Job Description

At AstraZeneca we turn ideas into life changing medicines. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality. Making the impossible a reality can mean taking a chance on an idea and investing in our exceptional capacity for innovation and discovery. We champion trying new things, and we nurture a test and learn culture that means we are always progressing close to our goals.

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world's most serious diseases. But we're more than one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we're proud to have a unique workplace culture that inspires innovation and collaboration. Here, employees are empowered to express diverse perspectives - and are made to feel valued, energized and rewarded for their ideas and creativity.

Global Finance Services (GFS) was formed in 2018 and is at the heart of the AstraZeneca Finance function. We are accountable to the AstraZeneca Group for the design and delivery of high quality, simple to operate transactional finance processes which, combined with exceptional business analysis and insight, enable our customers to focus on AstraZeneca’s strategic priorities. Our remit covers record to report, procure to pay and order to cash, tax, planning and forecasting and management reporting.

We are looking to appoint an R2R Global Systems Accounting Lead. The successful candidate will lead a team of systems accountants and controllers covering AstraZeneca’s global footprint. They will be the connection point between the AstraZeneca operational teams and IT and be the business owner for key R2R owned systems. Success will be measured on the delivery of efficient operations of SAP and surrounding systems, and driving improvements that provide value to the business.

This is a high profile role, crucial to the successful adoption, ongoing delivery and evolution of the finance functions digitally transformed operating model. We are looking for an experienced systems accounting professional with excellent communication skills, motivation and commitment to delivering an exceptional service.

Typical Accountabilities

• Develop the team service catalogue and KPIs in collaboration with the project and process delivery leadership teams
• Lead the newly formed global systems team, ensuring work is effectively load balanced with clear development plans for team members to ensure sustained coverage across systems, processes and geographies
• Provide coaching to team members to ensure they are operating effectively within a global team and developing as individuals
• Ensure project demand is anticipated, resourced and managed effectively
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement within the team around process and data to support the group strategy of standardization and simplification
• Build and document a high level of system and process expertise to facilitate the effective BAU and project support for configuration and administration activities within the teams scope
• Provide system ownership for R2R specific systems e.g. Blackline and CAS, representing R2R internally in cross finance and cross business area system forums
• Implement an effective, standard global engagement approach to facilitate close collaboration between the team and systems internal user communities
• Implement and operate a strong governance framework around the teams business as usual processes, continuous improvement activity and mandated/periodic system upgrades
• Own and execute assigned SOx controls relevant to the teams scope of activity
• Drive SLA compliance across the various service providers in the Finance support landscape. Ensure issues are resolved efficiently and effectively.
• Represent AstraZeneca in external vendor user groups, strongly promoting our priorities and effectively cascading relevant information to the internal AstraZeneca user community
• Monitor external developments and identify best practice ideas
• As a member of the Global Process Leadership team proactively contribute to the strategy and approach around the use of robotics within the process.

You will typically work with a number of key individuals/teams in the wider AstraZeneca organisation, including:

• Global systems accounting team (approx. 5 roles)
• Project leadership teams
• Global process owner teams and delivery leads
• Shared services leadership
• Reporting risk committees
• IT service management & architects
• Finance and IT leaders (VP-1)

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Essential

• Deep knowledge of finance systems, including one or more of: SAP, BlackLine, RPA tools, BPM tools
• Strong R2R process knowledge
• Qualified accountant, or qualified by experience
• Demonstrable ability to lead and motivate teams through periods of high change
• Experience of working in a global organisation
• Experience of operating in a SOx compliant environment
• Experience of driving issue resolution across complex system & process landscapes
• A track record of driving simplification & continuous improvement through key systems

Desirable

• Ideal candidates will have specific industry and process experience including benchmarking
• Knowledge of Robotics and it’s potential uses within finance processes.

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.