Head of GBS Operations & Enabling Units Services

Head of GBS Operations & Enabling Units Services

Gaithersburg, USA - All GBS Locations considered

About the role

In GBS we dare to change the way we work – we are brave, resilient and take smart risks with a focus on simplifying the way we work.  Through our global scale and diverse services, we look to drive value through our innovation and expertise.  This requires a team who see no boundaries, can collaborate and challenge the norm and feel empowered, motivated and engaged.

Reporting to the GBS VP as part of the GBS Leadership Team, the Head of GBS Operations & Enabling Units Services will both set the strategy for and deliver shared services to our Legal, Compliance, Finance and Operations organization.  The Head of GBS Operations & Enabling Units Services is accountable and responsible for understanding global Legal, Compliance, Finance and Operations strategies and translating this into operational strategy to deliver effective, efficient ways of working, embracing new technology and agile delivery techniques that robustly deliver day in and day out to our growing needs.  

Over the next 2-5 years we expect to see a large increase in our Legal, Compliance, Finance and Operations activities – with these functions handing increasing regulatory requirements, legal pressure, advancing technology and handling more new product launches reflecting our industry leading pipelines.  The leader of GBS Operations & Enabling Units Services is required to understand and adapt to expected volatility in demand, large scaling and growth targets, while keeping quality and responsiveness high and delivering in year efficiencies to how we work.  Bringing external best practice, benchmarks and clarity to delivery through appropriate measures is critical to support clear, structured customer engagement. 

The current scope of services provided by GBS to these functions range from established (compliance services) to early stages of ideation.  This new role is being established to drive business partnering ahead of business case development and process design, implementation and delivery.  This requires a leader with ambition, entrepreneurial drive and a strong ability to partner, listen and drive for enterprise outcomes.

In addition to the work with our Legal, Compliance, Finance and Operations organization, the Head of GBS Operations & Enabling Units Services will develop business strategies to leverage existing GBS capabilities across the enterprise, and directly input, shape and develop the enterprise GBS strategy to deliver the needs of the Legal, Compliance, Finance and Operations organisations.

The leader of GBS Operations & Enabling Units Services requires leadership through influence, gravitas and vision to position and lead the GBS agenda with the Legal, Compliance, Finance and Operations SET members and the ability to build teams/organisations, processes and utilisation of technology to execute on the vision. 

This role will provide the opportunity to shape, drive and deliver, so we are looking for an individual motivated by:

• The chance to help shape and design the future shared services strategy for AstraZeneca

• Leading and shaping a Legal, Compliance, Finance and Operations expansion agenda to release value through shared services that frees up time, money and reduces organisational risk.

• Operating at the heart of a large and complex function and be part of a multi-disciplinary and diverse team

Key Accountabilities

The role holder will be accountable for:

• Shaping and leading the overall GBS Legal, Compliance, Finance and Operations strategy. Accountable for the delivery and growth of all GBS services delivered specifically into the Legal, Compliance, Finance and Operations organisation.

• Representing GBS with Legal, Compliance, Finance and Operations leadership at all levels to drive shaping of the Strategic plans through in-depth Legal, Compliance, Finance and Operations input and rigorous assessment

• Bringing the new: Through external benchmarks, understanding technology, and disruptive thinking bring new solutions, suggestions and options for process improvement. Focused on high quality delivery, efficiency and user experience, bring fresh ideas to the organisation and leadership teams to drive innovative thinking and step change in delivery.

Leading the GBS Operations & Enabling Units Services in developing, implementing, running and optimising services delivered exclusively to the Legal, Compliance, Finance and Operations Organisation

• Driving ongoing Process and Continuous Improvement across processes, implementing best practices to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of delivery

• Ensuring high quality and timely Legal, Compliance, Finance and Operations services to employees, customers and other stakeholders while maintaining service level agreements and compliance with relevant regulations

• Vendor management: managing relationships with external vendors and service providers to ensure the delivery of critical activities undertaken by 3rd parties

• Developing and monitoring KPIs and CSAT to measure the effectiveness of delivery and customer satisfaction, driving ongoing improvement initiatives.

• Contributing to broader AZ GBS Strategy through active role in opportunity development and organisation development. Lead areas of new opportunities to scale GBS.

• Driving industry leading strategies; shape and lead external engagements, partnerships, and Customer centric solutions

• Communicating and influencing other senior leaders internally and externally in order to support adoption and acceleration of key priorities

• Lead by example in creating an inclusive, high performance team – in an innovative and collaborative organisation.   ; seek opportunities to change paradigm and removes barriers within and outside the team

• Delivering for the Legal, Compliance, Finance and Operations organisation: Leading the team to deliver high quality assets and services globally, on time (24/7) and on budget. Ensuring operations comply with all regulatory requirements with robust business continuity plans and strategies in place.

Essential Criteria

• Strategic & Analytical Capabilities: Ability to see ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies based on data and insight driven analysis.

• Legal, Compliance, Finance and Operations acumen and delivery:  Focus on delivering high-impact opportunities at scale by implementing Legal, Compliance, Finance and Operations specific Capabilities.  Experienced in Legal, Compliance, Finance and/or strategies and the capabilities used to deliver them. 

• Stakeholder Alignment & engagement: Track record of strong cross-functional collaboration ability to lead in a matrix environment with good influencing, networking, stakeholder management skills. Ability to effectively engage with senior stakeholders

• Leadership & Talent Development:  Proven track record of attracting and developing diverse teams and optimizing team performance. Ability to motivate, lead and inspire high performing teams

• Strategic Clarity & Messaging: Successful experience in working in the Legal, Compliance, Finance and/or Operations/GBS space to support our customers); translating insights into into a compelling strategy and enterprise benefits.

• Disruptive thinking to drive scaled performance: Track record of deploying disruptive thinking to bring the new, innovative and technologically relevant process solutions to organisations to change ways of working, improve user experience, excellence in delivery and step change productivity.

• Right touch insight:  Collaborate with internal stakeholders to drive innovative approaches around building a culture of continuous improvement.

• Develop a Great Place to Work: Able to actively engage, inspire and create follower ship of large diverse teams with experience of working cross-cultures and cross-borders. Engenders trust, empowers team and has courageous conversations. Makes fair, impartial and informed talent decisions. Ability to assess and implement changes to organisational model including size & structure to build the future proof capabilities.

• Seasoned pharmaceutical/biotechnology executive (over 10 years) with significant experience and proven leader with sophisticated Shared services management, Legal, Compliance, Finance and/or Operations leadership skills with a solid track record of accomplishment

• Demonstrates strategic and tactical abilities in developing and successfully delivering GBS Capabilities with year on year improvement and high NPS.

• Desirable Criteria

• GBS Acumen: Comprehensive understanding of the GBS space as well as the clear understanding of the external marketplace (current & future) to shape new opportunities. Experience in both Captive and BPO

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.

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.

So, what’s next?

Are you ready to bring new ideas and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant! We have one seat available, and we hope it’s yours.

Where can I find out more? Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram

If this sounds like you.. Apply today!

Date Posted

31-Mar-2026

Closing Date

14-Apr-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.

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.