Senior Associate – Strategic Planning & Operations

Career Category Clinical Development Job Description Increasing demand for observational research (now commonly referred to as real-world evidence [RWE]) from regulatory and reimbursement authorities makes observational research a key component of drug development and commercialization.  Amgen's Center for Observational Research (CfOR) is a global organization with an industry-leading analytical capability that generates RWE to support business needs across a product’s lifecycle.  CfOR scientists partner with internal stakeholders and industry experts to design, conduct, interpret and publish observational research that informs decision-making from the early development of a molecule to the design of clinical trials and the safety and efficacy of Amgen medicines. We are seeking a Senior Associate, Strategic Planning & Operations , to join the Center for Observational Research (CfOR). This role will work with other Amgen functional teams to oversee and drive execution of CfOR’s operational projects and non-interventional studies ensuring timely completion within budget and at the highest quality. This role requires strong project management capabilities combined with a growth mindset and openness to leveraging emerging AI tools to improve productivity and drive CfOR-wide initiatives. Key Responsibilities : Financial & Supplier Management Execute and manage consulting, external research and data license contracts with commercial suppliers, healthcare professionals, and academic institutions Execute financial transactions, including purchase order processing, invoice verification, payment processing, and engaging with other functions to help plan and manage resource expenses, using Anaplan, Ariba or SAP software. Collaborate closely with cross functional team, including Legal, Global Strategic Sourcing, Compliance, Supplier Governance, Safety and Finance. Support resource and supplier expense planning. Plan and track study spend, and report changes to finance and budget holders. Manage payment inquiries that are received from HCPs (Healthcare Professionals), Scientists, Service Providers, etc. Perform supplier qualifications and assist in competitive bidding process if required. Conduct regular meetings with study leads to discuss operational activities. Identify potential department/cross functional process improvement activities. Track and review study milestones and deliverables ensuring accurate data population within internal systems. Strategic & Operational Excellence Support strategic initiatives and operational pilots Identify cross-functional process improvement opportunities Develop and maintain process flow diagrams Technology & Automation Support adoption of platforms (Smartsheet, Power BI, Power Automate, etc.) Identify opportunities to automate manual workflows Basic Qualifications: High school diploma and 10+ years of Scientific or Operations experience OR Associate degree and 8+ years of Scientific or Operations experience OR Bachelor’s degree and 6+ years of Scientific or Operations experience OR Master’s degree and 4+ years of Scientific or Operations experience Desirable Qualifications/Skills: Minimum of 3 years of project management experience, with 2+ years in pharma/biotech within regulated, cross-functional environments Effective communicator with strong written, verbal, and presentation abilities Hands-on experience with budgeting, vendor management, and regulated document management systems Demonstrates autonomy and reliability in managing tasks and contributing to team goals Highly organized, with the ability to prioritize and deliver on projects independently or collaboratively Quick learner with strong analytical skills and adaptability to new tools and concepts Demonstrated aptitude for collaboration & relationship building. Builds positive relationships and fosters collaboration with a proactive, “can-do” attitude Demonstrated proficiency & adaptability with related software tools (ChatGPT, Copilot, Smartsheet, Power BI, Power Automate, Miro, SharePoint, MS Teams, Office 365, etc.) Familiarity with drug commercialization & business practices Foundational understanding of Good Pharmacovigilance Practice (GPvP), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), FDA regulations, and relevant regulatory and compliance frameworks supporting clinical and commercial operations .