GBS Director, Process Excellence

Job Title: GBS Director, Process Excellence

Introduction To Role

The GBS Director, Process Excellence is reporting to the Senior Director, GBS Performance. The role is accountable for managing, controlling and reporting on Process excellence, across our global operations, ensuring we deliver exceptional services to AstraZeneca.

This is a critical role in the delivery of GBS services across AstraZeneca and requires an individual who understands GBS excellence with a proven track record of on the ground delivery across a wide range of services, from transactional to consulting.

Process Excellence in AstraZeneca GBS includes:

• Process Optimisation: eliminating process waste through adopting methodologies like lean and Six Sigma

• Technology Integration: Utilising digital tools and technologies to improve process performance including in platform tools, RPA, process mining and AI.

• Cost efficiency: identifying areas where cost can be reduced without compromising delivery, including leveraging economies of scale and strategic vendor management

• Culture of continuous improvement: fostering an environment where employees are empowered and encouraged to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement

• Talent and Development: Training and development to upskill employees

What you will do:

Shape the process excellence strategy:

• Using the GBS Process excellence framework, develop and implement the strategic plan for GBS process excellence, built together with the GBS leadership teams, aligned to the GBS and AstraZeneca strategy.   Plans will evolve with the ongoing growth and transformation of GBS.  Bring external and internal thought leadership to the solutions.

• Understand the different types of services, different GBS customers, and demands on GBS to input into the process excellence strategy as GBS evolves.

Deliver Process excellence:

• Leadership:

  • Build and support service line level process improvement plans that deliver in line with the GBS scorecard target of delivering year on year 9% productivity across the portfolio of services. 

  • Be, and be seen to be, the leader of Process excellence across GBS.  Bring external insight and share internal best practice focused on AI and best practice tools

  • Lead, through influence, initiatives to empower employees across GBS and build a culture and environment of performance excellence.

• Delivery

  • Identify, lead (where appropriate) and manage initiatives to enhance process efficiencies, reduce costs and improve service delivery across all GBS functions

  • Own and manage the workplan to deliver year on year productivity targets.  Work in collaboration with service line leads to agree and monitor plans.

• Setting the standards:

  • Develop and implement clear policies, frameworks and guidelines for process excellence.

  • Monitor performance of process excellence initiatives and efficiency gains, capture and share best practices.

• Visible Performance Management

  • Deliver clear, regular, visible performance management of process excellence.

• Training and Coaching:

  • Own and improve training and coaching on process excellence across the organisation

• People Leadership:

  • Through a dotted-line reporting line, build a network of GBS continuous improvement experts to ensure strong alignment and delivery of process excellence. 

Essentials:

You have a background in GBS process excellence and are passionate about leading and creating an environment of excellence in delivery. You are results-orientated and have experience of delivering across matrix design organisations, influencing across broad groups of stakeholders.  You can drive decision making and are willing to take smart risks by thoughtfully challenging the status quo. You are motivated by a fast-paced and dynamic business environment, lead through ambiguity positively and get results by influencing.

• Significant experience (10 years plus) working in a Global Business Services operations across multiple functions leading process excellence and change implementation initiatives.

• Highly developed organizational, planning, management skills and communication skills

• Experience of leading and implementing global process improvement programmes using methodologies such as lean/Six Sigma, delivering on time and within budget.

• Track record of implementing AI and best practice tools to drive productivity and efficiency

• Strong leadership and team management skills with ability to clearly communicate/ influence employees through change.

• Excellent communication, presentation and influencing skills to engage, influence and build a consensus with senior stakeholders, including the GBS Leadership team.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify areas for improvement and develop effective solutions, using actionable data backed insights

• Experience in leading organisational change, fostering a culture of Continuous improvement and influencing stakeholders at all levels.

• Process Excellence qualifications such as Six Sigma, Lean

• Experience of working with Process Mining tools such as Celonis, to drive process optimisation at a reduced cost.

Preferred:

• Significant global experience & broad perspective of Pharmaceuticals organisation

• Experience with Service Now performance management

• Experience with delivering reporting solutions

• Financial acumen – of budget setting, cost management and performance management.

• Experience of working with Process Document application, BIC

At AstraZeneca, we believe that bringing together people from varied backgrounds fuels innovative thinking and drives breakthroughs in healthcare. Our collaborative work environment encourages open exchange of ideas, with in-person interaction on average three days per week to fuel creativity, build relationships, and accelerate progress. At the same time, we understand that flexibility matters, and we support individuals in balancing their personal and professional needs.

We’re proud to be a company where purpose guides our innovation. Our culture celebrates diverse perspectives, empowering every team member to contribute and grow. With a focus on learning, development and shared ambition, our teams work together to reimagine the possibilities of science and make a genuine difference in patients’ lives.

Are you ready to be part of a community that values your unique contributions and helps shape the future of global business services?Join us at AstraZeneca and help pioneer the next wave of life-changing healthcare solutions!

Date Posted

05-nov.-2025

Closing Date

13-nov.-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 authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

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.