Head of Audit, IT & Digital

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world's most serious diseases. We are contributing to the transformation of healthcare, re-setting expectations on how to augment patient outcomes by using digital health solutions in combination with life-changing treatments.

At AstraZeneca we believe in the potential of our people and you’ll develop beyond what you thought possible. We make the most of your skills and passion by actively supporting you to see what you can achieve no matter where you start with us. At AstraZeneca the only one who can put limits on the scope of your career is you. With the right skills and passion we'll help you explore what AstraZeneca has to offer.

This role sits within our Global Internal Audit (GIA) team, providing independent assurance that we’re achieving our objectives effectively and in the right way.  Our remit is to provide assurance over compliance, operational and strategic risks and ensure they are being managed effectively. 

As our Internal Head of Audit for IT & Digital, you will report to the VP Internal Audit; with membership of our senior Leadership team you’ll have real scope to make an impact as our aim is to be a top-performing Internal Audit function.  

We are accepting applications for U.S. (Gaithersburg) and UK (Macclesfield) location.

Main duties and responsibilities

You’ll take prime responsibility for the development of the annual programme of IT & Digital audits (including risks such as strategic, cyber security, data, privacy, AI, programme assurance, etc). You’ll build and maintain strong senior stakeholder relationships and become the focal point for advice and assurance over IT risk in its broadest sense, to the CIO and the broader IT organisation globally.

You’ll demonstrate flexibility, confidence and judgement around risks and controls, and use this to inform audit conclusions, identify business value and build great relationships. You’ll combine business understanding, strategic insights and audit experience when sharing themes with the business on the challenges and risks that arise.  Another key focus will be to line manage and build a team with the right skills for today and tomorrow to excel in the service we deliver to AstraZeneca. You’ll provide oversight, coaching and feedback to our team to support development and drive performance across the GIA team. In everything you’ll do, you’ll look to drive continuous improvement.

To be successful in this role, you will be:

Experienced in an audit leadership role, in a large global matrix organisation. Ideally, you have pharma sector experience, with audit experience in Cyber security, Digital Transformation, Data, AI, IT Resilience and Emerging Technologies. And your IT knowledge and personal attributes means you could make an exceptional Head of Audit (IT & Digital) with AstraZeneca.

You’ll have:

• Excellent IT knowledge, specifically in the areas of Strategy, Cyber security, Digital Health, Data, AI, and Emerging Technologies

• Accumulated business knowledge and expertise to help inform GIA view of risk and develop a variety of assurance strategies

• A collaborative style, working with the GIA SLT and Senior Leaders and Executives to lead us from good to leading edge, in terms of the way we work, how we provide assurance and how we influence the enterprise as a whole, including use of Data Analytics and AI

 Other requirements for the role:

• A relevant degree (IT, Finance, Business Management) or postgraduate professional qualification CISA/CISM accreditation

• 10 years+ experience of leading teams to complete multiple complex audits across different global locations

• Ability to travel both domestically and internationally (potentially up to 10% of working days) to oversee high risk audits and conduct effective stakeholder relationship management

• Ability to work collaboratively to build excellent relationships and networks with key internal stakeholders.

• An excellent communicator with strong influencing, negotiating and ambassadorial skills

• Totally reliable with good judgement and an ability to analyse and deal with complex issues in a variety of mature and emerging business environments