Commercial Data Governance Lead

AstraZeneca; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A global biopharmaceutical company in Cambridge is seeking a Commercial Data Governance Lead to implement a data governance framework and manage large projects. This role requires a solid understanding of data governance principles, experience in a multinational environment, and excellent stakeholder management skills. You will lead initiatives that enhance data delivery and ensure alignment with commercial goals in a dynamic team environment.

Benefits

Lifelong learning and development opportunities

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Solid understanding of data governance principles including data stewardship.
• Experience navigating data privacy regulations such as GDPR.
• Hands-on experience with data governance and management tools.

Responsibilities

• Drive regional adoption and adherence to data standards and policies.
• Partner with regional customers to optimize services.
• Plan and deliver initiatives to enhance data management.

Skills

Data governance principles

Stakeholder management

Commercial domain expertise

Leadership skills

Data management software proficiency

Value realisation

Tools

Collibra

Informatica

Power BI

Job description

Overview

Location: Cambridge, UK

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world's most serious diseases. Here, employees are empowered to express diverse perspectives and are valued for their ideas and creativity.

The GBS Data Office (GDO) provides Data Governance, Data Management and Assurance services for the AstraZeneca organisation. The scope covers Finance Master Data, Supplier/Vendor Master Data, Customer Master Data and data services for our Commercial business units (including Sales data, Product data, market share, digital data). The GDO vision is to be a collaborative, trusted, innovative and value-led enterprise-level data function enabling process excellence and timely decision making. The GDO plans to transform data management services and expand to additional data domains where there is business value.

The Commercial Data Governance Lead is responsible for implementing the Commercial Data Governance Framework for a Commercial region and leading large data governance projects and initiatives within the function.

The role will be dedicated to a region to ensure impact and value of the GDO in market through efficient and accurate data processes and governance services.

You will lead a change agenda that delivers efficiency, consistency and alignment across the data management lifecycle for commercial data and enables deployment of AI and Automation across data processes. You will work with colleagues across the GDO, including data operations, data enablement and data policy & compliance teams, to ensure services meet customer requirements and align with AZ Enterprise data principles, policies and standards.

As a key member of the GDO team you will contribute to the department's future direction, identify opportunities to grow service provision, build talent and capability across the GDO and lead team engagement activities to support AstraZeneca being a Great Place To Work.

Typical accountabilities

• Drive regional adoption and adherence to enterprise and commercial data standards and policies as defined in the data governance framework.
• Partner effectively with regional customers and senior stakeholders to ensure they leverage GBS services and that existing services are efficient and optimised.
• Establish the vision and strategic direction for projects in alignment with the overall GBS and Commercial business goals.
• Foster a culture of collaboration between Commercial Data Office team members and GDO capability teams.
• Plan and deliver initiatives to enhance data management service delivery.
• Collaborate with Senior Director, Commercial to enhance service offerings and identify process improvements.
• Establish a strong delivery framework including standard operating procedures to support effective data management that delivers accurate, trusted master data in source systems.
• Identify a clear value framework that monitors productivity and business value realization from data projects.
• Follow a continuous improvement culture to identify and promote opportunities to improve and standardise processes.
• Ad hoc project work as required within AZ functional team.
• Act as a conduit and critical issue route between global data stewards and in-market data stewards and data product managers.
• Establish a clear vision and strategy for data projects within remit.
• Produce roadmaps and project plans, and ensure delivery of key milestones.

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Essential:

• Solid understanding of data governance principles: knowledge of frameworks such as DAMA-DMBOK or equivalent, including data stewardship, metadata management, data quality, and master data management.
• Familiarity with data privacy and compliance: experience navigating data privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA, etc.) and industry-specific compliance requirements.
• Data management software proficiency: hands-on experience with data governance and management tools (e.g., Collibra, Informatica, Alation, or similar).
• Commercial domain expertise: understanding of commercial business processes (digital engagement, marketing, customer relationship management) in the pharmaceuticals sector.
• Hands-on experience managing a driven customer-centric data, or reporting/analytics team delivering to deadlines.
• Stakeholder management: experience engaging, influencing, and collaborating with senior team members, including commercial leaders, IT, compliance, and data owners.
• Value realisation: ability to link data governance initiatives to commercial objectives and KPIs, demonstrating impact of improved data quality on business outcomes.
• Excellent leadership skills around people development and customer focus.
• Experience working with commercial data in a large organisation and communicating with senior commercial stakeholders.
• A consistent track record of delivering business value and awareness of service levels.
• In-depth understanding of core data domains in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Experience implementing and leading change programs and/or managing teams through rapid change environments.

Desirable:

• Exposure to a multinational pharmaceutical firm with intricate/geographical environments.
• Knowledge of key commercial data sets (Customer, Product, sales, customer interaction) data management systems, data structures and principles.
• Project Management Skills.
• Excel / Power BI analytics capability.
• Knowledge of Reltio would be desirable.

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. We balance the expectation of being in the office with individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

At AstraZeneca, innovation is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to discovering new therapeutics that address global healthcare challenges. Our diverse teams foster creativity and collaboration, empowering you to take smart risks and push boundaries. With a focus on lifelong learning and development, you''ll find opportunities to grow your career while making a meaningful impact on patients'' lives worldwide.

Where can I find out more?

Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/

Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/

Are you ready to make a difference? Apply today and join us in our mission to improve global public health!

Date Posted 17-sept-2025

Closing Date 29-sept-2025

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.