Associate Director Operations - GFS Americas

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world's most serious diseases. But we're more than one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we're proud to have a unique workplace culture that inspires innovation and collaboration. Here, employees are empowered to express diverse perspectives - and are made to feel valued, energized and rewarded for their ideas and creativity.

Global Financial Services (GFS) was formed in Q3 2018 through the merger of Global Finance Operations, Integrated Finance Solutions and Cash Generation.  GFS is at the heart of the Finance function - accountable to the AstraZeneca (AZ) Group for the design and delivery of high quality, simple to operate transactional finance processes that enable our customers to focus on AZ’s strategic priorities.  

The creation of the Global Financial Services (GFS) centers in Warsaw (Poland), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and San José (Costa Rica) has transformed the AZ Middle Office to a central function, supporting the business regions through simplification, standardization and digitalization across the globe, and a structure that is scalable to support the bold ambition of becoming a $80bn company by 2030. 

We have exciting opportunities to join our GFS Center in San José, which will establish best practices and be responsible for providing support to Embedded Finance (CFOs and Country Business Partners as well as Finance Business Partners in Operations and other functions).

Role Profile

This role is responsible for leading and managing an Operations team, comprising approximately 25+ business analysts/senior analysts and managers, that will provide reporting and analysis to AZ Senior Management for Operations (currently covering manufacturing sites in North and Latin America, and with $50bn of planned investments in the region by 2030) and Record to Report to a specified business function.

The primary focus will be on serving the Business and Finance Business Partners, as well as working collaboratively with other GFS colleagues locally and globally in establishing best practices and sharing knowledge.

Global Financial Services (GFS) middle office operates with centers in Warsaw (Poland), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and San Jose (Costa Rica) supporting the business regions through simplification, standardization and digitalization across the globe, and a structure that is scalable to support the company’s Bold Ambition.

The Associate Director Operations will:

• Be responsible for management of a team of Operations analysts and responsible for the service delivery to the business.
• Be part of the GFS Americas management team, responsible for implementing policy and collaborating closely with other Associate Directors and other management team colleagues.
• Be part of the GFS Operations LT and collaborate closely with GFS Operations Director and counterparts in other GFS Sites
• Driving the vision for the GFS Americas region ensuring it is clearly communicated to the team and its key business customers.
• Lead / Be an active member of GFS global and local projects as well as Embedded Finance projects
• Define annual performance objectives for the team, in agreement with senior finance leadership.
• Agree performance targets with customers and transparently measure progress against them.
• Be ultimately responsible for customer relationship management and the service management framework and ensure business customers are being met regularly, receive relevant data on the service and have avenues to raise concerns and issues.
• Act as an escalation point for service delivery issues. 
• Work with the wider AZ business to ensure compliance to the agreed finance processes and standard model for GFS delivery.
• Drive for standardization of global processes in collaboration with global counterparts.
• Incorporate and promote process improvements.
• Ensure transitions of activities both into and out of the team are prepared well and managed effectively.
• Establish a cultural environment which promotes transparency and empowerment instilling a strong customer service and high-performance culture.
• Own the selection, recruitment, and retention of staff for the team.
• Actively promote and support the personal development of team members.
• Establish and embed the AZ Finance culture and create an environment where collaboration, continuous improvement & service excellence is a way of life and in alignment with AstraZeneca values.
• Oversee the financial costs for the team and deliver services within agreed budget.

Role Responsibilities

GFS global services leadership

• Ensure alignment of strategy with the business / finance needs of the key customers.
• Define annual performance objectives for the team in agreement with senior finance leadership.
• Ensure adherence to the effective business planning and month-end close processes, and where necessary enhance ensuring alignment with global standards.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of overall finance strategy.

Service Delivery

• Ensure process designs are standardized and consistent with best practice, instigating process improvement initiatives where appropriate.
• Ensure policies, processes and operating procedures are clearly defined, up-to-date and documented.

Performance Management

Performance of Services

• Agree service level agreements, covering all core finance processes performed by the team, with all key customers.
• Ensure Key Performance Indicators are clearly defined for each process performed.
• Ensure service delivery meets performance/quality standards defined in service level agreements.
• Report on performance against performance/quality standards defined in service level agreements, and KPIs, to Group Finance and key customers.
• Pro-actively advise the Head of GFS Americas region & GFS Operations Director on any issues which might affect performance.

People Performance - Supported by the HR business partners the Associate Director Operations will:

• Be responsible for creating and motivating collaborative teams that are firmly focused on results, process & continuous improvement.
• Support the GFS Americas Management Team in the resolution of significant performance capability and/or development needs that may arise.
• Be responsible for the day-to-day performance management of the team.
• Be a role-model in terms of AstraZeneca values and Leadership skills

Resourcing

• Ensuring the team is staffed with the appropriate skills and levels of staff to meet the demands of the business and volumes of transactions.
• Accountable for the development and delivery of the future resource requirements

Organizational effectiveness

• Accountable/Responsible for managing future Organizational changes within the team.
• Develop career path and opportunities for key talent.
• Accountable for contributing to activities to improve AZ’s EVP, employee experience and employee engagement within the team.

Capability development

• Responsible for supporting the global counterparts in the identification, development, and delivery of the required Finance / technical capability.
• Work with the team to improve employee engagement and ensure people management skills are developed and maintained.

Talent Management

• Responsible for succession planning and driving the subsequent development actions for staff to ensure sufficient talent is available to meet future business needs.

Acquisitions

• Support integration activities on Acquisitions projects as required and participate in the planning & implementation of post-acquisition integration projects.

Essential

• Recognized Financial Qualification.
• At least 5 years leadership experience working in a similar shared services and/or business environment.
• Significant relevant business and finance center experience, notably in Operations.
• Management of a sizeable team.
• Strong commercial and business focus in a multinational organization.
• Track record of managing complex business relationships in a matrix organization.
• Ability to drive and manage change.
• Ability to think strategically both with global and local mindset
• Work with peers to create global and standardized solutions for the Enterprise.
• A strong leader with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Championed and lead continuous improvement initiatives in Finance.
• Fluency in English.

Desirable

• Delivering and managing a Service Management Framework, creating a robust service-oriented culture
• Leading and managing the transition of countries into a Shared Services Operation and the integration of acquisitions
• Good knowledge of finance transactional processes.
• Ability to speak more than one language.
• Living and working experience in different cultures.

Other Role Requirements

• Schedule flexibility to work on holidays when necessary.
• Flexibility and ability to travel and work in another AZ facilities outside the country when necessary.
• Schedule flexibility to work on the days off given by the wellness policy when necessary (Política de Bienestar).

According to the company policies, the candidate must prove that there are no undeclared situations that generate a conflict of interest (COI) for the company. In case of any COI, it will be analyzed by the Legal team/advisors to determine it is not a stopper for the candidate to participate and/or take the position. To know beforehand the weightings of COI contained in the policies of the company, consult the Human Resources Department.

The GFS function will interface with the Back Office Shared Services function, Business CFOs/Finance Business Partners and 3rd party specialist functions.

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer. AstraZeneca will consider all qualified applicants for employment without discrimination on grounds of disability, sex or sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity leave status, race or national or ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, gender identity or re-assignment, marital or civil partnership status, protected veteran status (if applicable) or any other characteristic protected by law. AstraZeneca only employs individuals with the right to work in the country/ies where the role is advertised.

Date Posted

17-nov-2025

Closing Date

01-dic-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.

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 authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.