Launch Planning Manager

Launch Planning Manager

Location: Gaithersburg MD

Introduction to role:

Are you ready to turn complex cross-functional launches into coordinated moments that bring medicines to patients faster As Launch Planning Manager you will orchestrate high-stakes highly visible launches that enable our Commercial teams to complete with precision and pace ensuring the right activity happens at the right time to achieve impact.

You will partner with Franchise Heads Brand Directors Medical Affairs Market Access and Commercial Excellence to align plans remove blockers and keep momentum. This role sits at the center of how we power the enterpriseconnecting diverse experts setting clear ways of working and ensuring every milestone lands on time. Can you bring clarity pace and confidence to moments that matter most

Accountabilities:

Launch Plan Set-up and Management: Establish the core launch plan and ways of working with cross-functional partners; align on activities dependencies tracking and critical metrics; and onboard team members quickly so everyone is ready to deliver from day one.

Stakeholder Leadership and Communication: Serve as the primary point of contact for the brand launch team; run cadence meetings and Launch Readiness Reviews; communicate milestones and risks to senior leaders; and keep collaborators engaged and accountable.

Integrated Project Planning and Execution: Coordinate across medical diagnostics labeling market access marketing sales and operations to drive alignment and commitment; manage change control and risk governance; and ensure Day 0 tasks are sequenced and tracked for flawless execution.

Risk Management and Issue Resolution: Proactively identify bottlenecks and interdependencies; develop mitigation plans; and make timely decisions that protect critical paths and launch dates.

Quality Compliance and Continuous Improvement: Contribute to our Launch Excellence Community by sharing insights; lead post-launch reviews and lessons learned; and translate findings into actionable improvements and playbooks that set the standard for future launches.

Impact and Outcomes: Deliver launches that are on-time customer-ready and field-ready; improve visibility of progress and risks; and create repeatable frameworks that help teams move faster and more effectively launch after launch.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Bachelors degree
• 5-7 years of proven experience in project management preferably in a launch planning or commercial operations capacity within the pharmaceutical or a related industry.
• Demonstrated excellence in stakeholder management and relationship-building skills with experience working effectively in a complex matrix environment.
• Strong ability to deliver complex highly visible projects against tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in project management practices and methodologies.
• Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• A self-motivated resilient and proactive approach.
• Excellent communication facilitation and leadership skills.
• Experience with risk management change control and dependency management.
• Self-motivated resilient and highly organized; with an understanding of how to prioritize effectively
• Managing and driving excellence and continuous improvement
• Ability to work in a team matrix environment
• Able to work in a changing environment as no two launches will be the same!
• Ability to think quickly and work well under pressure

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Professional certification such as PMP PgMP or PRINCE2
• Experience leading pharmaceutical product launches across multiple indications or markets
• Familiarity with Medical Legal Regulatory (MLR) review processes and tools such as Veeva Vault PromoMats or equivalent
• Proven ability to build critical metric dashboards and leverage analytics to track readiness and performance
• Experience coordinating Day 0 command centers and field readiness across sales and operations
• Knowledge of diagnostics labeling and supply readiness dependencies
• Lean or Six Sigma training focused on continuous improvement
• Advanced degree in business life sciences or a related field

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $125056 to $ positions offer eligibility for various incentivesan 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.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing -person working gives us the platform we need to connect work at pace and challenge perceptions. Thats why we work on average a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesnt mean were not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility.

Why AstraZeneca:

Join a company where your planning expertise directly accelerates life-changing treatments to patients. You will work with diverse experts who come together to solve complex challenges in real time using innovative digital tools smart automation and data-driven decision-making to drive better outcomes. We value ambition and kindness in equal measure offering a connected global community that shares knowledge learns fast and supports you to take ownership challenge the norm and build a career that grows alongside our bold pipeline and evolving technology landscape.

Ready to orchestrate launches that change livesapply today and help deliver treatments to patients sooner!

Date Posted

Closing Date

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and 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.