Associate Director, Cell Therapy Territory Operations Manager

In AstraZeneca's Cell Therapy 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 complex diseases. We have the potential to grow our pipeline and positively impact the lives 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.

The Associate Director – Territory Operations Manager (AD-TOM) is a regional expert supporting Patient Operations and project teams in cell therapy. As a senior technical leader, the role sets and implements compliant policies and standards for treatment centers, partners with Regional Operations Directors (RODs) on site strategy, leads research and internal reporting, and maintains up-to-date best practices.

The role expands AZ’s cell therapy footprint in oncology by building patient-centered service lines and leading complex engagements with site leadership and frontline providers. It delivers operational and clinical guidance for trials and commercial products, leads site activation, and provides ongoing operational, quality, and clinical oversight post-activation. The AD-TOM is a field based, regional role supporting the Pacific West territory with strong preference for candidate to be based in California (Los Angeles area) and will report to a Regional Operations Director (ROD).  

You Will:

• Lead and support strategic initiatives across clinical and commercial cell therapy from development to post-market.

• Be a key leader within Internal AZ teams (Program Management, QA, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Medical Affairs, Market Access, Compliance, Sales/Marketing).

• Establish service lines with external partners (PIs, Physicians, Nursing, Apheresis, Cell Therapy Lab, other HCPs/leadership).

• Serve as SME, driving decisions and projects at multi-country/local levels; influence strategy, governance, and cross-functional execution.

• Acts as the technical expert and authoritative source of knowledge in cell therapy workflows and brings expertise to site interactions.

• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders at assigned Sites.

• Operate within regulatory/accreditation standards (e.g., FACT) ensuring compliance, audit readiness, and continuous improvement.

• Guide clinical workflows; ensure standards; advance apheresis excellence; optimize product handling; inform health outcomes.

• Act as primary operations readiness liaison; collaborate with Supply Chain to align logistics and site needs.

• Provide exemplary customer service while building business relations with clinical/operational leaders.

• Lead cross-functional meetings to develop product/patient workflows for trials and future commercial products.

• Maintain strong collaboration with Program Management, SMM, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, Medical, Commercial, Cell Therapy Hub, to manage customer centers and clinical care for the portfolio.

• Oversee operational/clinical aspects of raw material collection, product receipt/storage/distribution/infusion, and COI/COC.

• Design and deliver training to PIs, MD, Nursing Staff, Apheresis, and Cell Therapy Laboratory and Coordinator staff

• Lead Site activation using risk-based tools for certification, training, and monitoring.

• Train Site HCPs on product needs; ensure COI/COC access for trained individuals with Cell Therapy Hub.

• Oversee Site logistics and manage regional account changes with Cell Therapy Hub.

• Respond to SOP deviations with expertise and collegiality.

• Support/own quality records (Deviations, CAPA, Change Control) with Cell Therapy Hub and QA.

• Travel up to 50%.

You Have:

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in Nursing, Physician Assistant or related discipline with thorough knowledge/hands-on experience in Cell Therapy.

• 8+ years' experience in cell therapy with progressive leadership.

• Expertise in service lines (infrastructure, resourcing, costs, quality metrics).

• Proven delivery to timelines, cost, and quality; collaboration with internal/external providers.

• Excellent knowledge of cell therapy standards/regulations.

• Experience selecting/overseeing external providers and developing contracts.

Nice to Have:

• Advanced scientific degree; broad understanding across patient operations, manufacturing interfaces, quality, regulatory, market access; project management experience.

• Program/Quality qualifications (e.g., PMP, CPHQ).

• Experience across academic/Sponsor settings and countries.

• Early-phase delivery across product lifecycle and multiple therapeutic areas.

• Salesforce or similar CRM experience.

• Preference for candidate to be based in the Los Angeles, CA area.

#celltherapy

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $150,000 to $225,000. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans. 

Date Posted

18-May-2026

Closing Date

22-May-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.