Job Description

JOB TITLE: Director \xe2\x80\x93 Axial Program (S/4HANA)

CAREER LEVEL: G

Leverage technology to impact patients and ultimately save lives

Do you have expertise in, and passion for, information technology? Would you like to apply your expertise to impact the IT strategy in a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life changing medicines? If so, AstraZeneca might be the one for you!

ABOUT ASTRAZENECA

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world\xe2\x80\x99s most serious disease. But we\xe2\x80\x99re more than one of the world\xe2\x80\x99s leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca we\xe2\x80\x99re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work.

ABOUT OUR IT TEAM

It\xe2\x80\x99s a dynamic and results-oriented environment to work in \xe2\x80\x93 but that\xe2\x80\x99s why we like it. There are countless opportunities to learn and grow, whether that\xe2\x80\x99s exploring new technologies in hackathons, or redefining the roles and work of colleagues, forever. Shape your own path, with support all the way. Diverse minds that work cross- functionally and broadly together.

About the role

Axial is a strategic multi-year business transformation program helping AstraZeneca achieve its 2030 Bold Ambition. Axial will deliver the new backbone for our innovation, growth, and performance, and the technology driving Axial is SAP S/4HANA and its Business Technology Platform(s).

The Axial Technology team actively partners with our business colleagues to deliver cutting-edge technology capabilities to fulfil AstraZeneca\xe2\x80\x99s bold ambition of delivering life changing medicines to patients. Our ambition is to provide best-in-class expertise and leadership in technological solutions and Information Delivery that empowers our colleagues in the field and accelerates and improves strategic decision-making for a diverse range of partners. The team engages with some of the most exciting business areas within AstraZeneca and is faced with solving for a variety of complex business and IT challenges.

This role will be a member of the Axial Technology Leadership Team and reports to the VP ERP Transformation Technology (Russell Smith). This role will also sit on the GITC IT Leadership Team with dotted line reporting into the GITC Lead VP (Siva Padmanabhan).

The Axial Lead will be accountable for the scaling-up of capacity/capability for the program technology teams in AstraZeneca\xe2\x80\x99s Global Technology & Innovation Centres (GITC) in Chennai and Guadalajara. This role will manage a large team of IT professionals, both internal and third-party, and be a focal point in managing the local relationship with the chosen system integrator.

This is a senior strategic role directly driving complex outcomes for our business and the program. It will require close co-operation with the wider IT organisation and suppliers, and an ability to influence and drive difficult decisions against often competing sets of priorities.

The role will focus on delivering a diverse set of complex net new services and solutions which will accelerate AstraZeneca\xe2\x80\x99s ability to run and transform our critical business S/4HANA platforms. The role will work closely as a peer with other IT GITC Tower Leads who will be responsible for delivering key capabilities in: -

SAP Technology and Testing/Automation Services (Enterprise Capability and Solutions)

Cloud, Infrastructure and Cyber (Enterprise Technology Services)

Business Technology Groups (especially Operations and Enabling Units IT)

Enterprise Data, Analytics, and AI (IGNITE)

The role will be encouraged to continuously develop the team and identify and build new (non-duplicative to existing IT) capabilities in the GITCs to help them be the engine room for leading Digital Transformation across business areas supported. The role should have expertise for delivering business value via leading-edge technological solutions, digital practices. This ability and desire will be tempered with a strong understanding and respect for compliance, data privacy and ethical technology considerations. This role will be accountable for ensuring all program deliverables delivered from the GITC (from any part of IT) are delivered on-time and to the required level of quality. This will involve complex problem solving and analytical ways of thinking.

The role and core accountabilities

Working with line managers globally, accountable for the management of all Axial GITC staff including recruitment, retention, reward, and disciplinary processes, working with local HR business partners.

Accountable for ensuring, with the Axial Technology leadership team, the tight integration of the GITC teams into Axial processes, ways of working, culture, and operating model. Will partner with Axial and GITC LTs to ensure we have the right structures, leaders, work in place for successful GITC delivery.

Operating as the primary interface with our chosen strategic System Integrator for the project for all delivery from near or far-shore locations.

Accountable for the identification, engagement, alignment, and integration of key local partners in the Axial mission including academic, third-party technology suppliers, and startups etc.

Accountable for partnering with, and leveraging the full capability of, other IT Towers in the GITC.

Ensuring alignment of the Axial capability with wider GITC and IT strategy, vision, policies, and processes.

Be an active member of the GITC site leadership team, building the brand and identity of the GITC capability in India (and Mexico).

Accountable for leading and continuously managing a team (direct and indirect reporting lines).

Build and support the Axial GITC teams through hiring, coaching, mentoring, feedback, and hands-on career development that helps drive high quality software delivery.

Relentlessly passionate about ensuring the operational aspects of technology are maintained all within agreed compliance and privacy guidelines as well as meeting or exceeding Business expectations.

Optimally leading a complex dual location matrix organization with an agile approach to proactively manage demand with the business and articulate mutual understanding of priorities and value.

Maintaining a strong understanding of the latest Industry/Technology trends and promote platform ways of working.

Exhibiting a keen eye for anticipating future trends and ensuring AZ are early adopters as appropriate.

Working in close partnership with Business and IT partners and ensuring a focus on collaborative working and a Win: Win approach

As needed, the Leader maintains and provides technical expertise to aligned implementation platform teams working on the development, configuration, testing, release, maintenance, and improvement of Axial platforms and products.

Education, qualifications and experience:

Essential

Industry recognized experience in building and operating In-House/Captive or global technology service organizations.

Experience in leading large complex technology organization\xe2\x80\x99s (200+) and providing leadership/development to other managers and leading a diverse range of activities through others in a hybrid line management and matrix organization.

Business Transformation implementation experience with a large technology component, ideally S/4HANA

Extensive experience working with local large system integrators on global delivery programs.

Viewed as a Thought Leader in the SAP ecosystem, who is forward thinking with independent perspectives on Technology and IT leadership.

Evidence of leading and developing strategic solutions and business cases providing measurable business Value (Idea through to Delivery/Measurement).

Experience of working with modern IT tooling associated with large scale program delivery, for example JIRA and Automated Testing tools.

Experience in a validated environment with operational awareness of GxP and SOX.

Desirable

Experience working with the core business areas of Operations and Enabling Units (Finance, Compliance and Legal).

Experience in handling technology portfolios across multiple functional areas.

Experience working in the Biopharmaceutical/Life Sciences industry (not essential).

Educated to a Degree level in a relevant subject.

Skills and capabilities:

Essential

Alignment with AZ Values and Behaviours

Agile Enterprise mentality

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Self-starter who continuously develops new skills and proactively leads own career and development.

Excellent influencing, networking, and collaborative working skills

Able to lead difficult discussions, manage expectations and deliver solutions across complex partner groups.

Ability to work well in and lead/collaborate across diverse matrixed global teams.

Expertise in Portfolio planning, project delivery and change management and problem solving.

Experienced sustainable relationship management skills with the ability to influence others to achieve objectives.

Desirable

Experience working in different countries/cultures.

Confidence presenting to large internal and external audiences.

WHY JOIN US?

We\xe2\x80\x99re a network of high-reaching self-starters who contribute to something far bigger. We enable AstraZeneca to perform at its peak by delivering premier technology and data solutions.

We\xe2\x80\x99re not afraid to take ownership and run with it. Empowered with unrivalled freedom. Put simply, it\xe2\x80\x99s because we make a significant impact. Everything we do matters.

SO, WHAT\xe2\x80\x99S NEXT?

Are you already envisioning yourself joining our team? Good, because we\xe2\x80\x99d love to hear from you! Click the link to apply and we\xe2\x80\x99ll be in touch as soon as we can.

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE?

Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Date Posted 20-Sept-2023

Closing Date 19-Oct-2023

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

AstraZeneca