Business Support Coordinator

Job Site Location = Gaithersburg (JBB) 

100% On site

Hematology R&D – Translational Medicine 

At AstraZeneca, we follow the science to deliver life‑changing medicines. Our purpose drives everything we do — from advancing innovative research to fostering a collaborative, high‑performance culture for our people. 

This Senior Business Support Coordinator role provides advanced business, operational, and communications support to Hematology R&D Translational Medicine (TM) leadership. Reporting to the Director of TM Strategy & Business Improvement, the role operates with significant autonomy, judgment, and discretion, enabling effective leadership engagement, operational execution, and organizational alignment across a dynamic, global environment. 

This position is based in Gaithersburg and plays a visible role in communications, engagement, and coordination across the TM organization, in addition to executive and operational support. 

Key Responsibilities 

Executive & Business Operations Support 

• Provide high‑level, proactive business support to TM leadership, independently managing complex executive calendars, prioritization, and scheduling across global time zones. 

• Exercise sound judgment to resolve scheduling conflicts, assess urgency, and anticipate leadership needs. 

• Coordinate domestic and international travel, expenses, and logistics with accuracy, discretion, and follow‑through. 

• Prepare high‑quality presentations, reports, briefing materials, and documents under tight timelines, often from incomplete or draft inputs. 

Leadership Meetings & Governance Enablement 

• Plan, coordinate, and support leadership meetings, forums, and offsites, including agenda development, materials preparation, minutes, and action tracking. 

• Advise leaders on meeting structure, flow, and logistics to ensure efficient, outcome‑driven engagements. 

• Support cross‑functional interactions with Business Planning & Operations, Communications, Finance, HR, and other R&D support partners. 

Communications & Engagement (Expanded Scope) 

• Support Gaithersburg’s based organizational engagement activities such as townhalls, leadership cascades, workshops, and internal events by managing communications, logistics, and follow‑up.  

• Draft, edit, and coordinate internal communications on behalf of TM leadership, including team updates, announcements, group emails, and collaboration platform posts (e.g., Workvivo). 

• Tailor messaging for different audiences, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with TM and broader R&D priorities. 

• Serve as a trusted point of contact to help connect people, information, and activities across the TM organization. 

Vendor Contract & Operational Coordination (Expanded Scope) 

• Provide business and operational support for Translational Medicine by coordinating vendor contracts, including initiation, tracking, renewals, and alignment with TM operational needs. 

• Partner with internal stakeholders (e.g., Finance, Procurement, Operations) to ensure contracts are appropriately scoped, documented, and managed. 

• Track key contract milestones and proactively flag risks, renewals, or actions required to maintain continuity of service. 

Systems, Processes & Continuous Improvement 

• Maintain and manage information across key systems (e.g., Workday, Capacitor, Assigner, MyTime, PlanIT), ensuring data accuracy and accessibility. 

• Apply strong knowledge of AstraZeneca processes, policies, and systems to drive efficient execution. 

• Lead or support special projects focused on operational excellence, communications, or business improvement initiatives. 

• As a member of the administrative support community, provide back‑up support, knowledge sharing, and contribute to the development of best practices and standard ways of working. 

Required Education, Experience & Capabilities 

• Min High School diploma required; Bachelor’s degree preferred. 

• 5+ years of progressively responsible administrative or business support experience, ideally supporting senior leaders. 

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with proven ability to interact confidently with senior leaders and diverse stakeholders. 

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, maintain confidentiality, and meet tight deadlines. 

• Demonstrated ability to work independently, anticipate needs, and apply sound judgment. 

• Experience working in fast‑paced, matrixed environments with evolving priorities. 

Desired / Differentiating Experience 

• Experience supporting global organizations across multiple time zones. 

• Prior experience in a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or R&D environment. 

• Experience supporting communications, engagement initiatives, or leadership events. 

• Exposure to vendor coordination, contract tracking, or operational support activities.