Risk Assessment Lead

AstraZeneca plc; Mumbai; On-site; INR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc in India is seeking a Risk Assessment Lead to oversee enterprise risk management, internal audit, and financial controls across the India Marketing Company (AZPIL). You will lead audits, maintain risk registers, and drive process improvements with cross-functional teams.

Ideal candidates are Chartered Accountants with 10+ years' post-qualification experience, strong knowledge of financial controls, taxation, and governance, and the ability to partner with senior leadership to

Qualifications

• CA with 10+ years post-qualification experience.
• Experience in internal audit in regulated industries; pharma preferred.
• Deep knowledge of financial accounting, internal controls, audit, processes, and taxation.
• Proven ability to develop financial reports, controls, and performance metrics.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication; engage and influence senior leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to operate in a cross-functional environment.
• Adherence to AstraZeneca values.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise risk agenda with key risks and mitigations.
• Develop and manage the annual internal audit plan based on risk.
• Oversee quarterly audits with external consultants and internal stakeholders.
• Track remediation actions from audits for timely closure.
• Oversee BRSR reporting with auditors and stakeholders.
• Maintain Risk Register with cross-functional input for governance.
• Oversee the Financial Controls Framework for India Marketing Company.
• Monitor high-risk areas ensuring compliance with AstraZeneca standards.
• Collaborate on whistleblowing reviews and forensic risk assessments.
• Review new business initiatives for risk and mitigation.
• Conduct distributor risk assessments and escalation where needed.
• Mentor Process Excellence Lead on annual audit plan.

Skills

CA

Internal audit

Financial reporting

Financial controls

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Chartered Accountant (CA)

Job description

Role Purpose

TheRisk Assessment Leadis accountable for overseeing enterprise risk management forAZPIL, ensuring effective controls, policies, and monitoring mechanisms are in place to protect the organisation from internal and external risk exposure.

The role has end-to-end responsibility for:

• Internal auditleadership and execution
• Enterprise risk assessmentand maintenance of the risk register
• Financial controls frameworkoversight
• Internal monitoringof high-risk business areas
• Forensic riskand whistleblowing review support
• Process excellence, simplification, and automationinitiatives

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the enterprise risk agendaby proactively identifying key risks and ensuring appropriate mitigating controls, processes, and governance mechanisms are established.
• Develop and manage the annual internal audit planbased on risk assessment and periodic refresh of the audit universe.
• Oversee quarterly internal audits, partnering with external consultants and internal stakeholders to ensure timely completion, robust reporting, and effective presentation of findings to Board committees.
• Track and follow up on remediation actionsarising from internal audit reports to ensure timely and sustainable closure.
• Oversee Business Responsibility & sustainability report (BRSR), partnering with auditors and internal stakeholders to ensure timely completion, robust reporting.
• Own and maintain the Risk Registerin collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders, capturingactive, emerging, and enduring risks, along with mitigation plans for presentation to governance committees.
• Own the Financial Controls Framework (FCF)for the India Marketing Company, ensuring alignment with global standards while incorporating additional local controls where required.
• Independently monitor high-risk areassuch asPatient Assistance Programs, diagnostics, and government business supply, ensuring processes are compliant with AstraZeneca standards and control expectations.
• Partner with Compliance and external advisorson whistleblowing case reviews and forensic risk assessments, ensuring appropriate governance and follow-through.
• Review new business initiatives at the ideation stageas part of cross-functional teams, identifying risks and recommending mitigation strategies across contracts, SOPs, and business cases.
• Conduct annual distributor risk assessmentsfor institutional distributors and other high-risk third parties, escalating concerns and recommending corrective actions where needed.
• Mentor the Process Excellence Leadin developing and executing the annual process audit plan, reviewing audit outcomes, and supporting implementation of action plans.
• Perform periodic self-reviews of key business processes, including travel bookings, procurement, sponsorships, and meetings, to identify trends, control gaps, and improvement opportunities.
• Maintain regular engagement with Distribution, Government Business, and Compliance teamsto strengthen controls, processes, and policy effectiveness.
• Drive process simplification and automation initiatives, including the use ofAI-enabled toolsfor exception monitoring,iRisk, andSOP centralisationthroughMaster SOP.
• Monitor usage and reporting of compliance toolsrelated to statutory compliance obligations.
• Collaborate with business teams on automation projects, such asNRV tool automation,SAP integrations, and other process improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency and control.

Essential Requirements

• Qualified Chartered Accountant (CA)with10+ years of post-qualification experience
• Strong experience ininternal audit, ideally within a regulated industry;pharmaceutical industry experienceis preferred but not essential
• Deep knowledge offinancial accounting, internal controls, audit, business processes, and taxation
• Proven experience in developingfinancial reports, controls, and performance metrics
• Strongstakeholder management, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to engage and influencesenior leadership
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a complex, cross-functional environment
• Consistent demonstration ofAstraZeneca Values

Preferred Leadership Profile

The ideal candidate will bring a combination ofrisk leadership, business partnering, governance strength, and transformation mindset. They should be comfortable working at both strategic and operational levels, with the credibility to challenge constructively, influence senior stakeholders, and drive meaningful improvements in risk and control effectiveness.

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.

Where can I find out more?

• Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/
• Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/
• Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/astrazeneca_careers/?hl=en
• If you have site, country or departmental social media then feel free to switch any of the above links.

Date Posted

03-Oct-2026

Closing Date

08-Oct-2026

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.