Senior Manager – R&D, GBS Process and Analytics Services

Job Title: Senior Manager – R&D, GBS Process and Analytics Services

GCL : E

Are you ready to turn sophisticated R&D processes into engines of measurable value and faster science? Can you see yourself building sponsor-level relationships and leading agile delivery Pods that unlock efficiency, reduce risk, and generate insights at scale?

This role is central to how we modernize and streamline the enterprise. You will drive high-impact workflow improvement and data analysis across R&D, introducing smarter ways of working through automation and data-driven decisions. Your work will free time for discovery, accelerate outcomes, and directly influence how quickly we bring life-changing medicines to patients.

You will join a collaborative, fast-moving community focused on practical impact. Here, critical thinking meets decisive delivery. You will develop roadmaps, gain agreement, and lead cross-functional teams. This will drive tangible outcomes and set the pace for our next growth chapter.

Collaborator Sponsorship: Forge and cultivate trusted relationships with senior business collaborators and capability leaders, converting them into sponsors to drive long-term value realization.

Opportunity Portfolio: Partner with business unit leaders to identify and evaluate high-potential process transformation, analytics, and insights opportunities (greater than $1m per annum) that deliver efficiency, productivity gains, cost reductions, or risk mitigation.

Delivery Pods Leadership: Establish, lead, and be accountable for delivery Pods aligned to business units, providing end-to-end services through defined roles and operating models, with impact demonstrated by business value delivered and adherence to timelines.

Cross-Functional Planning: Collaborate with technical capability (service line) leads, other towers, and IT to plan transformation initiatives, handle delivery capacity, and ensure timely completion of Pod objectives.

Pipeline Development: Drive the identification and development of new comprehensive process improvement and analytics opportunities within the assigned business domain.

Principles Integration: Ensure principles and strategic ambitions are integrated into business units in collaboration with other towers.

Performance Outcomes: Achieve functional objectives across led business units, including recharges, NPS, financial savings, hours saved, and productivity metrics.

Expectation Management: Lead senior collaborator expectations against agreed business outcomes and delivery roadmaps.

Roadmap Co-Creation: Co-develop and lead all aspects of customer-aligned roadmaps for large-scale, cross-functional, end-to-end process improvement projects.

Scope and Value Assessment: Evaluate project scopes, assess business value relative to cost, and develop supporting cases.

Deal-to-Delivery Transition: Be responsible for the preparation of project charters, funding agreements, and related documentation to ensure seamless transitions from sales to solution delivery.

Agile POD Structuring: Structure cross-functional, agile POD teams to identify, assess, scope, and implement process optimization initiatives, guiding teams toward targeted value realization.

Business Case and ROI: Develop and communicate data-driven reasons and ROI models to explain initiatives to senior leadership, securing agreement and internal funding.

Culture and Talent: Uphold AstraZeneca values, fostering activities that attract, develop, and retain top talent, ensuring consistent delivery of services that exceed customer expectations.

Serve as an active member of the functional team crafting R&D efforts. Help develop the overall strategy for process improvement and data analysis services.

• Shown professional services and consultative sales experience, with a strong history of success in strategic business partnering, relationship management, and new business development
• Strong eye for business combined with the ability to establish, grow, and maintain trusted relationships with senior business collaborators and capability leaders, focussed on long-term value creation
• Shown experience in defining portfolio strategy, collaborator engagement, relationship management, business planning, well-experienced in scaling portfolio
• Create tailored engagement strategies, robust frameworks to prioritise value creation opportunities, and high-level benefits targets based on the customer’s strategic objectives and business process insights
• A consistent track record of delivering end-to-end process optimisation initiatives (>$1m) across a large-scale global business / portfolio
• Strong leadership skills with line management experience (global line management experience strongly preferred).
• Solid understanding across multiple technology driven process transformation and analytics capabilities (Process Mining, Process Re-Engineering, Robotics Process Automation, BPM, Power BI, Power Apps, Data science and others) both internal to Process and Analytics Services and externally across GBS, IT and wider AZ
• Exceptional influencing skills across all collaborator levels including development of compelling Business Cases
• Experience in leading highly sophisticated, cross-functional projects/programs in a matrixed model
• Experience in collaborating and working with high-performing, globally based teams

• Proven background in a fast-paced Global Business Services environment with minimal oversight
• Understanding of R&D biopharmaceutical processes
• Familiarity with the biopharmaceuticals industry
• Active engagement in technology industry trends supporting process improvement
• Experience or qualifications in a related technology area
• Experience working with Agile delivery methodology
• Experience of working globally with multi-cultural awareness and cultural adaptability

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash ambitious thinking with the power to encourage life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our outstanding and daring world.

You will be part of a global, relationship-driven community that blends strategic thinking with decisive delivery, using automation, analytics, and smart operating models to reshape how we work and accelerate impact for patients. We value kindness alongside ambition, pairing rigorous problem-solving with a culture of learning, coaching, and two-way feedback. Here, unexpected teams come together to challenge the norm, move quickly, and share knowledge, giving you the platform to influence the enterprise—freeing scientists to focus on discovery, elevating efficiency across functions, and building a career defined by meaningful outcomes.

Seize this opportunity to lead high-impact Pods and turn complex R&D challenges into measurable value—bring your expertise and make your mark today!

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.