Global Product Teams Finance Director, R&D Finance

At AstraZeneca, we prioritize the needs of patients and are dedicated to addressing their unmet needs on a global scale. Our work environment encourages entrepreneurial thinking, collaboration, and the pursuit of ambitious goals. If you are decisive, confident, collaborative, and fascinated by the potential of scientific innovation, then you are the kind of person we are looking for.

About Projects & Portfolio Finance

The Project Finance team is a dynamic group focused on supporting the Global Product Teams and senior governing bodies (Late Stage Portfolio Committee (LSPC) and SET) with R&D project and portfolio decisions. This role offers a unique opportunity for direct exposure to senior management across the organization and involvement in critical business issues affecting the Group’s current performance and strategic initiatives.

About this role:

You will be an integral part of a Global team of Finance Professionals providing crucial financial advice, support, and analysis to Global Product Teams (GPTs). Working with multiple GPTs, you will be responsible for thoroughly evaluating projects by offering high-quality financial input for product investment decisions and conducting expert financial analysis of key risks and sensitivities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic financial advice, support, and challenge to project strategy, plans, and investment decisions as a member of the GPTs.
• Conduct proactive and innovative financial analysis & scenario modelling to assist the GPTs in assessing the value impact of critical project development options.
• Ensure that all investment decisions have a robust financial case supporting them by identifying, reviewing, and challenging key forecasting assumptions across the entire value chain.
• Champion effective cost management during the planning and execution of clinical plans and ensure teams are engaging in productivity initiatives.
• Lead the preparation of financial sections for governance body presentations, ensuring Global Finance functional support of the forecasts and recommendations.
• Brief senior finance leaders ahead of key decision points, including the Group CFO and other Finance VPs as required.
• Coordinate and lead a Finance Network for the product, ensuring appropriate sharing of information and consistency of product forecasting assumptions and approach.
• Establish joint accountability with the GPT for the long-term R&D cost forecasts and values and monitor the impact of any key changes to project development assumptions & key deviations from plan.
• Lead or participate in cross-team initiatives as required.

Minimum Requirements – Education and Experience:

• Qualified finance professional with a minimum of 10 years of post-qualified experience (or equivalent).
• Broad business/financial experience.
• Good experience of project/product evaluation.
• Extensive experience of working in a global pharmaceutical organization/deep understanding of the drug development life cycle and/or commercial aspects.
• Experience of working globally within multi-disciplinary, cross-cultural teams.
• Demonstrated knowledge of global and corporate business context.

Key skills and capabilities related to this role:

• Analytical thinking - ability to collate & analyze data and identify key drivers of value.
• Strong Excel financial modelling.
• Financial evaluation techniques (projects, investments, etc.).
• Effective presentation and communication skills to both financial and non-financial audiences.
• Ability to interact and engage with senior managers in the business.
• Strategic thinking and influencing with focus on delivery.
• Maintains high ethical standards and demonstrates high personal integrity.
• Flexibility to respond to fast-changing business needs on short notice.
• Effective teamwork and interpersonal skills.

Post Deal Management Finance Support:

• Provide post-deal management finance support for deals falling within the responsibility of the GPT, including providing input to negotiation stages, establishing reporting and operating mechanisms for new deals, and monitoring and forecasting of milestones, royalties, and cost-sharing arrangements.
• Conduct impairment reviews for intangible assets held on the balance sheet, providing recommendations to management and GFR.
• Monitor compliance with contractual arrangements and manage any arising issues as part of the post-deal management team.

We are looking for a dedicated individual who is ready to take on these responsibilities and contribute to our mission of improving patient outcomes and advancing healthcare on a global scale. If you meet the qualifications and are excited about this opportunity, we encourage you to apply.

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.