Associate Director, RDU IT - XR and Hyperautomation Platforms

The Associate Director, XR and Hyperautomation Platforms is a leadership role reporting to the Senior Director RDU IT Solutions & Services. In this dynamic and influential position, you will be responsible for setting and overseeing the strategic deployment and delivery of hyper automation, Mobile (mHealth) and Digital Health, Low-Code solutions and automations based on the Microsoft Power Platform, Systems (focusing on Virtual Reality (VR) and eXtended Reality (XR) technologies) across various business units and Therapeutic areas. Your role is to lead and oversee the development, deployment, delivery, and management of related technology solutions, ensuring they meet market needs, business/TA objectives, adhere to AZ ethical guidelines, and drive better business outcomes. Additionally, you will be responsible for ensuring a successful transition from ideation/concept to production and help manage the entire lifecycle. You will engage with leaders at all levels of the global AZ organization to align plans, product roadmaps, and approaches.

Accountabilities:

• Participating in the definition and setting the standards for execution and delivery of the related product vision, strategy, roadmap, and IT operations for Digital Health technologies (focused on XR/VR) aligning with AZ strategy, BU goals, and broader Ambition long term goals
• Governance (internal teams and related vendors) to ensure approved business cases are delivered within tolerance, on time, cost and quality working with functional management as required to resolve issues.
• Work closely with key partners within Alexion’s Commercial and Medical teams, as well as expert functions to build the Digital Health Strategy for our therapeutic Areas. This entails (but not limited) bringing together subject matter experts, recruitment and retention; novel endpoints and clinical outcome assessments; decentralized digital health solution and other digital capabilities to develop, deliver, and optimize solutions for the product portfolio.
• Champion the use of Microsoft Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, and Power Virtual Agents) across the organization and educate stakeholders about its capabilities as a low code solution to address business needs and automations in an agile self-service citizen developer business model.
• Collaborate with IT Business Partners to evangelize the utilization of low code solutions in various business areas and geographies, providing support in developing business cases and ROI analyses and engagement materials.
• Build templates, use patterns and virtual community of practices that provide a framework to engage, share best practices and measure efficiencies generated by low-code solutions. Ensure Low-Code solutions are compliant with all legal, compliance and cybersecurity best practices.
• Collaborate with AstraZeneca IT teams to ensure best practices, roadmaps, features and capabilities of the Alexion RDU low-code ecosystem.
• Develop KPI’s, operational metrics, engagement and success criteria for the full lifecycle of low-code solutions.
• Improve our digital health innovation readiness by building and maintaining a library of solutions and practices alongside subject matter experts. Collaborate with AZ teams to prioritize capability development which drives business value and patient outcomes, resulting in the development of an industry leading Digital organization.
• Evangelize critical initiatives in strategy, governance and the adoption of new ways of working by creating communities of practice to help build capabilities. Upskill Alexion’s teams on digital health solutions, changing their mindset on the opportunities for adoption and value generation of digital health technologies.
• Ensure effective and transparent risk, opportunity and issues management at strategic, tactical and operational levels.
• Conduct market research and analysis translating market insights into our Digital Health product library.
• Management and prioritization of a portfolio of Digital Health use cases according to business needs, requirements maturity, and resources availability
• Analyze and understand the needs within different segments of the pharma value chain, identifying opportunities for Digital Health integration.
• Procure, evaluate, and collaborate with external agencies to develop and implement Digital Health products.
• Ensure products are compliant with pharma's MLR (Medical, Legal, Regulatory) process.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and delivery of hyper automation, Mobile Health (mHealth) and Digital Health Systems, across all platforms focusing on VR and XR technologies and integrate this knowledge into product development.
• Liaise between technical teams and non-technical stakeholders to ensure clear communication and effective project progress.
• Contribute to continuous innovation in the use of Digital Health and related technologies within the pharmaceutical industry.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT, Business Administration, or a related field, master’s degree is a plus
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in product management or IT project delivery, with at least 2-3 years focused on Digital Health initiatives including XR/VR
• Proven experience in product management, with a focus on low code development and the Microsoft Power Platform.
• Strong project management skills, with experience in Agile methodologies and cross-functional team leadership
• Proven experience in Digital Health technology development, preferably in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Strong understanding of the MLR process in the pharma sector.
• Excellent technical skills, including programming and software development related to Digital health technologies.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to think creatively.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Leadership skills with a proven track record of influencing change and driving product strategy in a corporate setting.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Experience in the pharmaceutical industry or a closely related field, with an understanding of the regulatory landscape
• Demonstrated ability to innovate and foster a culture of continuous improvement within a product management team
• Flexibility to undertake travel where required
• Experience with GDPR, privacy, legal and impact on digital initiatives

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire 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 unique and ambitious world.

Joining Alexion means embracing an opportunity where work isn’t ordinary. We are a beacon in the global Biopharmaceutical landscape. Our closeness to patients brings us closer to our work and each other. Combined with our brave spirit – we are truly unique in R&D and healthcare. At Alexion, grow in a business with a rapidly expanding portfolio. Enjoy an entrepreneurial spirit where people build connections to explore new ideas. As an important member of our commercial team, you'll meet the needs of some of the most under-served patients in the world. You will be empowered with tailored development programs designed not just for skill enhancement but for fostering a deep understanding of our patient's journeys. You’re supported by exceptional leaders ready to lift you in marketing, compliance, and beyond.

If this sounds like a team that you want to be a part of... then we’d love to talk.

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.