At AstraZeneca every one of our employees  makes a difference to patient lives everyday. You may not feel you're at the frontline of research but your role in changing patients' lives is critical. Our mission is ambitious s. and it takes the skills of a collaborative team to really deliver on what science can do and to always put patients first.

We have an exciting opportunity to join AstraZenena as CFO for our South Africa/Sub Sahara Africa/French South Africa region to be responsible for the Financial Operations function for the cluster. In this role, you will oversee all aspects of people management for the geographical and technical area of responsibility, leading change initiatives and developing a strategy that is in line with the broader AstraZeneca strategy and ensures the Finance Operations function will continue to provide an excellent level of support to its internal customers.

Typical Accountabilities

• Develops a strategy for area of responsibility that incorporates the medium and long term needs of the function’s internal customers, and fits within the broader AstraZeneca strategy
• Oversees the budgeting process for the Finance Operations function, ensuring resources are allocated in the most efficient manner and the function has the long term resources it needs to keep up with client requirements
• Develops change initiatives that will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Finance Operations function
• Builds and develops teams of experts and change management professionals to implement improvement initiatives. Sets agendas for these groups and supports them throughout the implementation process
• Ensures that new technologies and processes in the area of Finance Operations are successfully introduced into the function, as required
• Ensures the function continues to provide excellent levels of support to internal clients to a tight deadlines
• Continues to develop a deeper understanding of the technical issues involved in a specific process area or the specific technical requirements most relevant to the are of responsibility
• Personally manages the most significant projects and change initiatives, such as implementing new function wide processes or technologies
• Owns the relationships with the most significant and biggest internal and external stakeholders
• Develops a strategy for determining which processes will be outsourced  to external service providers, and which will be handled internally, and ensures this strategy is adhered to
• Performance manages senior Finance Operations professionals to ensure the Finance Operations function continues to operate smoothly
• Offers appropriate training and development opportunities to build a pipeline of talented professionals capable of  filling future vacancies
• Ensures all processes carried out by the Finance Operations function are fully compliant with all relevant legislations and internal regulations

Experience required:

Essential

• Higher qualification in Finance, Operations or other relevant field
• Excellent and current technical skills and knowledge within Finance Operations
• Significant experience managing a busy process team delivering to strict deadlines
• Prior experience with emerging markets, specifically Sub-Sahara Africa
• Excellent leadership skills and people management skills
• Experience working closely with shared service centre
• Experience in implementing and leading change programs
• Experience of working with outsourced providers
• Project management skills

Desirable

• International management experience - understanding multi-country differences (technical/operational)

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.  Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their line manager in compliance with labour Laws.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities.  To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. 

AstraZeneca South Africa is an equal opportunities employer. We value your passion to discover, invent, simplify and build. We welcome applications from all members of society irrespective of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief. We are required by law to verify your ability to work lawfully in South Africa. AstraZeneca South Africa therefore requires that you submit a copy of either your identity document or your passport and any applicable work permit if you are a foreign national, along with an updated curriculum vitae. AstraZeneca South Africa is strongly committed to diversity within its community and Employment Equity within the workplace, and the further diversification of ideas. In this regard, the relevant laws and principles associated with Employment Equity will be considered when appointing potential candidates.

Date Posted

Closing Date

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.