Director Data Ops & Data Foundation for Global Operations

Job title: Director Data Ops & Data Foundations Global Operations

GCL: F

Are you ready to design an AI-ready data ecosystem at enterprise scale and turn operational data into a strategic edge This role places you at the center of the methods we use to develop and deliver medicines. You build the data foundations that power manufacturing supply chain procurement quality and cell therapy operations.

You will lead the strategy governance engineering and operational completion that enable 160 data products to deliver trusted insights and autonomous decision-making. How will you build for scale integrity and cost efficiency while accelerating AI adoption and advancing our Ops2030 vision

• Define and complete the Global Operations Data Foundations strategy in line with Ops2030 and digital and data priorities. Develop AI-ready architecture data mesh principles and enterprise data standards. Establish the long-term roadmap enabling advanced analytics GenAI digital twins and self-governing systems..
• Data Products and DataOps: Lead the operational framework supporting 160 enterprise data products across multiple operational domains; establish DataOps practices automation observability reliability and lifecycle management; raise data quality availability discoverability and reuse; implement consistent engineering standards across the ecosystem.
• Platform Leadership: Lead strategic platforms including Snowflake Cognate data catalog data governance and data quality technologies; drive platform modernization cloud optimization and integration strategies; keep platforms scalable secure compliant and efficient; expand automation and self-service at scale.
• AI and Digital Transformation Enablement: Build the foundational capabilities for AI at scale; enable trusted data access for GenAI machine learning sophisticated analytics and autonomous manufacturing initiatives; champion innovation in data engineering data products and intelligent automation.
• Governance and Compliance: Establish enterprise-wide governance frameworks policies and controls; ensure data integrity security privacy and regulatory compliance; advance master data metadata cataloging lineage and stewardship; serve as the senior issue point for critical data risks and operational issues.
• Delivery and Value Realisation: Lead a distributed team spanning data platform engineering DataOps governance and product enablement; deliver strategic programs and transformation initiatives to plan and budget; drive measurable outcomes through cost optimization productivity gains and improved decision quality; define monitor and report targets for platform performance data quality adoption and value realization.
• Collaborator Leadership: Act as the technology partner to leaders across Operations Analytics and Information Management Production Logistics Purchasing and Quality; build positive relationships with external vendors strategic partners and platform providers; lead executive communications on data strategy risk and investment priorities.
• Leadership and Culture: Act as custodian of the AI-ready data foundation; encourage high-performing global teams; develop a culture of innovation automation ownership and continuous improvement; balance strategic vision with operational completion; translate technology investments into business value.

• 15 years of experience in Data & Analytics building data infrastructure data platforms or Digital Transformation.
• Proven experience leading enterprise-scale data organizations and global teams.
• Strong expertise in DataOps Data Governance Data Architecture Cloud Data Platforms and Data Product Management.
• Experience delivering large-scale data transformation programs within sophisticated global organizations.
• Proven success in enabling AI sophisticated data analysis and initiatives advancing technological modernization.
• Strong financial and vendor management experience.
• Exceptional collaborator management and executive influencing skills.

• Experience within Life Sciences Pharmaceuticals production logistics or regulated industries.
• Knowledge of Snowflake Databricks Cognate Collibra Azure Data Services and modern data architectures.
• Experience implementing Data Mesh and Product-Centric Data Operating Models.
• Understanding of Industry 4.0 Digital Manufacturing and Autonomous Operations.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room we fuel bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing -person working gives us the platform we need to connect work at pace and challenge perceptions. Thats why we work on average a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesnt mean were not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and bold world.

Here the data infrastructure you build directly influences how life-changing medicines reach patients. You will work with brand-new platforms and bold problem solvers bringing engineers data scientists and operations leaders together to tackle problems few have tackled before. Backed by meaningful investment and a clear vision to be driven by technology and information you will build enterprise-scale capabilities that drive speed quality and impact. We value courtesy alongside ambition and we create space for experimentation learning and shared ownershipso your ideas can move from whiteboard to factory floor and make a difference the world can see.

Lead the data foundation that powers autonomous operations and better patient outcomesstep forward to build the future of how we develop and distribute medicines.

Date Posted

Closing Date

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.