Internal Audit Director, AZ Enabling Functions and Alexion (Commercial)

Internal Audit Director, AZ Enabling Functions and Alexion – Commercial

Location: Boston

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused pharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of life-changing medicines across our three strategic priorities – Oncology, Biopharmaceuticals, and Rare Disease.

We’re proud to have a unique workplace culture that inspires innovation and collaboration. Here, employees are empowered to express diverse perspectives and are made to feel valued, energized and rewarded for their ideas and creativity. We work together across global boundaries to make an impact and find answers to challenges.

Group Internal Audit

Group Internal Audit (GIA) is an independent and objective assurance activity guided by a philosophy of contributing to improve the operations of AZ. Our remit is to provide assurance over compliance, operational, strategic, and technology risks and ensure they are being managed effectively. As valued partners across the enterprise, Group Internal Audit provides AstraZeneca Leaders the independent assurance and insight to navigate risks as they push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines.  We draw on our network of diverse minds, harnessing our unique views and ideas, to improve how AstraZeneca runs.

We aim to be a top-performing internal audit function, known for our integrity, objectivity, confidentiality, and competence - all underpinned by a successful team culture.

Accountabilities

In this role, you will be responsible for planning, managing, and delivering a portfolio of complex audits within AZ Enabling Functions and Alexion. You will be required to quickly building relationships with Alexion Stakeholders leader and teams, evaluate risks and controls, and interpret policies related to bribery, off-label marketing, and IT/digital/data privacy.

• Support the Head of Audit (AstraZeneca Enabling Functions and Alexion) in fulfilling GIA’s remit with a focus on the AZ Enabling Functions and the Alexion Rare Disease Unit.
• Support the Head of Audit (AstraZeneca Enabling Functions and Alexion) in periodically revisiting the audit plan in the context of a fast-evolving business, risk landscape and assurance needs.
• Maintain an understanding of the business risk landscape, especially as it pertains to your assigned portfolio and how ongoing transformation and harmonization affects the risk landscape.
• Work with internal and external teams on a multi-functional portfolio of audits, risk reviews, and advisory services.
• Oversee audits in a manner that ensures timely planning, execution, and delivery of our services. Solicit feedback on our performance after each audit.
• Provide meaningful insight to the business both through audit delivery and informal engagement with key collaborators as opportunities and risks arise.
• Foster a strong sense of team within GIA.
• Advance a culture of lifelong learning. Champion inclusion and diversity in GIA. Promote building digital IQ of all team members.
• Be bold in challenging conventional thinking on risk, audit selection, and scope so we can maximize the value we bring to the organization.
• Ensure our work is in conformance with professional standards and internal ways of working.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• 8+ years of previous experience of auditing / advising on governance, risk, and controls, ideally within the Pharma or Biotech sectors.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, Accounting or related field, Master’s degree preferred.
• Ability and desire to act autonomously, effectively prioritizing and managing a portfolio of audits and associated tasks, while also supporting the overall performance and development of the function.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, lead complex and challenging audits, manage individual assignments, and coordinate and monitor broader programs.
• Ability to work in a matrix organization, managing and motivating multi-disciplinary teams across various global locations.
• A high level of personal integrity, tenacity, and independence.
• Ability to analyze complex issues from a range of perspectives and form considered judgements around the actions to be taken.
• A flexible communication style, able to adjust your approach and influence others, including senior leaders.
• Strong business English, including both written and verbal communication.
• Ability to undertake travel internationally (up to 25% of working days).

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with t