Manager, R&D Finance FP&A

Role Purpose

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. But we're more than one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, 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.

Global Financial Services (GFS) was formed in Q3 2018 through the merger of Global Finance Operations, Integrated Finance Solutions and Cash Generation.  GFS is at the heart of the Finance function - accountable to the AstraZeneca (AZ) Group for the design and delivery of high quality, simple to operate transactional finance processes that enable our customers to focus on AZ’s strategic priorities.  

The creation of the Global Financial Services (GFS) centers in Warsaw (Poland), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and San José (Costa Rica) will transform the AZ Middle Office and Back Office to a central function, supporting the business regions through simplification, standardization across the globe, and a structure that is scalable to support the bold ambition of becoming a $50bn company by 2025. 

We have exciting opportunities to join our GFS Center in San José, which will establish best practices and be responsible for providing support to embedded finance (CFOs and country business partners and or BPs in Manufacturing).

Role Profile

This role will provide Finance Planning and Analysis Support for Alexion Global R&D and Medical Affairs. Will work directly with key business partners to drive global deliverables in reporting, planning and ad-hoc projects across the R&D and Medical Affairs and the R&D portfolio. This role will require interactions and collaboration throughout the Alexion and AstraZeneca organization including Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A), Global Financial Services (GFS), and Senior Business Leadership. The role will require a high level of learning agility and the ability to work across diverse business areas and a geographically dispersed organization. It will require the ability to navigate in a complex matrixed business model and to communicate effectively across the Finance R&D Team and business leaders.

Responsibilities will include:

• Deliver solid financial controlling support.
• Deliver financial analysis, insights generation, trade off recommendations and resource allocation decision support.
• Generate financial consolidations, management reporting, and forecasting and planning processes.
• Deliver monthly R&D reporting and analysis including Senior Management reports and functional financial summaries.
• Leverage complex financial and business information to bring insight to business leaders, and influence business decision making.
• Support the Sr. Dir. R&D Finance FP&A on all aspects of forecasting and budget planning for the R&D and Medical Affairs Organizations.
• Work closely with cross functional teams business leaders to identify and implement opportunities for efficiencies.
• Prepare ad hoc reporting and analyses for key metrics and special projects.
• Facilitate monthly headcount and manpower tracking in support of financial forecasting.
• Manage and deliver clear view of business/financial Risk and Opportunities.

Essential Criteria

• 7+ years of experience in Finance/Controlling position.
• Experience in Pharmaceutical/Biotechnology industry.
• Interpersonal skills with ability to work with others as well as independently.
• Strong competences in accounting.
• Solid Computer skill and knowledge (MS Excel, Power Point, SAP).
• Knowledge of consolidation and financial planning systems (BPC, Hyperion, COGNOS, Anaplan).
• Fluency in English both written and oral mandatory.
• The duties of this role are generally conducted in an office environment. As is typical of an office-based role, employees must be able, with or without an accommodation to use a computer; engage in communications via phone, video, and electronic messaging; engage in problem solving and non-linear thought, analysis, and dialogue; collaborate with others; maintain general availability during standard business hours.

Desirable criteria

• Strong communication skills with the ability to work with cross-functional management.
• High sense of urgency and ability to identify creative solutions to advanced, time sensitive problems by balancing achievement of process objectives with practical considerations.
• Strong customer service focus, with a drive to ensure that we exceed the expectations of our customers.
• Strong ability to implement best practices in back-office operations; commitment to driving competitive advantage while managing costs, improving quality, and managing risks.
• Commitment to delivering quality results and overcoming obstacles and challenges in a time-sensitive environment.
• Ability to juggle and prioritize multiple work streams while remaining calm and effective under pressure.

Other Role Requirements

• Schedule flexibility to work on holidays when necessary.
• Flexibility and Ability to travel and work in another AZ facilities outside the country when necessary.
• Schedule flexibility to work on the days off given by the wellness Policy when necessary (Política de Bienestar).

Internal and External Contacts/Customers

Will interface with other Shared Services functions, Business CFOs/Finance Business Partners and 3rd party service providers.

According to the company policies, the candidate must prove that there are no situations that generate a conflict of interest (COI) for the company. The non-existence of COI is considered as an objective requirement of the position. To know beforehand the weightings of COI contained in the policies of the company, consult the Human Resources Department.

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer. AstraZeneca will consider all qualified applicants for employment without discrimination on grounds of disability, sex or sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity leave status, race or national or ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, gender identity or re-assignment, marital or civil partnership status, protected veteran status (if applicable) or any other characteristic protected by law. AstraZeneca only employs individuals with the right to work in the country/ies where the role is advertised.

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.