Risk Assessment Lead

Role Purpose

The Risk Assessment Lead is accountable for overseeing enterprise risk management for AZPIL, ensuring effective controls, policies, and monitoring mechanisms are in place to protect the organisation from internal and external risk exposure.

The role has end-to-end responsibility for:

• Internal audit leadership and execution
• Enterprise risk assessment and maintenance of the risk register
• Financial controls framework oversight
• Internal monitoring of high-risk business areas
• Forensic risk and whistleblowing review support
• Process excellence, simplification, and automation initiatives

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the enterprise risk agenda by proactively identifying key risks and ensuring appropriate mitigating controls, processes, and governance mechanisms are established.
• Develop and manage the annual internal audit plan based on risk assessment and periodic refresh of the audit universe.
• Oversee quarterly internal audits, partnering with external consultants and internal stakeholders to ensure timely completion, robust reporting, and effective presentation of findings to Board committees.
• Track and follow up on remediation actions arising from internal audit reports to ensure timely and sustainable closure.
• Oversee Business Responsibility & sustainability report (BRSR), partnering with auditors and internal stakeholders to ensure timely completion, robust reporting.
• Own and maintain the Risk Register in collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders, capturing active, emerging, and enduring risks, along with mitigation plans for presentation to governance committees.
• Own the Financial Controls Framework (FCF) for the India Marketing Company, ensuring alignment with global standards while incorporating additional local controls where required.
• Independently monitor high-risk areas such as Patient Assistance Programs, diagnostics, and government business supply, ensuring processes are compliant with AstraZeneca standards and control expectations.
• Partner with Compliance and external advisors on whistleblowing case reviews and forensic risk assessments, ensuring appropriate governance and follow-through.
• Review new business initiatives at the ideation stage as part of cross-functional teams, identifying risks and recommending mitigation strategies across contracts, SOPs, and business cases.
• Conduct annual distributor risk assessments for institutional distributors and other high-risk third parties, escalating concerns and recommending corrective actions where needed.
• Mentor the Process Excellence Lead in developing and executing the annual process audit plan, reviewing audit outcomes, and supporting implementation of action plans.
• Perform periodic self-reviews of key business processes, including travel bookings, procurement, sponsorships, and meetings, to identify trends, control gaps, and improvement opportunities.
• Maintain regular engagement with Distribution, Government Business, and Compliance teams to strengthen controls, processes, and policy effectiveness.
• Drive process simplification and automation initiatives, including the use of AI-enabled tools for exception monitoring, iRisk, and SOP centralisation through Master SOP.
• Monitor usage and reporting of compliance tools related to statutory compliance obligations.
• Collaborate with business teams on automation projects, such as NRV tool automation, SAP integrations, and other process improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency and control.

Essential Requirements

• Qualified Chartered Accountant (CA) with 10+ years of post-qualification experience
• Strong experience in internal audit, ideally within a regulated industry; pharmaceutical industry experience is preferred but not essential
• Deep knowledge of financial accounting, internal controls, audit, business processes, and taxation
• Proven experience in developing financial reports, controls, and performance metrics
• Strong stakeholder management, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence senior leadership
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a complex, cross-functional environment
• Consistent demonstration of AstraZeneca Values

Preferred Leadership Profile

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of risk leadership, business partnering, governance strength, and transformation mindset. They should be comfortable working at both strategic and operational levels, with the credibility to challenge constructively, influence senior stakeholders, and drive meaningful improvements in risk and control effectiveness.

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.

So, what’s next?

• Are you already imagining 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 we hope it’s yours.

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
• If you have site, country or departmental social media then feel free to switch any of the above links.

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.