Senior Director - IT Business Partner, HR

AstraZeneca · Cambridge

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We are seeking a senior, enterprise-level technology leader to partner with the Human Resources (HR) leadership team and lead AI and technology-driven transformation of how AstraZeneca attracts, develops, serves and empowers its people. 

This role sits at the intersection of people strategy, technology innovation and executive leadership. You will be a trusted advisor to the CHRO organisation and the Heads of the HR Centres of Excellence, shaping how AI, agents, data and modern platforms reimagine talent, learning, workforce planning, reward, HR service delivery and the employee experience. 

This is not a traditional IT delivery role. It is a business-embedded, outcome-led leadership position for someone who can influence at the top table, translate HR strategy into action, and scale AI and digital transformation with pace and discipline including building and leading a high-calibre, product-centric HR IT team that orchestrates a world-class partner ecosystem, and proving in partnership with HR how technology value is unlocked. 

Executive Partnership & Influence 

• Serve as the primary technology and transformation partner to the HR Leadership Team and Heads of COEs, aligned to the HR Digital Strategy. 

• Act as a credible thought partner at executive level, shaping priorities and influencing investment decisions. 

• Translate complex people and workforce challenges into clear, outcome-driven technology strategies and multi-year roadmaps. 

AI & Technology Transformation at Scale 

• Lead enterprise-grade AI and digital initiatives across HR from experimentation to sustained value, driving the shift from proof of concept to proof of value with measurable outcomes. 

• Identify and scale high-impact AI, agentic automation and analytics use cases across talent acquisition, learning, performance, people analytics and employee services. 

• Embed digital-first, AI-powered ways of working so that HR processes are redesigned around the employee, not simply automated. 

HR Platform & Experience Strategy 

• Set the strategy and evolution path for the HR platform estate including Workday, ServiceNow HRSD, Eightfold and the wider talent, learning and skills ecosystem; balancing innovation with simplification and value for money. 

• Scout, pilot and scale next-generation capabilities (e.g. AI-driven recruiting, skills-based talent models, conversational employee services, predictive people analytics). 

• Ensure a connected, data-driven employee experience across HR processes and platforms. 

Reshaping HR IT Talent & Product-Centric Operating Model 

• Reshape the HR IT workforce into a high-calibre, high-performing team: driven, strategic thinkers and recognised thought leaders who challenge the status quo and set the standard for business-embedded technology leadership. 

• Lead the move from project and run-based delivery to a product-centric operating model, with persistent, empowered product teams aligned to HR value streams (e.g. talent, learning and skills, workforce planning, employee services, people analytics) and accountable for outcomes, adoption and continuous improvement. 

• Define the skills, personas and career paths the future team needs- product ownership, AI and agent engineering, data and analytics, platform architecture, value management and partner orchestration and close gaps through targeted hiring, reskilling and succession planning. 

• Set a high-performance culture: clear outcome ownership, fast learning cycles, curiosity about emerging technology, and visible external presence through forums, communities and peer networks. 

• Orchestrate the in-house team and strategic partners as one integrated product organisation, with the in-house core focused on strategy, architecture, product leadership and value, and partners on scaled delivery and run. 

Demonstrating IT Value in Partnership with HR 

• Co-own with HR leadership a clear, shared view of how IT value is unlocked linking every investment and product to HR outcomes such as employee experience, time-to-hire, productivity, skills, cost to serve and data-driven decisions. 

• Establish transparent value measurement: baselines, outcome KPIs and benefits tracking agreed with HR and Finance, reported regularly and independently of delivery milestones. 

• Showcase value to the HR Leadership Team and wider enterprise through regular demonstrations, data-led storytelling and case studies that make the impact of AI and technology tangible and credible. 

• Hold joint accountability with HR for adoption, change and benefits realisation; retiring low-value spend and reinvesting in what demonstrably works. 

Investment, Portfolio & Value Management 

• Own and govern the HR technology investment portfolio, ensuring delivery of value, alignment to strategic objectives and optimal use of resources. 

• Build investment-grade business cases with clear outcomes and mobilise high-value investments. 

• Manage delivery through outcome-based metrics, tracking benefits realisation and adoption – not just milestones. 

Data, Responsible AI, Security & Compliance 

• Own the integrity, privacy and security of HR data within all digital and AI initiatives. 

• Ensure responsible, ethical and compliant use of AI in a sensitive, regulated people-data environment, including works-council and regional privacy requirements. 

Leadership & Ecosystem Management 

• Lead and develop a high-performing, business-embedded product-centric team, role-modelling the standard of leadership expected of the future EUIT. 

• Manage strategic partnerships with vendors, outsourcing and managed-service providers and system integrators, holding them accountable for outcomes, quality and innovation. 

• Champion change management and digital upskilling within HR and IT to maximise adoption and impact. 

• Cultivate a culture of innovation, operational excellence and continuous learning, bringing external market insight into the organisation. 

Experience 

• 15+ years of senior technology leadership in large, complex, global organisations. 

• Proven executive partnership with HR leadership (CHRO and Heads of COEs) delivering AI- and analytics-enabled solutions. 

• Demonstrated success delivering large-scale AI and technology transformation, with evidence of AI mastery in HR. 

• Experience leading enterprise HR platforms or programmes such as Workday, SuccessFactors, ServiceNow HRSD or similar. 

• Experience owning significant investment portfolios, benefit cases and transformation roadmaps in a matrixed environment. 

• Deep experience managing strategic vendors, outsourced service partners and consulting firms. 

• Experience transitioning technology teams to product-centric operating models and reshaping talent profiles and capabilities at scale. 

• Track record of demonstrating and communicating technology value to business executives, with outcome and benefits evidence. 

• Track record of motivational, achievement-oriented leadership of cross-functional teams. 

Capabilities & Expertise 

• Deep understanding of HR processes - HR service delivery, talent acquisition, reward, workforce planning, learning & development, performance and payroll. 

• Strong grasp of AI, generative and agentic AI, automation, natural language processing and advanced analytics as applied to HR. 

• Knowledge of data management, integration frameworks and HR data privacy, security and regulatory requirements. 

• Ability to build technology strategy in alignment with business strategy. 

Leadership Profile 

• Executive presence with the ability to influence, challenge and align senior stakeholders, including the HR Executive Leadership Team. 

• Strategic, commercial and outcome-driven mindset; strategic and analytical thinker. 

• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and leading complex, global, multicultural change. 

• Proven people leader able to build and inspire diverse, high-performing teams. 

• Recognised business and technology thought leader who attracts, grows and retains thought leaders and strategic thinkers. 

Education & Preferred Assets 

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, Human Resources or a related field (Master’s or MBA preferred). 

• Prior HR technology leadership in a large organisation. 

• Evidence of external engagement in digital transformation, HR tech forums or AI communities. 

Why This Role 

• Shape how AI and technology reimagine the employee experience for a global science-led company. 

• Direct exposure to senior executive leadership and strategic decision-making. 

• Build a team of high-calibre technology talent and define the future of HR technology as part of a transforming, product-centric, AI-enabled EUIT. 

• Be the face of how technology value is delivered and proven in partnership with HR. 

• A role with real scope, influence and legacy impact. 

Next Steps? 

Are you ready to step up and take ownership of your work, solutions for the business and your personal career development? Apply now and join us in our mission to bring life-changing medicines to people! 

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 

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. 

#LI-HYBRID 

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