Senior Director Global IT - Strategy, Change & Results (12-months Contract)

Position: Senior Director Global IT – Strategy, Change & Results (12-months Contract)
Location: Macclesfield, UK
Competitive Salary & Excellent Company Benefits

Introduction  
In this exciting opportunity, the Senior Director of Strategy & Change leads the Global IT strategy planning and deployment process, as well as the Change Management Centre for Enablement. Central to this role is the accountability for the successful delivery of our multi-year Global IT strategy, driving business outcomes and ensuring a clear cascade of strategy across the 9 IT functions.

This role requires experience in developing strategic plans and delivering them at scale within a complex, global organization through effective team leadership and matrix collaboration. The position provides an opportunity to build strong partnerships with senior IT leaders, including the CIO and the IT Leadership Team.

You will play a lead role in crafting the storyboard and content for strategic presentations, highlighting IT’s value, innovation agenda, and key outcomes. Working in close partnership with the CIO and ITLT, this role will ensure that Global IT is consistently represented as a forward-thinking, value-driving partner across the AstraZeneca enterprise.

As the enterprise capability lead for OKRs and the Global IT lead for Change Management, the individual must be fluent in the OKR methodology and Change Management approaches. This role holder is responsible for uplifting both capability areas and integrating them across Global IT. Additionally, they oversee the WorkBoard application and drive ongoing improvements in ways of working within both capability areas.

To excel in this role, a strategic thinker is required—someone capable of confidently leading meetings, influencing in a matrix environment, and evangelizing OKRs. The ideal candidate must be a passionate team leader, motivated by the vision of steering strategic success and making a significant impact across the organization.

Accountabilities

Strategy Planning & Execution Leadership

• Lead the evolution and delivery of the Global IT strategy planning and deployment process, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Develop clear, concise, and compelling messaging that positions IT as a strategic enabler of innovation and transformation.
• Cascade the multi-year Global IT strategy across the 9 IT functions through close partnerships with each function to provide direction, support, and coaching.
• Drive the IT2030 strategy by leading the matrix strategy team of senior leaders, maintaining energy and focus to achieve key outcomes.
• Inspire Global IT colleagues through targeted internal campaigns that articulate their roles in the strategy and key strategy achievements.
• Enhance cross-functional collaboration through management of the Cross Functional Planning process and partnership with the Enterprise Architecture team.
• Cultivate strategic relationships with senior business leaders and develop a deep understanding of business strategies to ensure IT investments align with business objectives.
• Coach IT functions in the IT Strategy Deployment process to facilitate successful execution.
• Report on strategy progress via the IT Scorecard process and IT2030 quarterly reporting.

OKR Deployment

• Manage the IT OKR implementation to drive alignment and expand usage across Global IT, embedding OKR practices to enhance performance transparency within IT teams.
• Foster enthusiasm for OKRs among senior leaders and the wider Global IT team to promote improved outcomes.
• Develop the OKR coach capability and sponsor the enterprise coach network.
• Oversee the relationship with the WorkBoard vendor to drive service and capability improvements.

Change Management

• Lead the Global IT Change Management Centre for Enablement to enhance change management capabilities through quality training, guidance, and engagement initiatives.
• Collaborate with each IT function to implement change management practices that drive engagement and facilitate adoption.
• Oversee a team that partners with IT colleagues at all levels, providing consultancy and support for change implementation.
• Sponsor the Change Management Community of Practice and maintain relationships with change leads across AstraZeneca to ensure consistency and share best practices.

Team Development, Networking & Collaboration

• Coach and inspire the team and build a talent pipeline to encourage career progression and team engagement.
• Model matrix working and embrace change as organizational needs evolve.
• Engage in networking internally and externally to stay informed about industry trends and key capabilities.

Essential Skills/Experience

• BA/BSc degree required, MBA or advanced degree preferred in Information Technology, Business Administration, or related field
• Experience in strategy, transformation and business operations, plus practical knowledge and experience in the OKR methodology and change management practices
• Experience in leading cross-functional and/or cross-segment teams with demonstrated ability to rapidly establish diverse relationships
• Ability to independently drive implementation of global strategic change management and communications with measurable results
• High-energy strategic problem solver with exceptional ability to bring clarity to sophisticated concepts, then mobilize and align colleagues to deliver
• Excellent change management and problem-solving skills
• Outstanding communication skills to engage all levels of stakeholder from leadership to entry-level
• Strong leadership skills with experience of operating at leadership team level
• Previous direct people management experience

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Experience operating in an IT environment and in a pharmaceutical or biotech environment
• Six Sigma or Project Management certification
• Knowledge of industry qualifications and standards
• Performance management approaches and application
• Able to communicate the potential impact of developments in the IT marketplace on organizations and individuals internal and external to IT

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.

Ready to make an impact? Apply now!

Closing Date for Applications: 25 April 2025

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.