Associate Director, R&D IT - Portfolio Management - Data Analysis

The Portfolio / Project Analyst will be an integral part of the development and management of a “Best in Class” Portfolio Governance and Program Management process. To do this you will be accountable for the following:
• Assess and recommend improvements to current processes and documentation for financial 
management. To include Communication & Roll out –multi-pronged approach for training/refreshers, 
incorporating classroom, videos, clinics and Quick Reference Guides 
• Forecasting and estimating including monitoring and reducing unplanned/unmapped costs
• identify issues with incorrect coding, missed accruals, POs that should be closed, 
incorrect charges to closed projects
• Investigate options for forecasting models that can be leveraged by Business Partners in 
the early stages of demand creation 
• Document process to include improvements such as peer review of forecasts, leveraging 
knowledge base of past project actuals etc.
• Develop approach for risk-based contingency management – how to ensure contingency 
is visible and is risk-based, and the contingency is released if the risk does not come to 
fruition 
• Changes to accruals process to implement Coupa accruals and eliminate manual accruals
• Develop Cloud budget ways of working to address the AWS budget to be managed centrally in 
R&DIT
• Boundary Transfers process improvements to address headcount and linkage to Application 
Maintenance/Software License (AMSL)
• AMSL – work with the service team to document the process for AMSL – who to engage when a 
new capability is being rolled out, how to address growth in number of users
• Platform financials – document as-is and to be processes with approaches to address capturing 
costs for resources (not using manpower recharge) as well as way forward for external spend and 
accruals. Develop approach in collaboration with finance business partner to improve the 
platform packs.
• Assess and recommend dashboarding improvements to identify trends (Use Case for use of 
Generative AI)
• Projects that continue to shift forecast forward 
• Identify projects that may have issues regarding spend (e.g. PO created January, still no 
actuals) 
• Identify projects that end the year with significant variance to original approved budget 
• Trends in change requests 

Mandatory Requirements:

• Project Management
• Experience managing budgets and forecasts
• Experience is use of tools for analysis including Excel with pivot tables and macros
• Experience using Power BI for analysis
• Ability to take initiative/navigate in a matrix environment globally
• Strong analytical, communication and stakeholder management skills
• Familiarity with Coupa and ServiceNow SPM
• Experience delivering process improvement initiatives 
• Demonstrated skills interacting with Senior Leaders 
• An entrepreneurial mindset and the proven ability to shape innovative solutions

Desirable Requirements:

• Desire to learn how to apply AI for automated analyses
• Experience of working in a global organization with complex/geographical context
• Experience with data management tools and techniques such as ETL and data virtualization. 
• Experience of working with and managing third party suppliers/vendors

📌Strong English communication skills required.

📌 Positions are open to Mexican Citizens and official residents of Mexico.

📍 Location: Guadalajara (hybrid - Expectation of working in the office 3 days a week)
When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working give 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.

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.