GFS Technology - Manager Systems Delivery

GFS Technology - Manager Systems Delivery

Location: Warsaw

Hybrid Model: 3 days per week from office

Global Finance Services (GFS) are the engine of finance enabling AZ to serve patients in the best possible way. The group is responsible for the delivery of back and middle office finance services across AstraZeneca and has the vision of being ONE connected team, with ONE innovative plan and transforming our operation to work in ONE agile way.

GFS Technology team was formed in 2023 to centralize support for GFS owned systems with a mandate to enable effective utilization of technology and embed best practice. Key to this is effective business support for systems and ensuring we maximize the return on AZ investment in GFS systems.
Reporting to the System Delivery Associate Director, the System Delivery Manager will play an integral part in supporting Associate Director in delivering this mandate alongside the GFS technology teams.
This role manages the GFS System Delivery team and is responsible for ensuring effective operations of system analyst activities in one of the process towers. As part of this system analyst activities from GFS towers will be transitioned into GFS Technology during FY23. The system analysts act as a key connection point between AZ/GFS operational teams and IT and are business owners for GFS owned systems.

A core part of the role will be support for standardization including in ways of working, monitoring and reporting across the system analysts’ teams.

The Manager role is fundamental to the successful establishment and operation of GFS Technology. The role requires an experienced systems analyst to lead the team who has excellent communication skills and can create a strong team identity, motiving their team to deliver on their objectives. Close collaboration with the GFS Technology System Delivery team and other system teams (IT, FACT, Finance Architecture) will be essential to success in this role.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities
System Analysts

• Supervise the team of system analysts supporting systems designed for one of the process towers
• Ensure system analyst activities within other GFS towers are successfully transition them into the team
• Identify and embed best practice ways of working across the team driving standardisation and simplification
• Design cross training among team members to mitigate critical dependencies
• Support System Delivery Associate Director in system ownership for key GFS owned systems
• Working with the Systems Management team ensure an up-to-date inventory of systems and activities (service book)
• Through the system analysts provide a clear escalation route for system issues impacting GFS systems
• Support the Associate Director in developing appropriate metrics for monitoring performance and effectiveness of GFS systems and maintain/produce metrics once defined
• Ensure appropriate resources are in place to support system change projects. Act as SPOC for questions regarding testing, comms etc
• Provide support for and implement as needed changes/improvements to GFS systems including actions required to resolve issues
• Partnering with IT, vendors and others as accountable for system issues and their resolution, continuity of services and maintenance.
• Ensure System Accountants have clear objectives, ensure succession plans for critical roles

Business Continuity

• Working with the Systems Delivery Associate Director and GFS Business Continuity Manager confirm Business System Recovery plans are in place for Critical GFS Systems and that these are linked as appropriate to ITDR plans.
• Ensure Systems Analysts are aware and ready to take steps required by System Recovery procedure
• Support the recovery plans in the event of an incident (system outage or other)

Stakeholder Management

• As a team manager within GFS represent GFS Technology to Process Tower and other stakeholders.
• Maintain strong collaborative interactions with GFS Leadership teams, process towers, delivery teams and enabling functions, Wider Finance teams, IT teams, Project teams, Vendors
• Support stakeholders with communication on GFS priorities and objectives

Other activities

• Nurture Lean thinking and continuous improvement in working with the wider GFS teams
• Recognize opportunities for improvements and efficiencies within our processes
• Working with the GFS Technology Systems Management team, GFS process towers and other teams identify and implement opportunities for automation and measure benefits/efficiencies delivered
• Support Axial project and once roll out progresses ensure impact is managed within the GFS Technology System Delivery team.
• Partner with Compliance and Risk Management in GFS to ensure risks associated with GFS Systems are identified and appropriately managed.
• Own specific system risks as needed including tracking actions/mitigations. Where required ensure formal controls over risks (SOx, FCF, other) are operating effectively

Education, Qualifications, Skills & Experience
Essential

• Deep knowledge of finance systems and applications including one or more of SAP, Blackline, Coupa, Trax, RPA tools, BPM tools and a willingness to develop this understanding
• Capability to build strong working relationships with key stakeholders
• Able to lead and motivate teams through periods of organizational and technological change
• Process knowledge of one of P2P, R2R, O2C, P&MR
• Willingness to learn about other processes
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects/tasks effectively
• Experience in triage and root cause analysis for system incidents
• Energetic and self-motivated finance professional
• Track record of driving continuous improvement
• Experience of working as a system super user or admin

Desirable

• Experience of working within a global organization, preferably with Pharmaceutical industry exposure
• Experience of working in a SOx compliant environment
• System support background
• Programming skills (VBA, Python, Power Apps, Power BI, Essbase, SQL)

What we offer:

Welcome to Warsaw Site, one of over 400 sites here at AstraZeneca, providing a collaborative environment where everyone feels comfortable and able to be themselves is at the core of AstraZeneca’s priorities, it’s important to us that you bring your full self to work every day.

To help you maintain your best self, here’s a sneak peek into some of the things this site provides for you:

• The best team to support you,
• Multisport card,
• Pension plan,
• Life insurance,
• after-work events,
• private medical care
• lunch card,
• bright and spacious environment,
• sustainable office working environment.

Please note that we are working in a hybrid model of 3 days per week from the office in Warsaw

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.