change impact. Partnering with scientific, quality, regulatory, data, IT, and compliance stakeholders, you will ensure that solutions are usable, governed, and scalable.
You will build organisational confidence in GenAI by setting clear expectations for responsible use, human oversight, validation, and risk management, and by creating a roadmap to embed AI into routine scientific workflows and laboratory and development activities.
Typical responsibilities include owning the Chemical Development GenAI portfolio and defining a multi-year roadmap that positions AI as a core capability underpinning future scientific excellence. You will chair or contribute to governance forums for AI use case approval and value realisation, define success metrics such as cycle time reduction, document quality improvement, knowledge retrieval efficiency, and scientist adoption, and communicate vision and progress to senior stakeholders.
Essential Skills / Experience
- Strong understanding of Generative AI, machine learning, scientific informatics, automation, and digital technologies
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and influencing senior stakeholders across complex organisations
- Proven ability to lead organisational transformation and technology adoption
- Excellent strategic thinking, communication, and executive influencing skills
- Application of GenAI in a scientific setting or similar, with a strong understanding of chemical development workflows
- Expertise in LLMs, RAG, AI agents, and prompt engineering
- Proven ability to translate scientific workflows into AI use cases and product requirements
- Understanding of GxP, data integrity, compliance, and governance
- Experience leading cross-functional digital or AI initiatives
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- Experience with scientific documentation, knowledge management, and regulated data
- Proven ability to lead organisational transformation and technology adoption
- Pharmaceutical CMC experience
At AstraZeneca, we are driven by our purpose to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines. Here, you'll be part of a team that thrives on innovation, where digital and AI are transforming every stage of drug development. We foster an inclusive culture that champions diverse perspectives, empowers bold thinking, and rewards those who challenge the status quo. Join us and help redefine what's possible in pharmaceutical development.
So, What's Next?
Are you ready to bring new insights and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant! We have one seat available, and we hope it's yours. Apply now to join us on this exciting journey.
Date Posted
10-Aug-2026
Closing Date
29-Aug-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.
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.
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with AstraZeneca, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
SOC 2111 · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · ~19k in sampleP25 £32k~P75 £46k
£26kmedian £39kvisa floor £42k£46k
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Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. AstraZeneca holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 2111 going rate of £39,900. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.