Associate Director, R&D Data Privacy and AI

Location: Barcelona, Spain (on-site) / 3 days working from the office.

The R&D Data Office is embarking on a bold transformation to support AZ ambitions to double the productivity of the R&D drug development pipeline by 2030; empowered through effective use of data and AI to power scientific innovation and accelerate data driven decisions speeding the delivery of medicines for patients.  The Data and AI Policy and Governance team stands at the forefront of this change; unlocking data and AI use in a responsible way to enable the business while at the same time protecting patient data and meeting our regulatory obligations.  The Associate Director of R&D Data Privacy and AI will play a key role in this mission leading projects to shape, implement, and manage data privacy and AI governance balancing business benefit and risk enabling responsible use of data and AI.

The Associate Director of R&D Data Privacy and AI will play a lead role in governing our data privacy and AI governance program; working closely with R&D customers, data office, data privacy officer, risk and compliance, legal, and information security teams.  They will be accountable for developing and maintaining a right-level data privacy and AI governance framework that demonstrates control while reducing the burden on stakeholders and the data privacy and AI governance team. They will transform and mature the data privacy and AI governance framework with a focus on lifecycle management, improved scalability and sustainability, and meaningful value capture and reporting over the framework.  Further, the Associate Director of R&D Data Privacy and AI will be a part of a larger network of legal and compliance professionals that work together to enable compliant scientific research; unlocking the value of data & AI for R&D through the development of clear policy frameworks, ethical, and legal management.  Demonstrated experience with stakeholder management, project management, policy development, and knowledge of global laws and regulations, such as the EU AI Act, Clinical Trials Regulation, human biosamples regulations, and data privacy laws (including EU GDPR and UK GDPR) are necessary for success.

Typical Accountabilities

• Accountable for developing and maintaining a right-level of privacy controls across data and AI projects, partnering with R&D stakeholders to capture high level compliant processes that drive research and drug development
• Lead the successful implementation and management of a master record of processing framework; integrating privacy impact assessments, AI impact assessments, data transfer impact assessments, security assessments, and other risk and compliance assessments into an integrated workflow simplifying the user experience
• Make data privacy and AI governance accessible to stakeholders though development of effective policies, processes, and trainings focused on engaging the users from a business perspective
• Responsible for day-to-day data privacy risk detection, management, mitigation as well as security incidents and audits
• Provide expert data privacy and AI compliance consultancy services, helping both Data Office and business stakeholders to understand and apply current policies and best practices and/or evaluate new situations
• Provide experience in drafting, revising, and negotiating data privacy and AI clauses, contracts and procedures.
• Maintain relationships with key stakeholders and close awareness of corporate initiatives, industry standards, and regulations
• Develop a culture of data and AI compliance, collaborating with other members of the Data Office and Data Science and AI community to support data, privacy, and AI risk management and ensure compliant use of data and AI
• Actively contribute to the Data and AI Policy and Governance team strategy, goals, and roadmap
• Act as a trusted business partner; using creativity to solve for challenges; using influence to remove barriers; and using voice to escalate risks and issues
• Actively contribute to the R&D Data Office’s fun and innovative culture, bring your authentic self, take time for community, celebrate the diversity of thought and identity, take risks, and accept failures
• Contribute to the evangelism of R&D Data Office’s prowess and accomplishments through targeted communications, celebration of achievements, conferences, and/or external communications
• Represent AstraZeneca externally, promoting AstraZeneca’s position and value proposition in responsible data and AI use, and be the exemplary thought leader within AstraZeneca in this space

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Essential

• Demonstrated experience working cross functionally in leading data privacy, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Law in the life sciences or pharma industry
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in a relevant legal or compliance field
• CIPP/E or equivalent data privacy and AI qualification
• Demonstrated experience leading in a data privacy related role
• Excellent communication skills and ability to build positive relationships in a complex matrix environment
• Excellent organisational skills, and ability to juggle different projects/priorities and deliver high quality outcomes under pressure
• Requires the energy, and motivation to work across global & functional boundaries
• Travel – willingness and ability to travel domestically & internationally.
• Resilience – ability to overcome and motivate others in the face of a changing environment

Desirable

• Highly collaborative with demonstrated experience influencing and communicating with cross-functional stakeholders
• Energized by developing a culture of compliance and continuous learning environment  
• Proven ability to tackle the unknown with confidence

• Energized by working with talented and diverse teams toward a common goal
• Experience of achieving tangible and acknowledged value in a similar position and scale of challenge and opportunity
• Curiosity and ability to learn new tools and technologies

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 authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.