Senior Director, Data Strategy & Performance

ASTRAZENECA UK LIMITED; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global biopharmaceutical company in Cambridge seeks a Strategy & Performance Director to enhance data capabilities in the GBS Data Office. This role involves oversight of performance delivery, driving strategic initiatives, and influencing senior leaders. Ideal candidates will possess strong analytical and strategic skills along with excellent communication abilities. Join a team committed to transforming healthcare with innovative solutions.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a business partnering role within a shared services or GBS environment.
• Ability to synthesize complex information and tell a compelling story about GBS value.
• Demonstrated ability to align services with strategic goals and drive performance improvements.

Responsibilities

• Develop a strategy for the GBS Data Office that will enhance data capabilities.
• Oversee the GBS Data Office performance delivery and establish an annual delivery plan.
• Drive continuous performance improvements and strategic initiatives within GBS service.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Strong communication

Relationship management

Job description

Overview

The Strategy & Performance Director plays a critical role within the Global Business Services (GBS) service, representing a specific area of GBS (either functional or enterprise service) and ensuring its strategic needs are met. This role requires a deep understanding of the holistic strategy of the customer, including pricing, volume, demand, and opportunities across GBS. A key responsibility is to collate and present the GBS story, effectively communicating value and performance to the customer. This role demands a strategic thinker with excellent analytical skills, capable of influencing senior leaders and driving performance improvements across the organisation. This role will report to the Head of the GBS Data Office.

Context: GBS Data Office

The GBS Data Office provides a broad range of data services covering the Commercial, Finance and Enabling units. Our scope covers Data Governance, Stewardship and Assurance across numerous critical data sets, including the provision of data management services (creation, maintenance and retirement of data across its life-cycle) and the on-boarding of external commercial data to AZ systems. The team has expanded significantly over the last 24 months to c. 150+ team members, reflecting the growing team capabilities, proven track record of transitioning services (either insourcing or role transitions) and the wider enterprise need to invest in the data foundation. The Data Strategy & Performance Director plays a critical role for the GBS Data Office team and covers three main areas.

Responsibilities

• Develop a strategy for the GBS Data Office that will enhance the data capabilities across existing services, identify opportunities to expand scope to other data sets and meet emerging business demands. A key measure of success will be translating an ambitious strategy into plan execution: developing implementation approaches, transition planning, service management framework, ensuring resource management and capability build are in place, which will ultimately realise business value.
• In close partnership with the Head of GBS Data Office and Data Leaders from other business functions, contribute to the wider AstraZeneca data and analytics strategy development. This includes developing strategic proposals for consideration at AstraZeneca's Enterprise Data Governance Council, evaluating new data services or capabilities, partnering with functional leaders to assess data challenges and develop business cases that create value or generate cost savings.
• Oversee the GBS Data Office performance delivery, including establishing an annual delivery plan, working with Team Leads to ensure stretch performance targets are in place for service lines, including key KPIs, SLAs and value measures. Monitor monthly performance and provide regular reporting to the GDO LT and wider the GBS team, including analysis on performance issues. Coordinate annual budget activities to ensure internal recharge processes are well executed, including monitoring service pricing and agreeing service provisions with internal customers. Analyse pricing, volume, demand, and opportunities to inform decision-making and strategic planning.
• Collaborate with GBS teams to ensure alignment of services with customer expectations and strategic goals.
• Enable the collection and dissemination of information to articulate the GBS value proposition to the customer.
• Drive continuous performance improvements and strategic initiatives within the GBS service.
• Monitor and report on GBS performance metrics, identifying areas for improvement and growth.
• Govern the overall delivery and relationship with the customer, including risk management.
• Leverage external perspectives, industry research, and best practices to support innovation and strategic development across GBS.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders to influence and drive strategic alignment.
• Drive the development of business cases for the delivery of new demand or services.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards in all strategic activities.
• Long-term strategic planning for the service, including existing and/or new capabilities, working with the Head of Strategy, GBS, to ensure alignment with GBS strategy.
• Define and deliver communication plans, aligning with the central GBS Communication team.
• Drive service design, including operating model with processes, org design, technology requirements, pricing, etc.
• Lead and inspire a high-performing team, fostering a culture of skill development and accountability through effective people management and strategic leadership where applicable.

Qualifications and Experience

• The role demands a strategic thinker with excellent analytical skills, capable of influencing senior leaders, with strong communication skills and a track record of driving change across the organisation. Proven experience in a business partnering role within a shared services or GBS environment.
• Strong analytical and strategic capabilities with a focus on pricing, volume, and demand analysis.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders.
• Experience in preparing for and participating in high-level customer interactions and boards.
• Demonstrated ability to align services with strategic goals and drive performance improvements.
• Strong relationship management skills and ability to work effectively in a matrix organisation.
• Ability to synthesize complex information and tell a compelling story about GBS value and performance.

Desirable skills and experience

• GBS Acumen: Comprehensive understanding of the GBS space, as well as a clear understanding of the external marketplace (current & future) to shape new opportunities. Experience in both Captive and BPO.
• Experience in digital transformation and strategic change initiatives.
• Awareness of data governance capabilities.
• Experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry may be advantageous; understanding of market dynamics and strategic planning in a GBS context is beneficial.

Why AstraZeneca?

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. Join us in our unique and ambitious world. AstraZeneca is where scientific leadership changes patients’ lives. We strive to understand diverse populations' needs and act accordingly, striving to transform healthcare for everyone. Our ground-breaking pipeline promises a bright future with exciting opportunities. Be proud to take your place in our global enterprise as we lead the way for healthcare and society.