Head of Adoption, Global S/4HANA Programme (3 year FTC)

Head of Adoption, Global S/4HANA Programme (3 year FTC)

Luton

The Axial Programme (Global S/4HANA implementation)

We are one purpose-led global organisation. The enablers and innovators, ensuring that we can fulfil our mission to push the boundaries of science and discover and develop life-changing medicines. We take pride in working close to the cause, opening the locks to save lives, ultimately making a massive difference to the outside world. 

AstraZeneca (AZ) is in a period of strong growth and our employees have a united purpose to make a difference to patients around the world who need both our medicines and the ongoing developments from our science. In this journey AZ must continue to work across borders and with partners and new colleagues in a fast and seamless way. The ambition, size and complexity of the organisation, coupled with the opportunities afforded by new technology, has led the Board to approve a large scale transformation of the IT landscape by the replacement of current ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems with one global solution. The Axial Programme will be powered by S/4HANA a new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system which will be implemented right across the organisation and will provide our business with standardised processes, enhanced financial management, common data and real time reporting, transforming the way we work through our entire supply chain - from bench to patient. 

Our current technology is used by more than 20,000 employees daily, is foundational to all AZ entities and is central to most core business processes. This programme provides the opportunity for real transformation and to shape the way of working globally for many years to come.  This programme requires the best. Whether it be the technical skills, business understanding or change leadership, we want to ensure we have the strongest team deployed throughout. The programme seeks to deliver a world class change programme that leaves all employees with a fuller understanding of their role in the end-to-end nature of our global company. This programme will provide AZ with a competitive edge, to the benefits of its employees and patients

Introduction to Role:

The Head of Adoption leads the global strategy and execution to ensure people, processes, and operating models embrace S/4HANA enabled ways of working. The role drives measurable process and system adoption, embeds standard processes, and partners with local deployment entities to evidence realized value and sustain improvements post go‑-‑live.  This role also is key to drive and embed end user support model working with the relevant BAU teams, driving consistency, continuous improvement and sustainable adoption of continuous releases.

Accountabilities:

• Adoption Strategy and Roadmap: Define the global adoption vision, principles, and phased roadmap aligned to program waves and business value. Establish common standards, toolkits, and success measures across markets and functions.  Continue to support adoption by implementing relevant tactics such as WalkMe, behavioural nudges, communication and appropriate incentives.

• Builds strategic relationship with critical partners inside and outside of Axial – in particular the VP, Operations Business Lead, VP, Finance Business Lead & VP Global Deployment – to ensure Adoption strategy maintains a balance between Axial’s “Fit to Standard” / Enterprise Value focus and receiving organisations ultimate ownership of the new process, systems, ways of working and ultimate value realisation

• Develops and effective “hub and spoke” model, leveraging critical programme stakeholders to inform roadmap at a SET -1 (as well as legal entity) level.

• End User Support Model:  Drive and embed a scalable end user support model which includes technology support teams, local business process leads and global business functions.  Look for areas and opportunity for improvement with a focus on end users, supported with relevant KPIs.

• Lead global Process Champion Network during Axial deployment: Continue to coach the Axial global process champion network (regional change leads, super users, champions).   Focusing on driving adoption, embedding new releases, understanding challenges and sharing best ways of working. Chair relevant forums.

• Communications and Enablement: Deliver targeted, multi‑channel communications to targeted audience as and when required.

• Adoption Measurement and Insights: Define and operationalize adoption Key Perfomance Indicators s and OKRs, including process alignment, system utilization, data quality indicators, role proficiency, and productivity.

• Value Realization with Local Entities: Partner with markets/functions to set value hypotheses, baseline current performance, track post‑go‑live deltas, and attribute benefits to adoption (e.g., reduction in manual rework, improved on‑time close).

• Continuous Improvement: Establish mechanisms to capture user feedback, mine process data, and prioritize enhancements that improve usability, compliance, and business outcomes. Embed adoption metrics into BAU performance management.

• People Leadership: Build and lead a high performing‑ adoption team; coach regional change leads and super users; role model‑ modern change practices and evidence based‑ decision making.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Demonstrated success designing and delivering adoption strategies that measurably improved process alignment, data quality, and user productivity post launch‑.

• Track record in strategic business partnering, delivering change at pace through a complex, matrixed organisations.

• Hands on experience with SAP‑ enabled process domains (e.g., Order to Cash, Procure to Pay, Record to Report, Plan to Manufacture), including fit to standard approaches and implications for roles and controls.

• Demonstrable ability to establish critical metrics/OKRs for adoption and value realization; proficient in using process mining, analytics, and user telemetry to drive decisions.

• Strong leadership of distributed change networks and collaboration with SI partners, PMO, Release/Deployment, Data & Analytics, and Business Process Owners.

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or MBA preferred (or equivalent experience)

• Strategic Influence: Shapes executive decisions; secures sponsorship; aligns global standards with local realities without diluting value.

• Understand key components of change management and ability to design interventions to support behavioural change

• Data Driven Mindset: Uses adoption and process metrics to target interventions; comfortable with dashboards, process mining, and experimentation.

• Communication and Storytelling: Clear, concise, and audience specific narratives; translates complex change into practical, actionable messages.

• Builds high trust relationships with business leaders, markets, and delivery teams; navigates ambiguity and conflicting priorities.

• Holds teams to measurable outcomes; escalates intelligently; adapts quickly based on evidence and feedback.

• Instills learning loops; reduces workarounds; simplifies processes; champions user experience and compliance.

• People Leadership: Coaches and develops a global team and community of super users; fosters inclusion, psychological safety, and accountability.

Desirable Skills & Experience:

• Extensive ERP transformation experience with a consistent track record leading adoption/change for S/4HANA or large SAP programs across multiple regions and functions in complex, regulated environments.

• Familiarity with Walkme and digital adoption platforms (inapp guidance, knowledge bases, learning experience platforms).

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare. 

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.

Are you already imaging yourself joining our team?

Apply Today!

Date Posted

22-May-2026

Closing Date

07-Jun-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.