Associate Director - GFS Systems Delivery

GFS Systems Delivery – Associate Director 

Location: Warsaw

Hybrid Model: 3 days per week from office

At AstraZeneca, we put patients first and strive to meet their unmet needs worldwide. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality. If you are swift to action, confident to lead, willing to collaborate, and curious about what science can do, then you’re our kind of person.

Lead the GFS Systems Delivery team ensuring effective operation of system accountant activities.  The Systems Delivery team is made up of system accountants and controllers supporting key systems across the 3 GFS transactional finance process towers (P2P, R2R, O2C).  The team are located in the main GFS sites (KL, Warsaw, San Jose as well as Chennai and the US) and are responsible for a variety of activities including first line system issue resolution and performing business and technical changes. 

Lead systems work (including business/systems change impacts) with system owners, IT and AZ/GFS operational teams to that the strategic, tactical and operational goals of the business are delivered.  Provide expert advice and guidance on current and future use of systems to system owners and key stakeholders. 

Accountabilities:

Systems Accountants/Controllers 

• Lead the GFS Systems Delivery team; accountable for the performance of the GFS Systems Delivery team and the systems they manage. Monitor capacity within the team and ensure sufficient resources are in place to support system change, BAU and other activities as needed.   

• Identify and embed best practice ways of working across the team driving standardisation and simplification.  Where appropriate ensure cross skilling of teams to reduce critical dependencies and to support career development.   

• Develop and maintain appropriate metrics for monitoring performance and effectiveness of GFS systems and the team 

• Ensure an up to date inventory of systems and activities (service book) is maintained 

• Act as escalation point and be accountable for system issues and their resolution, partnering with IT, vendors and others as needed 

• Provide support for and implement as needed changes/improvements to GFS systems including actions required to resolve issues.  Ensure appropriate governance is in place over changes made by GFS Systems Delivery.   

• A key focus for the coming years will be the implementation of Axial (S/4 Hana) across AZ and ensuring the impact on systems managed by the team is managed effectively 

• Provide expert advice, guidance and support on current and future use of systems to GFS leaders, including assessing and managing the overall impact of major change programmes on relevant systems  

• Drive a continuous improvement culture through simplifying and automating where possible business processes operated by GFS Systems Delivery and applying Lean methodology where appropriate  

• Identify opportunities to drive improvement through using systems in partnership with process towers as needed. Develop business cases and where successful support the delivery of improvements  

• Ensure System Accountants have clear objectives and career paths, ensure continuity of services can be delivered and maintain succession plans for critical roles 

• Maintain external focus on best practice and seek regular stakeholder feedback to assure strong service delivery 

• Manage supplier relationships including third parties to ensure end-end service delivery 

• Ensure compliance with control processes (including SOx) and security standards as applicable 

Business Continuity, Risk Management & Compliance 

• Working with the GFS Risk Management & Business Continuity Director, ensure Business System Recovery plans are in place for systems and that these are linked as appropriate to ITDR plans 

• In the event of an incident (system outage or other) execute the recovery plans as needed 

• Partner with Compliance and Risk Management in GFS to ensure risks associated with GFS Systems are identified and appropriately managed.  Own specific system risks as needed including tracking actions/mitigations.  Where required ensure formal controls over risks (SOx, FCF, other) are operating effectively  

Stakeholder Management 

• As a leader within GFS represent GFS Technology to stakeholders and establish and develop strong collaborative relationships including: GFS Leadership teams, process towers, delivery teams and enabling functions, Wider Finance teams, IT teams, Project teams, Vendors 

• Ensure GFS priorities and objectives are promoted to our stakeholders as required 

• Represent GFS Technology as needed through membership of relevant AZ relevant forums, project steercos, councils etc 

Other activities 

• As part of the GFS Technology & Compliance LT work drive the team strategy, identify goals and objectives and ensure that these are delivered by the GFS Systems Delivery team. 

• Deputise for the GFS Technology & Compliance Director as required 

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

Essential:

• rong knowledge of finance systems and applications including one or more of SAP, Blackline, Coupa, RPA tools, BPM tools and a willingness to develop this understanding 

• Experience of working across a range of business functions and a track record of being able to build strong working relationships with key stakeholders 

• Proven ability to lead projects or project teams effectively and manage change initiatives effectively 

• Track record of driving simplification & continuous improvement across key business processes and driving automation 

• The confidence to bring fresh ideas and suggestions to the team in order to bring further efficiencies to the organization 

• Experience of driving issue resolution across complex system & process landscapes 

• Being comfortable with change and possible ambiguity while having the ability to adapt and be flexible in a rapidly changing environment.  Able to lead and motivate teams through periods of organizational and technological change 

• Strong knowledge of P2P, R2R, O2C, P&MR 

• Experience of working in a SOx compliant environment 

Desirable:

• Experience of working within a global organization, preferably with Pharmaceutical industry exposure 

• Skilled in managing and developing 3rd party business relationships  

• Knowledge of reporting and automation software and its potential use within finance processes e.g. MS Power Platform. 

• Programming language (VBA, SQL, Python) 

What we offer:

Welcome to Warsaw Site, one of over 400 sites here at AstraZeneca, providing a collaborative environment where everyone feels comfortable and able to be themselves is at the core of AstraZeneca’s priorities, it’s important to us that you bring your full self to work every day.

To help you maintain your best self, here’s a sneak peek into some of the things this site provides for you:

• The best team to support you,
• Multisport card,
• Pension plan,
• Life insurance,
• after-work events,
• private medical care
• lunch card,
• bright and spacious environment,
• sustainable office working environment.

Please note that we are working in a hybrid model of 3 days per week from the office in Warsaw

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.