Associate Director, Axial Tax Design & Deployment

The Axial Programme (Global S/4HANA implementation)

We are one purpose-led global organisation. The enablers and innovators, ensuring that we can fulfil our mission to push the boundaries of science and discover and develop life-changing medicines. We take pride in working close to the cause, opening the locks to save lives, ultimately making a massive difference to the outside world.

AstraZeneca (AZ) is in a period of strong growth and our employees have a united purpose to make a difference to patients around the world who need both our medicines and the ongoing developments from our science.   In this journey AZ must continue to work across borders and with partners and new colleagues in a fast and seamless way.  The ambition, size and complexity of the organisation, coupled with the opportunities afforded by new technology, has led the Board to approve a large-scale transformation programme – Axial.

The Axial Programme will be powered by S/4HANA a new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system which will be implemented right across the organisation and will provide our business with standardised processes, enhanced financial management, common data and real time reporting, transforming the way we work through our entire supply chain - from bench to patient.

The new system will be used by more than 20,000 employees daily, is foundational to all AZ entities and is central to most core business processes.  This is a once in a generation programme for AstraZeneca and will shape our ways of working globally for many years to come.The Axial programme needs the best talent to work in it.  Whether it’s the technical skills, business understanding or change leadership, we want to ensure we have the strongest team deployed throughout.  We are aiming to deliver a world class change programme that leaves all employees with a fuller understanding of their role in the end-to-end nature of our global company.  This programme will provide AZ with a competitive edge, to the benefit of our employees, customers and patients.

Role Introduction

You’ll work at the intersection of tax and technology on one of the largest tax transformation  programmes going.  The role will leadthe detailed design and deployment of the Axial Tax solution(s) across AZ’s global tax and support functions.   As the detailed design and deployment planning gathers pace in 2025 and beyond, we require a senior individual to drive forward large-scale tax transformation projects, ensuring the successful design &deployment of Axial tax solutions to plan and budget.  

What you’ll do

You’llbe a key member of the team, leading the detailed design and deployment of S/4 HANA based solutions for tax for our global tax and middle-office functions.  This will involve workingcross functionally with IT teams, process owners, global tax and finance leaders.  

In doing so you will lead on scope management, resourcing needs, design, dependencies, risk, parallel initiatives and change impacts to deliver the Axial Tax Solutions.  This will include being responsible for the deployment of either (i) a portfolio or (ii) significant large project within the workstream.  This covers all areas of tax such as indirect tax, direct tax, transfer pricing and environmental taxes.

This will include defining further detailed design as appropriate and maintaining the resource/skill profile within the Axial programme (change, technology, data, tax design) and business as usual resources.  

You will also partner with local legal entity deployment leads and interim state leads, agreeing the pathway and ensuring a smooth deployment.  

Throughout the deployment journey, you’ll communicate effectively with senior stakeholders (both within the Axial programme and outside of it). 

As deployment for a particular solution(s) nears in line with the plan, you’lllead the definition of cutover activities and steps to drive a smooth cutover and adoption of the solution(s).  In addition, you'll own hypercare for the global function, defining it and what a successful exit from hypercare is.   

Essential Skills & Experience

• You’ll have a track record of delivery of large tax transformation projects in a large corporate environment, either gained in house on in practice (or a combination).

• You’lllikely have a tax background and consider yourself a specialist in one or more tax types.

• You’ll be able to manage complex/multiple dependencies and large areas of uncertainty yet still make meaningful strides forward or make appropriate assumptions.

• You’ll be able to assess change impacts on a global function across technology, process and data and address them across complex processes and current ways of working.

• You’ll be able to manage and work with external partners such as system integrators to define scope and needs in-line with the design and deployment approach.  

• You’ll be able to engage with senior stakeholders both within the Axial programme and outside of it within the wider AZ community. 

• You’ll be able to manage the scope of multiple third parties. 

Desirable Skills & Experience

• S/4 HANA experience is a bonus, but not essential.

• CTA/ACA or equivalent qualification.

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.

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.

Apply Today!