Senior Project Manager - Technology

Role: Senior Project Manager - Technology

Location: Chennai

Band - E

Do you have expertise in, and passion for, information technology? Would you like to apply your expertise to impact the IT strategy in a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life changing medicines? If so, AstraZeneca might be the one for you!

ABOUT ASTRAZENECA

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious disease. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work.

ABOUT OUR TECHNOLOGY TEAM

It’s a dynamic and results-oriented environment to work in – but that’s why we like it. There are countless opportunities to learn and grow, whether that’s exploring new technologies in hackathons, or redefining the roles and work of colleagues, forever. Shape your own path, with support all the way. Diverse minds that work cross- functionally and broadly together.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Axial is a strategic multi-year business transformation program helping AstraZeneca achieve its 2030 Bold Ambition. Axial will deliver the new backbone for our innovation, growth, and performance, and the technology driving Axial is SAP S/4HANA and its Business Technology Platform(s).

The Axial Technology team actively partners with our business colleagues to deliver cutting-edge technology capabilities to fulfil AstraZeneca’s bold ambition of delivering life changing medicines to patients. Our ambition is to provide best-in-class expertise and leadership in technological solutions and Information Delivery that empowers our colleagues in the field and accelerates and improves strategic decision-making for a diverse range of partners. The team engages with some of the most exciting business areas within AstraZeneca and is faced with solving for a variety of complex business and IT challenges.

We are seeking for highly skilled and experienced Project Manager to lead and manage projects with associated with a large business transformation program using SAP S/4 HANA.

The candidate will work closely with the overall deployment lead/specific functional or technical lead. The role is accountable for delivery of solutions that meet business needs to approved budget and schedule commitments whilst meeting required quality and compliance standards. Focus areas include risk and issue management; and managing expectations of a wide group of people ranging from Senior Leadership to members of support group of systems.

Introduction to Role:

• Responsible for managing end to end technology projects with varying degree of complexities.

• Ability to manage multiple projects in parallel. Collaborate with diverse teams across the globe within domains like Operation, Finance, R&D and Commercials.

• Manage, control and report project budgets.

• Keep timelines and budgets in check, even in the face of monumental change.

• Effective risks & issues management and reporting

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management with a focus on clear concise reporting to very senior stakeholder within Business and Technology  

• Possess a good understanding of integration methodologies and system interoperability to be able to work with the technology teams an manage projects effectively.

• Adherence to all the validation and compliance documentation and methodologies

• Comfortable in Agile and waterfall methodologies

Core accountabilities:

• Agree and deliver plans for projects / programmes (or contribution to a section of a larger project), including activities, resources, costs, roles, responsibilities, and quality as defined in the IT Project Management Methodology.

• Manage project / programme budgets, forecasts, tasks, schedules, risks, organizational change, and status to support effective decisions and project reporting to collaborators and review boards. Coordinate status and delivery of project workstreams. Identify / manage dependencies between projects (intra-program and across portfolio).

• Work closely with global cross-functional teams to understand project requirements, provide regular updates, and ensure seamless communication throughout the project lifecycle.

• Manage and mitigate project risks, proactively identifying & addressing potential challenges.

• Communicate project progress, updates, and risks to stakeholders, including executives and team members.

• Foster a collaborative and positive team environment, promoting effective teamwork and knowledge sharing.

• Collaborate with vendors and external partners to coordinate the integration of 3rd party applications with SAP S/4 HANA while ensuring adherence to AZ project delivery standards.

• Manage changes to project/programme scope, ensuring that all impacts and changes are approved and appropriately communicated to collaborators and review boards.

• Develop service transition plans including controlled hand-over into support and maintenance.

• Ensure the project team adheres to all standards including ADF, quality, and compliance, as well as processes, defined technical capabilities, and standard methodologies. Establish program governance and lead Decision Point reviews, member Steering Committee.

• Support continued development of a world-class centre of excellence for project management capabilities and ensure that standard methodology is adopted and reinforced.

Education, Qualifications and experience:

Essential

• Strong Project and Programme Management Skills. Proven experience (typically 8-10 years) as a PM across the whole project lifecycle

• Relevant Technical or Business Degree [B.E/B Tech./MBA]

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with global teams and external partners.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks and deadlines

• Knowledge of Financial Management within Projects and managing external suppliers

• Broad understanding of IT systems and technology implemented within a business context.

• Experience of working with modern IT tooling associated with large scale program delivery, for example JIRA and Automated Testing tools.

• Experience in a validated environment with operational awareness of GxP and SOX.

Desirable

• Experience working with the core business areas of Operations and Enabling Units (Finance, Compliance and Legal).

• Experience in handling technology portfolios across multiple functional areas.

• Experience working in the Biopharmaceutical/Life Sciences industry (not essential).

• Project / Programme Management certifications.

Skills and capabilities:

Essential

• Alignment with AZ Values and Behaviours

• Agile Enterprise mentality

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Self-starter who continuously develops new skills and proactively leads own career and development.

• Excellent influencing, networking, and collaborative working skills

• Able to lead difficult discussions, manage expectations and deliver solutions across complex partner groups.

• Ability to work well in and lead/collaborate across diverse matrixed global teams.

• Expertise in project delivery and change management and problem solving.

• Experienced sustainable relationship management skills with the ability to influence others to achieve objectives.

Desirable

• Experience working in different countries/cultures.

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.

So, what’s next?

• Are you already imaging yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you.

• Are you ready to bring new ideas and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant! We have one seat available and hope it’s yours

• If you’re curious to know more then we welcome your application, no later than

Where can I find out more?

Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/

Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/

Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/astrazeneca_careers/?hl=en

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.