Senior Director, R&D IT - Operational Excellence

Are you ready to lead the charge in transforming R&D IT into a high-performing powerhouse? Are you ready to disrupt an industry and change lives?  Then AstraZeneca may be right for you!

As the Senior Director, R&D IT - Operational Excellence, you'll work across our global function, supporting the R&D IT VP & Leadership Team on their journey towards excellence. Your role will be pivotal in ensuring progress across key initiatives and portfolio maturity. You'll coordinate operational efficiency, align strategies, and identify ongoing improvement opportunities. With a focus on quality, change, efficiency, and effectiveness, you'll drive outcomes that transform our ability to develop life-changing medicines. Are you prepared to take ownership and run with it?

Accountabilities

R&D IT Performance

• Collaborate with the Strategy, Performance & Quality (SPQ) team to drive strategy alignment and governance.
• Support identification and tracking of AZ IT goals and achievements.
• Be responsible for R&D IT strategy execution through governance and tracking processes.
• Apply analytics for continuous improvement opportunities.
• Conduct benchmarking for strategic thought leadership.
• Optimize capabilities and set optimization targets.
  

R&D IT Strategy

• Partner with leadership to evolve the R&D IT strategy aligned to IT2030.
• Develop a strategic people plan to meet current and future needs.
• Track key strategic priorities and achievements.
• Facilitate MTP and RBU report production.
• Maintain Capability Roadmaps.
• Develop and lead a sustainability agenda.
  

R&D IT Operations

• Ensure operational governance standards are adopted.
• Support data accuracy in CMDB and Project Portfolio.
• Deliver monthly Town Halls.
• Coordinate leadership communications and stakeholder engagement.
• Celebrate key achievements.

R&D IT Transformation

• Build networks with SPQ Leaders, HR Partner, and Finance Partner.
• Ensure effective organization design and recruitment.
• Act as Pulse Champion to socialize results and agree on improvement areas.

Essential Skills/Experience

• Bachelor's degree in related field
• Minimum 10+ years of relevant experience
• Experience with senior leaders for strategic business performance optimization
• Effective networking skills
• Extensive experience in collaborating with cross-functional teams
• Understanding of deploying OKRs/KPIs metrics
• Experience in strategic justification and business case formulation
• Strong budgeting and finance concepts understanding
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to influence at a senior level
• Outstanding presentation skills
• Effective analytical skills
• Knowledge of digital trends

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. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

AstraZeneca is where technology meets science to make a meaningful impact. We empower our teams to innovate, explore new solutions, and drive cross-company change. By using brand new technology and data, we are committed to transforming healthcare and saving lives. Our diverse minds work inclusively together, creating a dynamic environment where learning never stops. Here, you can shape your path with support all the way.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now to join our team!

The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $182,645 to $273,968. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Date Posted

27-Jun-2025

Closing Date

13-Jul-2025Our 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.