Senior PA to SVP and Administration Team Lead

Cambridge, UK

Competitive salary and benefits

Bring out the best in each other, and yourself, by working together as one

In our dynamic environment, be supported by the brightest minds working together side by side. Agile and collaborative, we work cross-functionally, as well as externally, to thrive at pace.

It’s our combination of curiosity and courage that drives us, inspired by the possibility of doing things that have never been done before. Empowered to step up, we free ourselves from fear of failure to dig deep into the biology of complex diseases and make bold decisions. Celebrating our successes and failures along the way.

Who we are

Business Planning an Operations (BPO) provides communications, business planning and operational support and leadership enablement in Discovery Sciences, an expert scientific function that applies deep technical expertise in specialist technologies. The PA and administration team within BPO is diverse, multicultural, friendly and collaborative. It is at the centre of the department, where we are committed to supporting continuous improvement, actively seeking out new challenges and encouraging personal development.

Where you will work

You will be based from our Cambridge office at Granta Park/Central Cambridge in the UK, but able to accompany the SVP to other Cambridge and international AZ sites when required.  The role will ultimately be based from the future AZ Cambridge facility on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

What you’ll do:

No two days will be the same in this fast-paced and challenging role in which you must find balance between your PA responsibilities and being accountable for your team’s activities and development.

Working collaboratively across different time zones, providing exceptional PA support to the SVP, including committee administration for the Leadership team. Calm and professional, you will represent the SVP with high profile internal and external stakeholders, maintain the SVP diary and respond to emails on their behalf. As a Team Lead to 9 PAs in the UK and Sweden, you will provide coaching, guidance, performance management and foster a culture of continuous improvement and personal development, alongside undertaking all line management activities.

Example Activities:

• Deliver all administrative activities for the SVP Discovery Sciences.
• Manage a team of administrators/PAs including balancing workloads and priorities, performance management.
• Coaching of PA team for personal development, and coaching and mentoring of DS team members as required.
• Independently and pro-actively resolve administrative requests.
• Identify and deliver continuous improvement to simplify ways of working and improve efficiency across the department, and engage relevant process owners outside DS to drive improvements.
• Work collaboratively with global colleagues to deliver a lean and  consistent service.
• Serve as an ambassador for best practice by leading and contributing to activities and projects within the business.
• Be accountable for the successful deployment of new processes within Discovery Sciences including communication, execution and training .
• Maintain and develop expertise in appropriate IT systems to ensure efficient use and provide expertise and support to resolve time-consuming queries, including coaching and training of affected persons to execute the solution.
• Identify and introduce new technology based solutions and trains and mentoring other administrators to use technology.
• Use business understanding to add value and propose improvements to existing processes and new processes when appropriate.
• Plan and lead training and development initiatives for administrators, and DS colleagues for department wide changes.
• Manage the team to ensure external and internal meetings are a success and logistics and arrangements are effectively planned and delivered.
• Work collaboratively with other administrators across the organisation to share knowledge and develop effective networks.
• Manage the PA team utilising the diverse individual strengths of each team member effectively to deliver an excellent PA and administration service to Discovery Sciences.

Skills & Experience:

Essential

• Significant administrative and PA experience.
• General knowledge and understanding of company policies and procedures and the important and impact of compliance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Specialist knowledge in relation to administrative/business support activities in the relevant area.
• Experience of a variety of software/systems such as Microsoft 365, SAP, Coupa, Concur, Ariba or similar administrative systems.
• Demonstrable experience of implementation and maintenance of effective systems of working to manage workload for self and others.
• Effective stakeholder management skills including the ability to continuously manage multiple conflicting demands and demonstrable experience of managing senior leaders expectations.
• Experience of leading teams.
• Adaptable, flexible and Independent.

Desirable

• Experience of leading global teams
• Established global admin network within AstraZeneca
• At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration. Always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development.

So, what’s next?

Complete your application before the below closing date.

This role is open from 10 August 2021, we welcome with your application no later than 24 August 2021.

Where can I find out more?

Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/

Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/

Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/astrazeneca_careers/?hl=en

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.