The R&D Finance Controllership Team is a focused team that provides reporting and financial control support across all R&D and GPPS (Global Product & Portfolio Strategy).

The R&D Finance Controls Lead will work within the R&D Finance Controllership Team, overseeing the SOX and Financial Control Framework for R&D and GPPS. Activities will include maintaining the current SOX controls environment, developing the FCF control environment, and leading the implementation, and then on-going maintenance, of the OneGRC control framework system. Responsibilities will include liaison with control operators, responding to control issues as they arise and driving through a culture of continuous improvements to the control environment including when change is driven by internal or external factors.

The R&D Finance Controls Lead will act as point of contact for financial auditors for the areas under his/her responsibility and with the AZ central Finance Controls and Compliance Group (FC&CG).

The R&D Finance Controls Lead will be responsible for both SET area controls and R&D specific legal entity controls, ensuring a consistent control framework is applied to all entities and managing handshake arrangements with supporting AZ finance functions. The role will also support alignment of newly acquired entities to the R&D standard control suite.

The role will involve continues liaison with multiple stake holders including Finance VPs, Group finance and R&D and commercial business contacts.

Finally, it is expected this role will have additional responsibilities that could include leading improvement projects, representing the R&D and GPPS Finance interests with Group/cross-functional teams or other ad hoc activities.

A position in this team offers an individual an exceptional opportunity for direct exposure to business issues affecting R&D and GPPS current performance and strategic initiatives.

The role will be based in Warsaw and report to the Head of Controlling for R&D and GPPS.

Accountabilities/Responsibilities

Business Controls:

• Co-ordinate the global control framework for the R&D and GPPS business units.
• Ensure compliance with financial controls framework and SOX requirements for month end processes
• Design and run the annual process of management testing of controls
• Key contact person for internal and external audit of R&D and GPPS control environment
• Maintain R&D and GPPS controls in the new AZ Group control system
• Complete annual assessments of control environment for Group reporting
• Work with finance business partners, finance managers and business customers to agree appropriate processes are in place to manage the business and properly mitigate risk.
• Develop SOX and FCF controls in response to changing business environment
• Upgrade the FCF control environment for R&D environment, including liaising with other areas of finance to ensure responsibilities for control framework is appropriately defined between R&D and other finance divisions
• Explore opportunities to enhance the R&D and GPPS control environment reporting capabilities to meet future business needs and to drive further improvements
  Training delivery for both new and existing controls

Key skills / capabilities:

• Strong technical financial skills
• Analytical thinking – ability to collate & analyse data and identify key drivers
• Focus on delivery – works well under pressure, meets tight deadlines
• Attention to detail
• Flexibility - to respond to fast changing business needs on short notice
• Ability to interact and engage across business lines with multiple stakeholders, including senior managers, and internal and external auditors

Minimum Requirements - Education and Experience

Essential:

Experience of finance is required. Self-motivation and a commitment to team work are key. Personal development will be a key part of the role and you will be supported to develop yourself and your skills whilst in the role.

• Qualified finance professional
• Experience of working with SOX and FCF controls
• Experienced working in complex global organisation
• Cross boundary experience including building relationships remotely and cross-culturally
• English Language proficiency is a must, both verbal and written, with the confidence to express clear opinions and ability to explain financial issues to non-financial management
• Good understanding of accounting principles (eg accruals; cost centres; budgeting)
• Excellent PC skills including SAP, BW & Excel skills
• A track record of continuous process improvement and delivering efficient ways of working across a complex global organization
• Ability to travel internationally

Desirable:

• Experience of working in Pharmaceutical industry
• Knowledge of R&D structure, processes and financial tools
• Audit background
• Proficiency in the use of SAP

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.