Mariam Murad has recently started a new position as Senior Manager, R&D Planning & Analytics, as part of a one-year job rotation assignment.
We asked her to tell us more about her new role and working life at Sobi.
- It’s a 12-month job rotation from Finance to Research & Development, I will oversee planning and analytics to ensure that portfolio programmes and in-line product support are efficient and appropriately resourced, that there is a sufficient foundation for decisions on resource allocation and budget, that R&D performance is comparable to benchmarks, and that planning and reporting are consistent across programmes. The key areas of responsibility are to lead the Time Reporting Improvement Project and be the R&D subject-matter expert working with Global Project and Portfolio Strategy for the Smartsheet based CAPRI tool (Consolidated Asset Planning and Reporting Initiative), including clinical study updates and dashboard development and maintenance.
Can you describe a usual workday?
- I am not sure I can since I just started this role, I will be working with the Time Reporting Improvement Project and a lot of interactions with R&D members and other functions regarding our planning and analytics systems and software such as Smartsheets and IFS time reporting.
What do you usually work with at Sobi, and how long have you been with the company?
- I am the R&D business controller in Finance and have been with the company since September 2015. I have worked as a business controller since 2011 and in Finance since 2006. I wanted to do something new and more challenging.
- Don’t get me wrong! There is a lot of excitement and tough challenges all the time in controlling, but I needed a new area that I was not familiar with, so I could develop further outside my comfort zone (I like challenges). I have been the R&D business controller since 2015, so I know the -business, but I have not been working in detail and at the depth that I will do now with the Project & Portfolio Management team. I am very excited to try this, and hopefully, I will deliver at an excellent level so I can be proud of my achievement and make my manager and team proud.
- Last year I took a year off for study leave; two courses I took at university were Project Management and Project Organisation. When this opportunity came, and I was offered this job rotation, I couldn’t say no. To be able to practice in real life some of the theories I learned during the courses will be exciting and developing.
What qualities are most important in this role?
- There are several qualities. You need to have strong analytical and financial skills, and be fluent in English (both written and verbal). Also, it’s important to be a collaborative team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills, able to engage with stakeholders with different backgrounds, flexible, structured, able to organise, prioritise and follow up, and be self-motivated and accountable with a proactive approach.