Personal Assistant, Oncology R&D and North America HR

Personal Assistant, Oncology R&D HR and North America HR

Location: Gaithersburg, MD

Introduction to role:

Are you ready to elevate executive effectiveness and coordinate high-impact HR initiatives that help our science-led teams move faster for patients? This role centers on orchestrating the day-to-day operations of the Vice President of Human Resources for Oncology R&D and North America HR Country Lead, while partnering with colleagues across a global network to deliver clear outcomes.

You will be a trusted partner who turns priorities into action—protecting focus time, shaping leadership materials, and driving follow-through on decisions. Do you thrive in fast-paced environments where precision, discretion, and digital fluency unlock productivity across time zones and partners?

Accountabilities:

Executive and Administrative Support: Manage a complex global calendar, prioritize meetings across time zones, and coordinate domestic and international travel, expenses, and routine administrative processes to keep leadership focused on the most important work.

Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a key point of contact for internal and external partners, ensure timely and professional communication, anticipate needs, and proactively resolve scheduling conflicts to remove friction and build trust.

Confidentiality and Judgment: Handle highly confidential and sensitive information with professionalism and discretion, exercising sound judgment and independence in a dynamic environment.

Leadership and Meeting Support: Coordinate agendas, materials, pre-reads, logistics, and follow-up actions for leadership meetings, business reviews, and team events; capture decisions, track action items, and deliver polished presentations and executive communications on time.

Project Coordination and Operational Support: Provide coordination for HR projects and business initiatives; maintain trackers, timelines, and status updates; support data gathering, reporting, and dashboards for leadership reviews; assist with engagement events, offsites, and team activities.

Digital Enablement and Continuous Improvement: See opportunities to simplify processes, improve efficiency, and leverage digital tools; support change initiatives and other HR priorities to enhance ways of working across a global organization.

Outcomes and Impact: Drive disciplined execution of HR priorities, strengthen leadership focus, and elevate communications that help teams operate at pace—resulting in smoother delivery and clearer alignment on what matters most.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 5 plus years of experience supporting senior leaders within a complex, global organization.
• Outstanding organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high standards of accuracy and professionalism.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building capabilities.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Teams.
• Experience using AI-powered productivity tools (such as Microsoft Copilot) to support administrative, communication, reporting, and/or project coordination activities.
• Demonstrated interest in emerging technologies and AI, with a proactive approach to identifying opportunities to simplify work and enhance productivity.
• Experience coordinating projects, tracking deliverables, and managing administrative processes.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Experience in Human Resources or a related business function.
• Experience supporting VP-level or senior executives.
• Experience developing presentations, dashboards, and leadership communications.
• Demonstrated ability to improve processes and introduce more efficient ways of working.
• Experience working across geographies and cultures within a global company.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Why AstraZeneca

Here, ambitious, digitally savvy people unite to power the enterprise behind scientific breakthroughs. You will collaborate across disciplines, apply modern technology to streamline how work gets done, and see a clear line from your contribution to better outcomes for patients. We value kindness alongside ambition and give you room to think differently—bringing bright minds together to make fast, informed decisions and turn ideas into reality.

If you are ready to shape executive impact and accelerate high-priority HR initiatives, take the next step and apply to create momentum that matters!

Date Posted

Closing Date

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.