Axial Data Lead – Record-to-Report

At AstraZeneca, we pride ourselves on crafting a collaborative culture that champions knowledge-sharing, ambitious thinking and innovation – ultimately providing employees with the opportunity to work across teams, functions and even the globe. 

Recognizing the importance of individualized flexibility, our ways of working allow employees to balance personal and work commitments while ensuring we continue to create a strong culture of collaboration and teamwork by engaging face-to-face in our offices 3 days a week. Our head office and BlueSky Hub in downtown Toronto are purposely designed with collaboration in mind, providing space where teams can come together to strategize, brainstorm and connect on key projects. 

Our dedication to sustainability is also central to our culture and part of what makes AstraZeneca a great place to work. We know the health of people, the planet and our business are interconnected which is why we’re taking ambitious action to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time, from climate change to access to healthcare and disease prevention.

Introduction to role

The Axial Data Lead – Record-to-Report is responsible for coordinating all business data requirements within the S/4 HANA design and deployment process. This includes defining and documenting the S/4 Enterprise Data Standards and ensuring that existing SAP ECC data is fit for purpose at the point of migration to S/4 HANA. The role is aligned with the Enterprise Process Owner (EPO) Record-to-Report (R2R) and involves owning the relationship between the Axial Data and Analytics organisation and the EPO team. You will proactively engage with the wider business, including Global Finance Services, Data Offices, Governance Forums, and local Sites, to ensure that the S/4 data design meets business requirements, aligns with SAP standards where possible, and that S/4 data can be used with confidence, achieving a Quality Core at go-live.

Accountabilities

• Land S/4HANA target state business data standards by providing data leadership, stewardship, and data subject matter expertise into the global process design cycles, ensuring process designs align with S/4HANA data best practice concepts, process data requirements are collected and consolidated into robust data documentations and are appropriately managed during interim state.

• Lead the definition, documentation, and implementation of S/4 Enterprise Data standards related to Record-to-Report (R2R), including master data, reference data, and metadata – confirming the business context and ensuring approval in accordance with defined data governance. This includes developing conceptual models, business glossary, and ontologies.

• Apply data, process, and object expertise to support the S/4 process design, acting as an integral part of the R2R EPO process team, considering both business process and analytics requirements.

• Collect and share relevant as-is data structures and harmonisation assessments alongside best practice to-be Data Design proposals and feed into the Global Design process where useful.

• Support the change journey definition from current to future state data design including completion of change impact assessments and outline of critical use case examples.

• Create effective global data governance procedures to ensure that each data asset in the R2R context is appropriately governed throughout its lifecycle assuring ongoing data quality.

• Provide day-to-day team management to a set of assigned data design experts.

• Ensure data readiness at Axial go-live through leading the data localisation within the R2R domain enabling migration and steering the data quality approach, interim state, and the ongoing management of data to ensure that it remains fit for purpose post-deployment.

• Lead R2R related data localisation and transformation activities by integrating closely with the local site and GFS teams educating on new Axial data standards and driving out relevant data collections and definition.

• Act as the gatekeeper for overarching R2R data policies during Axial deployments ensuring all data within R2R data domain complies with the Axial Data Governance Framework, AZ Global Data Standards, and overarching R2R EPO process standards.

• Support relationship with current business data capability to ensure that S/4 design and the wider enterprise data design remain aligned (to include support of interim state).

• Support the design of the future state Data Competency Centre capability and its operating model.

• Steer the S/4 Data Cleanse and Migrate strategy and execution approaches and plans while providing support to the data migration processes through necessary business inputs.

Essential Skills/Experience

• Qualified Accountant with significant experience and subject matter expertise in Record-to-Report (R2R) processes including but not limited to External & Management Reporting, Ledger, Project & Asset accounting, Product Costing, Tax, Cash and Banking.

• Demonstrable knowledge of how business data requirements support process execution and analytics, with the ability to explain complex data concepts to business users.

• Experience of designing and implementing Data Definitions & Data Standards for a global enterprise with significant geographical and functional footprint.

• SAP working knowledge across transactions and reporting in an S/4HANA environment, including an understanding of how data integrates within the SAP architecture.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence in a diverse, global team, within and across functions. Experience with global working and across cultures.

• Proven track record of delivery and ability to effectively prioritize to ensure goals and outcomes are achieved.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• S/4 HANA implementation programme experience.

• In-depth knowledge of relevant key R2R business processes.

• Data Mapping and Collection process execution.

• Experience in designing a Data Governance capability.

• Experience in measuring, managing, and improving Data Quality.

• Experience in life sciences and 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.

AstraZeneca offers opportunities for lifelong learning in an energising environment. We promote learning agility and provide development opportunities. Embrace upskilling or reskilling in our high-performing learning organisation. We deliver innovative development experiences that sustain future leaders because we want all our people to embrace challenges ahead. This is where you can build a fulfilling career.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now!

Great People want to Work with us! Find out why: 

• GTAA Top Employer Award for 11 years 

• Top 100 Employers Award 

• Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture 

• Learn more about working with us in Canada 

• View our YouTube channel 

Are you interested in working at AZ, apply today! 

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination. AstraZeneca is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Such accommodation is available on request in respect of all aspects of the recruitment, assessment and selection process and may be requested by  emailing AZCHumanResources@astrazeneca.com. 

#LI-Hybrid 

Date Posted

20-Feb-2025

Closing Date

05-Mar-2025

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.