Head of IT & Digital, Philippines

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’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.

Job Description

At AstraZeneca we believe in the potential of our people and that you’ll develop beyond what you thought possible. We make the most of your skills and passion by actively supporting you to see what you can achieve no matter where you start with us.

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world's most serious diseases. AstraZeneca is one of only a handful of pure-play biopharmaceutical companies to span the entire value chain of a medicine from discovery, early- and late-stage development to manufacturing and distribution, and the global commercialisation of primary care, specialty care-led and specialty care medicines that transform lives. Our primary focus is on three key areas of healthcare: Cardiovascular and Metabolic disease (CVMD); Oncology; and Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmunity (RIA). We are also active in the Infection, Neuroscience and Gastrointestinal (ING) and Rare Disease areas.

Background of the Role

The Asia Area Commercial business consists of India, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam. We have a total of about 3,400 employees and a revenue of close to US$1.4 billion. Asia Area is a dynamic, collaborative and fast-growing business. Note that China, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia and New Zealand are not part of the Asian Area but there is collaboration with these countries from time to time.

At AstraZeneca, our IT organisation is pushing the boundaries of technology to enable the digitisation and transformation of the business. In Commercial IT we have moved from a traditional, reactive IT function to a more strategic, proactive, value-generating team. We are focussed on smoothing the patient and HCP journey through Digital Innovation and supporting the growth of the business through impactful launches, field effectiveness and digital / Omnichannel capabilities – all founded on deep partnerships with our business colleagues. This role is a key link to  commercial leadership, in particular, the country president.

Role

We are looking to appoint a Head of IT & Digital for Philippines. This role is part of the country leadership team and so the Head must be able to understand the local business, the local healthcare regulatory environment and engage with the country leadership team to agree the most appropriate IT and Digital strategies to support business priorities. Additionally the role will engage with the Director of IT & Digital, Asian Area to obtain direction and guidance and must also navigate the complexities of regional and global IT support and delivery.

Key focus areas currently are:

• Omnichannel and Digital marketing for both patients and HCPs
• E-commerce and consumerisation
• Internal innovation
• External innovation through partners and start-up ecosystems
• Automation and simplification including through artificial intelligence opportunities
• Analytics, insights and data governance
• Support and implementation of business systems to office and field staff

This role will manage a small local team but will be adept at working with and influencing business teams, above market IT teams, partners, vendors and anyone that is key to delivery and support of the key focus areas and business as usual systems.

Accountabilities and Responsibilities

In Country

• Develop an in-depth understanding of business strategies and needs for the future and ensure alignment with the IT and Digital strategies.
• Drive the IT & Digital vision and strategy and gain commitment at senior levels to the strategy and related initiatives.
• Support business change, acting as a single point of contact for senior stakeholders, facilitating  synergies and alignment across the area.
• Develop operating plans, negotiate, align and manage budgets, ensure governance and compliance standards are met and adhered to
• Implement appropriate performance measurement standards and techniques to ensure effective, timely and quality initiatives that support business objectives.
• Stay abreast of technology, data and digital trends and communicate with senior leaders about the trends and implications
• Proactively identify opportunities to deliver innovative solutions to customer challenges that provide real business advantage.
• Look to create opportunities with external players such as innovation startups and innovation hubs.
• Manage the  Philippines IT team embracing incusion, diversity, continuous improvement and high performance cultures.
• Recruit, lead, develop and motivate staff to achieve objectives and deliver competitive.
• Use the annual Pulse survey to analyse the satisfaction of the business and the IT team and seek to continuously improve.
• Work closely with the Campus IT and Site IT teams to deliver the appropriate level of service to the business

In Area

• Coordinate with and leverage the Asia Area Service leads to deliver on the IT and Digital strategies for the market
• Contribute to the Asian Area IT & Digital Strategy and ensure alignment at market level while ensuring that market strategies, requirements and constraints are understood
• Encourage proactive collaboration and communication between markets in the Asian Cluster (and beyond) to leverage best practice, scalability and synergies.
• Contribute to driving Digital transformation across the all markets in the cluster

Above Market/Area

• Coordinate with other stakeholders in the wider international team, including, but not limited to, Campus IT, Asia IT&D service-line managers, technical teams (including our Global Innovation and Technology Centre) and International functional leads.
• Assess, prioritise and effectively communicate customer needs, and initiate projects in partnership with the International Region IT team.
• Oversee the delivery of above market projects into the market.

Essential for the Role:

• Experience of working and leading teams and stakeholders in a global organisation with complex/geographical context
• Experience of leading business area strategy
• Experience of leading teams with a demonstrable track record of motivational and achievement oriented leadership
• Experience of leading teams in a matrix organisation
• Ability to work well in and across diverse global Teams
• Strong experience of developing relationships with senior internal customers and suppliers
• The ability to influence at all levels of an organisation
• Budget management experience
• Experience of programme management
• Experience in changing new ways of working transforming culture (i.e. Agile, Design Thinking, Lean)
• Strong experience planning, deploying and maintaining Commercial IT capabilities especially Business Information, Digital channels and Field Capabilities
• Strong networking and consulting skills
• Strong understanding of Digital Health, Martech, Generative AI and other Digital Solutions
• English language proficiency

Desirable for the Role:

• Degree or relevant business qualification
• Experience in the Pharmaceutical or similar industry
• Experience of developing partnerships with Digital and startup ecosystems
• Planning and delivery of Digital transformation capabilities
• Strong data strategy background
• Strong track record of delivering Digital solutions with clear outcome metrics
• Ability to Identify and deliver POCs of innovative technology solutions
• Leader within Pharmaceutical thought leadership networks and organisations
• Strong business transformation mindset
• Advanced proficiency in strategic planning, change enablement and innovation

Key Stakeholders

Internal (to AZ or team)

• Asia IT&D Lead and Asia service-line managers
• Local IT&D team
• Above Market IT&D teams including International IT&D capability leads, project managers, colleagues, and peers
• Local Country President and leadership team
• Business / functional representatives within the Marketing Company (e.g., SFE, Marketing, Medical and Brand Managers)
• Other local innovation or digital staff
• Internal technical teams, primarily GTC

External (to AZ)

• 3rd party suppliers
• Digital innovators and tech start-ups hubs
• Other external network relationships

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.

At AstraZeneca, we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science, challenge convention and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. To embrace differences and take bold actions to drive the change needed to meet global healthcare and sustainability challenges.

There is no better place to make a difference in medicine, patients, and society. An inclusive culture where you will connect different thinking to generate new and valuable opportunities. Where you will find a commitment to lifelong learning, growth and development for all.

Are you ready to join us at a crucial stage of our journey in becoming a digital and data-led enterprise? Make the impossible possible by building partnerships and ecosystems, creating new ways of working and driving scale and speed to deliver exponential growth. Apply now to be part of our diverse team that works inclusively to drive change!

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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.