Axial Risk & Assurance Manager
Axial Risk & Assurance Manager
Location: Lisbon
Global S/4HANA Programme
We are one purpose-led global organisation. The enablers and innovators, ensuring that we can fulfil our mission to push the boundaries of science and discover and develop life-changing medicines. We take pride in working close to the cause, opening the locks to save lives, ultimately making a massive difference to the outside world.
AstraZeneca (AZ) is in a period of strong growth and our employees have a united purpose to make a difference to patients around the world who need both our medicines and the ongoing developments from our science. In this journey AZ must continue to work across borders and with partners and new colleagues in a fast and seamless way. The ambition, size and complexity of the organisation, coupled with the opportunities afforded by new technology, has led the Board to approve a large scale transformation of the IT landscape by the replacement of current ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems with one global solution.
Role description
As the Axial Risk & Assurance Manager you will be responsible for providing assurance that the risks for this major business and IT transformation programme are successfully identified, assessed and mitigated and that key project deliverables are accurately driven as per the defined project methodology. You will have a relentless passion for delivery excellence with a strong risk and quality assurance focus. Working with the core programme team as well as local oragnizations, you will be accountable for engaging with senior team members in the programme and the business to embed effective business risk management procedures and to provide risk and assurance inputs to support major decision points of the implementation.
Focus areas include team member management across the Axial programme, Business and vendor partners and liaising very closely with the Global Quality and the Enterprise Risk, Business Resilience & Financial Compliance organizations.
Key Focus areas will be:
Quality assurance and validation of key work product deliverables for the global programme
Implementing and coordinating assurance activities (deep dives, health checks, stage gate readiness reviews) including liaison with other internal and external assurance partners
Delivering the Axial Risk Management and Assurance Plans for the programme
Provide risk management mentorship, templates, training for Axial programme team
Encouraging a culture of delivery excellence across the teams and driving continuous improvement
Supervise the Risk and Issues log and ensure mitigation and partner concern is effective
Implement strategic programme risk assessments on a regular basis with vital team members
Ensuring robust risk management and mitigation is in place across all programme workstreams
Drive effective Business Continuity and IT Disaster Recovery procedures for the global programme and local deployments
Coordinate lessons learned reviews following deployments
Candidate Focus & Challenge
Validating the Axial programme governance, quality and controls methodologies are adhered to and advising on gaps and improvements
Defining and implementing approaches for assuring the quality of deliverables ahead of key programme stage gates and major decision points
Understanding the business process and IT risks change impacts associated with fit to standard and global process harmonisations
Having a positive relationship with the senior team members within the programme and the business is important to success in this role
Anticipating early on the potential strategic risks and supporting the development of risk mitigation plans in line with risk appetite
The Role
Responsible for the development and execution of quality assurance across the programme
Responsible for embedding effective programme risk management procedures according AstraZeneca standards, including partner concern protocols
Support delivery excellence and continuous improvement across the Axial programme
Engage, support and train the Risk Management Champions to better identify and assess the key risks faced in their respective areas
Develop and supervise important metrics for risk and assurance and implement continuous improvement
Support risk reporting to senior management
Leading team members across Business, IT, and vendor partners
Interactions:
Lead interactions with the local organization
Understand risks exposures and impacts from the business, IT and other relevant functions
Manage the interactions with the Axial programme team
Working closely with the programme team to support the broader programme schedule and objectives
Candidate Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Knowledge and understanding of Governance, Risk and Control Frameworks, such as COSO, UK Corporate Governance Code, NIST etc.
Experience of delivering risk based assurance activities
Degree or equivalent experience educated and experience in life sciences/pharmaceuticals industry
Experience of sophisticated projects and programmes
Experience of Enterprise Risk Management, Business Resilience & Financial Compliance
Understands the big picture and identifies key business risks and impacts
In addition, candidates will be expected to demonstrate:
Excellent communication skills and facilitation skills
Fluent English
Experience in global cross functional and multi-cultural companies
Consistent track record in negotiating across complex stakeholder groups
A collaborative style and ability to operate successfully in a matrix environment
Relevant expertise and experience in the following areas;
Business Relationship Management
Business resiliency management
At Astrazeneca we’re dedicated to being a phenomenal Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your ambitious spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.
Are you ready to make a difference? Apply today!
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 authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.
