Director, RDU IT - Business Partner, Global Medical Affairs IT

Introduction to role:

Are you ready to lead the charge in transforming the future of medical technology? As the Director, IT Business Partner for Global Medical Affairs, you'll be at the forefront of innovation within the Rare Disease Unit (RDU). In this pivotal role, you'll craft and complete a visionary technology roadmap that propels digital transformation and operational excellence. Your strategic insights will empower Medical Affairs to harness brand-new technology solutions, enhancing scientific engagement and improving patient outcomes. Are you prepared to make a difference?

Accountabilities:

You will be responsible for:

- Acting as a trusted advisor and thought partner to Global Medical Affairs leadership, translating business strategy and needs into actionable technology initiatives.
- Building and maintaining a comprehensive Medical IT roadmap aligned with RDU priorities and global enterprise IT strategy.
- Leading the successful delivery of Medical IT projects and programs—including business process improvements, data integration, and system digitization—while ensuring quality, timeliness, and regulatory compliance (GxP, privacy, security).
- Facilitating development of arguments, value realization, and executive communications to support technology investments across Medical, and partnering on cross-functional initiatives with Commercial, R&D, and enabling functions.
- Driving the evaluation and adoption of innovative technologies (digital health, data analytics, AI, etc.) to solve critical Medical business challenges and improve Medical-to-Market capabilities.
- Overseeing effective change management, communications, and solution adoption across diverse Medical teams and collaborators.
- Maintaining and developing collaborative relationships across AstraZeneca/Alexion IT, the broader RDU, and external partners and vendors.
- Leading post-implementation reviews (“lessons learned”) to continually enhance project delivery and process performance.
- Managing and developing talent within the Medical IT business partnership, fostering a culture of high performance, learning, and continuous improvement.
- Supporting key enterprise activities such as annual operating planning, system strategy, and regulatory reporting as they relate to Medical.

Essential Skills/Experience:

- Bachelor’s degree
- 10+ years of minimum experience
- Demonstrated technology leadership experience in the pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences industry, especially supporting Medical Affairs, medical IT, or adjacent business areas.
- Demonstrated experience leading and delivering large, complex projects or programs in a global, matrixed organization.
- Strong discernment with experience implementing or optimizing enterprise technology, digital, data, or analytics platforms in a regulated (GxP, GDPR, etc.) setting.
- Track record of building and maintaining productive relationships with executive collaborators, including influencing and negotiating to align strategy and delivery.
- Excellent analytical problem-solving skills and ability to translate business needs into technology solutions.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present to senior leaders.
- Demonstrated leadership skills, including experience developing teams and fostering a collaborative, high-performance environment.
- Strong organizational, prioritization, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

- Bachelor's Degree in Business, Information Systems, Life Sciences, Data Science, or a related field.
- Demonstrated expertise in Business Relationship Management, acting as a strategic partner to senior business collaborators in a complex, matrixed life sciences or healthcare organization.
- Experience building and scaling business partnerships between Medical functions and IT, with a proven track record of influencing business strategy and enabling transformation through technology.
- Deep knowledge of the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, especially regarding Medical Affairs business processes, digital engagement models, and technology enablement.
- Experience developing and leading innovation programs, pilots, or co-creation initiatives that drive measurable business value and collaborator engagement.
- Advanced interpersonal skills, with evidence of effective collaborator management, conflict resolution, and networking across diverse business, technical, and vendor communities.
- Experience facilitating business process redesign, case development, or value realization exercises in partnership with functional and technical leaders.
- Strong understanding of governance frameworks for business demand management, pr