Axial Programme - Risk & Assurance Manager

Axial Pogramme - Risk & Assurance Manager

Location: Warsaw

Hybrid model: 3 days from office per week

ABOUT ASTRAZENECA

AstraZeneca Poland is a key global site that is dynamically growing in all departments – from commercial, R&D, IT, Global Trial Safety Review, Global Procurement Services, HR and Global Finance Services. Warsaw is one of the key Global Clinical Trial Centres in the world and plays a key role in AstraZeneca’s success. The work that we do here is valued and makes a direct impact to the enterprise, and to society. Here you are part of a multi-national team with a strong reputation worldwide for excellence and innovation.

Function: Operations/Finance/IT

As the Axial Risk & Assurance Manager you will be responsible for providing assurance that the risks for this major business and IT transformation programme are successfully identified, assessed and mitigated and that key project deliverables are properly executed as per the defined project methodology. You will have a relentless passion for delivery excellence with a strong risk and quality assurance focus. Working with the core programme team as well as local organizations, you will be accountable for engaging with senior stakeholders in the programme and the business to embed effective business risk management procedures and to provide risk and assurance inputs to support major decision points of the implementation.

Focus areas in programme include stakeholder management across the Axial programme, Business and vendor partners and liaising very closely with the Global Quality and the Enterprise Risk, Business Resilience & Financial Compliance organizations.

Key Focus areas will be:

• Quality assurance and validation of key work product deliverables for the global programme
• Executing and coordinating assurance activities (deep dives, health checks, stage gate readiness reviews) including liaison with other internal and external assurance partners
• Delivering the Axial Risk Management and Assurance Plans for the programme
• Provide risk management guidance, templates, training for Axial programme team
• Fostering a culture of delivery excellence across the teams and driving continuous improvement
• Monitor the Risk and Issues log and ensure mitigation and escalation is effective
• Execute strategic programme risk assessments on a regular basis with key stakeholders
• Ensuring robust risk management and mitigation is in place across all programme workstreams
• Drive effective Business Coninuity and IT Disaster Recovery procedures for the global programme and local deployments
• Coordinate lessons learned reviews following deployments

Candidate Focus & Challenge

• Validating the Axial programme governance, quality and controls methodologies are adhered to and advising on gaps and improvements
• Defining and implementing approaches for assuring the quality of deliverables ahead of key programme stage gates and major decision points
• Understanding the business process and IT risks change impacts associated with fit to standard and global process harmonisations
• Having a strong partnership with the senior stakeholders within the programme and the business is important to success in this role
• Anticipating early on the potential strategic risks and supporting the development of risk mitigation plans in line with risk appetite

The Role

• Responsible for the development and execution of quality assurance across the programme
• Responsible for embedding effective programme risk management procedures according AstraZeneca standards, including escalation protocols
• Support delivery excellence and continuous improvement across the Axial programme
• Engage, support and train the Risk Management Champions to better identify and assess the key risks faced in their respective areas
• Develop and monitor KPIs for risk and assurance and implement continuous improvement
• Support risk reporting to senior management
• Managing stakeholders across Business, IT, and vendor partners

Interactions:

• Manage interactions with the local organization
  • Understand risks exposures and impacts from the business, IT and other relevant functions
• Manage the interactions with the Axial programme team
  • Working closely with the programme team to support the broader programme schedule and objectives

Candidate Knowledge, Skills & Experience –

• Knowledge and understanding of Governance, Risk and Control Frameworks, such as COSO, UK Corporate Governance Code, NIST etc.
• Experience of delivering risk based assurance activities
• Degree educated and experience in life sciences/pharmaceuticals industry
• Experience of complex projects and programmes
• Experience of Enterprise Risk Management, Business Resilience & Financial Compliance
• Understands the big picture and identifies key business risks and impact

In addition, candidates will be expected to demonstrate:

• Excellent communication skills and facilitation skills
• Fluent English
• Experience in global cross functional and multi-cultural companies
• Proven track record in negotiating across complex stakeholder groups
• A collaborative style and ability to operate successfully in a matrix environment

Relevant expertise and experience in the following areas;

• Business Relationship Management
• Business resiliency management

Why AstraZeneca?

Join a vibrant and dynamic team with the passion and drive to push the boundaries of science. At AstraZeneca Poland we have a truly collaborative culture and way of working – supportive, open minded and eager to share knowledge. Ours is a ‘speak up’ culture – where your voice is heard and there is little time for hierarchy. A place of ownership, where we are empowered to lead at every level. Here you’ll be empowered and supported to develop further – given the freedom and autonomy to run with it and deliver.

Interested? Come and join our journey.

So, what’s next?

Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you!

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.