Director - Data Ops & Data Foundation for Global Operations

AstraZeneca; Chennai District; Hybrid; INR 5,500,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca India seeks a Director to design an AI-ready data ecosystem powering manufacturing, supply chain, and quality. Lead strategy, governance and delivery for 160+ data products enabling trusted insights and autonomous decisions.

You will guide DataOps, data governance, platform leadership (Snowflake, Databricks, Cognite), and AI enablement at scale, ensuring security, compliance, cost efficiency, and cross‑functional collaboration with Ops teams worldwide.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in Data & Analytics, building data infrastructure, data platforms, or Digital Transformation.
• Proven experience leading enterprise-scale data organizations and global teams.
• Strong expertise in DataOps, Data Governance, Data Architecture, Cloud Data Platforms, and Data Product Management.
• Experience delivering large-scale data transformation programs within sophisticated global organizations.
• Proven success in enabling AI, sophisticated data analysis, and initiatives advancing technological modernization.
• Strong financial and vendor management experience.
• Exceptional collaborator management and executive influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and complete the Global Operations Data Foundations strategy in line with Ops2030 and digital and data priorities.
• Develop AI-ready architecture, data mesh principles, and enterprise data standards.
• Establish the long-term roadmap enabling advanced analytics, GenAI, digital twins, and self-governing systems.
• Lead DataOps: automate, observe, ensure data quality, availability, and reuse; enforce standards across the ecosystem.
• Drive platform leadership for Snowflake, Cognite, data catalog, governance, and data quality technologies.

Skills

Data strategy

Data governance

Data architecture

DataOps

Cloud data platforms

Leadership

Stakeholder management

AI / GenAI

Tools

Snowflake

Databricks

Cognite

Collibra

Azure Data Services

Job description

Job title: Director, Data Ops & Data Foundations – Global Operations

GCL: F

Introduction to role:

Are you ready to design an AI-ready data ecosystem at enterprise scale and turn operational data into a strategic edge? This role places you at the center of the methods we use to develop and deliver medicines. You build the data foundations that power manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, quality, and cell therapy operations.

You will lead the strategy, governance, engineering, and operational completion that enable 160+ data products to deliver trusted insights and autonomous decision‑making. How will you build for scale, integrity, and cost efficiency while accelerating AI adoption and advancing our Ops2030 vision?

Accountabilities:

• Define and complete the Global Operations Data Foundations strategy in line with Ops2030 and digital and data priorities. Develop AI‑ready architecture, data mesh principles, and enterprise data standards. Establish the long‑term roadmap enabling advanced analytics, GenAI, digital twins, and self‑governing systems..
• Data Products and DataOps: Lead the operational framework supporting 160+ enterprise data products across multiple operational domains; establish DataOps practices, automation, observability, reliability, and lifecycle management; raise data quality, availability, discoverability, and reuse; implement consistent engineering standards across the ecosystem.
• Platform Leadership: Lead strategic platforms including Snowflake, Cognate, data catalog, data governance, and data quality technologies; drive platform modernization, cloud optimization, and integration strategies; keep platforms scalable, secure, compliant, and efficient; expand automation and self‑service at scale.
• AI and Digital Transformation Enablement: Build the foundational capabilities for AI at scale; enable trusted data access for GenAI, machine learning, sophisticated analytics, and autonomous manufacturing initiatives; champion innovation in data engineering, data products, and intelligent automation.
• Governance and Compliance: Establish enterprise‑wide governance frameworks, policies, and controls; ensure data integrity, security, privacy, and regulatory compliance; advance master data, metadata, cataloging, lineage, and stewardship; serve as the senior issue point for critical data risks and operational issues.
• Delivery and Value Realisation: Lead a distributed team spanning data platform engineering, DataOps, governance, and product enablement; deliver strategic programs and transformation initiatives to plan and budget; drive measurable outcomes through cost optimization, productivity gains, and improved decision quality; define, monitor, and report targets for platform performance, data quality, adoption, and value realization.
• Collaborator Leadership: Act as the technology partner to leaders across Operations, Analytics and Information Management, Production, Logistics, Purchasing, and Quality; build positive relationships with external vendors, strategic partners, and platform providers; lead executive communications on data strategy, risk, and investment priorities.
• Leadership and Culture: Act as custodian of the AI‑ready data foundation; encourage high‑performing global teams; develop a culture of innovation, automation, ownership, and continuous improvement; balance strategic vision with operational completion; translate technology investments into business value.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• 15+ years of experience in Data & Analytics, building data infrastructure, data platforms, or Digital Transformation.
• Proven experience leading enterprise‑scale data organizations and global teams.
• Strong expertise in DataOps, Data Governance, Data Architecture, Cloud Data Platforms, and Data Product Management.
• Experience delivering large‑scale data transformation programs within sophisticated global organizations.
• Proven success in enabling AI, sophisticated data analysis, and initiatives advancing technological modernization.
• Strong financial and vendor management experience.
• Exceptional collaborator management and executive influencing skills.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Experience within Life Sciences, Pharmaceuticals, production, logistics, or regulated industries.
• Knowledge of Snowflake, Databricks, Cognate, Collibra, Azure Data Services, and modern data architectures.
• Experience implementing Data Mesh and Product‑Centric Data Operating Models.
• Understanding of Industry 4.0, Digital Manufacturing, and Autonomous Operations.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we fuel 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 bold world.

Why AstraZeneca:

Here, the data infrastructure you build directly influences how life‑changing medicines reach patients. You will work with brand‑new platforms and bold problem solvers, bringing engineers, data scientists, and operations leaders together to tackle problems few have tackled before. Backed by meaningful investment and a clear vision to be driven by technology and information, you will build enterprise‑scale capabilities that drive speed, quality, and impact. We value courtesy alongside ambition, and we create space for experimentation, learning, and shared ownership—so your ideas can move from whiteboard to factory floor and make a difference the world can see.

Lead the data foundation that powers autonomous operations and better patient outcomes—step forward to build the future of how we develop and distribute medicines.

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 authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.