COO - Global Business Services

Job Title: COO - Global Business Services (GBS)

Location: Cambridge, UK

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious disease. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work.

Who we are:

The Global Business Service (GBS) team sits within Finance at AstraZeneca and is a dynamic and results-oriented environment and provides a range of enterprise-wide services. We dare to change the way we work by freeing up the business to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines. We aim to do this by freeing up time, freeing up money, protecting AZ’s value and providing new capabilities.

What we do:

A trusted partner to the business, we’re on a mission to make AstraZeneca more agile, efficient and effective. Through our hybrid model of in-house delivery centers and service towers across the globe, we’re reimagining how we work. Here we drive new ways of working and operating models, process simplification and innovative solutions, whilst ensuring that automation and data is at the heart of everything.

The role:

The GBS Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a member of the GBS Leadership team reporting to the Vice President (VP) of Global Business Services. The role provides support to the VP in developing, shaping & driving GBS strategy as well as oversight of critical business initiatives, supporting major change initiatives, driving development of key materials including board presentations, GBS performance dashboards and ensuring timely operationalization of executive decisions.  In addition, the COO has delivery accountabilities, delivering one of our service lines to all functional groups across the enterprise.

This role also plays a key role in representing the VP and GBS-LT view and being the key liaison to other AZ functions and business unit areas. The role therefore requires an individual with the ability to operate credibly from senior management to front line employees.

What you will do:

Shape the strategy:

• Develop and implement the strategic plan for the GBS organisation in line with the AstraZeneca business strategy.  Bring external and internal thought leadership to the leadership team and embed in strategic recommendations.

• Identify major capability, technological and socioeconomic changes to evaluate and recommend changes to drive an efficient global operating model for the GBS function

• Drive key initiatives on behalf of VP and GBS LT including the continuous review of the organizational strategy

Be an ambassador:

• Act as an ambassador of the VP, supporting her in internal and external meetings (provide clarity of scope and objectives – leading the compilation of briefing materials) including Senior Executive Team briefings and Governance forums.

• Understand and handle key stakeholder needs, ensure alignment of objectives and roadmap of key strategic topics that may have a cross-functional impact

• Key interface between GBS and the rest of the organisation.  Ensure service delivery meets or exceed expectations.

Operationalise the strategy:

• Translate GBS strategy into operational execution.  Manage the performance of GBS, ensuring quality, risk management, service delivery excellence, cost-effectiveness and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Deploy excellent analytical skills in the review of complex strategic issues and provide input and recommendations towards innovative solutions.
• Drive Innovation within GBS, including the adoption of new technologies, processes or business models that can enhance service delivery or efficiency.
• Lead the management of the GBS LT meeting agendas, deliver clear summaries of agreements, and ensure timely follow-up of key initiatives.
• Work closely with Enabling functions, drive GBS engagement, communications, change, and people development agendas across the organisation (including hiring, training and development).
• Responsible for Site Engagement for all GBS sites. Partner with local site leads to ensure a strong approach to employee engagement and communication.
• Identify, assess and mitigate operational and business risks associated with GBS activities.
• Customer Service: Ensure that the GBS organisation provides high quality service to our internal/external customers.
• Working with the finance business partner to own the GBS financial performance including pricing strategy, financial sustainability, cost management and investment process.
• Own and manage the geographic footprint of GBS organization and recommend opportunity areas to respond based on changing workforce and geographic trends, strategic workforce planning, in partnership with GBS LT and other SET areas. Execute on agreed upon changes based on financial, innovation and efficiency metrics.
• Own and manage the GBS Operating Model to ensure effective running of the organisation including scorecard and objective setting.
• Own and deliver communications across GBS, including engagement and communication strategy across AZ with customers and within GBS with employees and third parties. 
• Project Management: Own and manage GBS wide programme management including GBS transformation programme management and GBS transition management.
• Run and own enterprise wide service line, delivering services to all functions across the enterprise. Accountable for pricing, resourcing and ongoing management of global teams delivering across the enterprise.

Essential Skills & Experience:

You have a validated strategic background, are passionate about leading, mentoring and influencing people. You can drive decision making and are willing to take smart risks by thoughtfully challenging the status quo. You are motivated by a fast-paced and dynamic business environment, lead through ambiguity positively and get results by influencing.

• Extensive experience working in a Global Business Services operations across multiple functions
• Experience of leading and delivering Global Business Services operations across a broad global footprint
• Experience leading cross-enterprise transformational programmes
• Highly developed organizational, planning, management skills and oral communication skills and work effectively with others
• Strong stakeholder management skills requiring significant senior leader interaction in cross-functional setting
• Strong ability to communicate/ influence employees through major changes
• Global management skills and ability to provide qualitative and quantitative analysis to evaluate and support management decisions
• Ability to demonstrate a sound understanding of GBS to enable credible representation of VP & Leadership team at various internal & external bodies
• Ability to define priorities and focus on areas that add the most value
• Strong negotiation and conflict-resolution skills

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Significant global experience & broad perspective of pharmaceutical organisation

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.

AstraZeneca offers countless opportunities for growth within a dynamic environment. Our talented global team is dedicated to making a big impact on patients' lives by leveraging new technology and digital innovations. We thrive on creativity, collaboration, and taking smart risks to turn ideas into reality.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now!

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.