Senior Director, Operations IT-Business Partner, APAC Region

About the role

AstraZeneca is looking for a Senior Director, Operations IT-Business Partner for the Asia Pacific region, based in China. The role shapes and delivers region-wide digital, data and AI-enabled outcomes that support Operations strategy, productivity, resilience, compliance and growth. It is the senior technology integrator for the region, partnering with the Asia Pacific Regional SVP, China leadership, site leadership and the Regional Leadership Team, and holds end-to-end accountability for IT performance and digital value.

Key responsibilities

• Act as the senior IT business partner to the Asia Pacific Regional SVP, China leadership and the Regional Leadership Team, shaping technology direction and building trusted executive relationships.
• Define and govern digital, data, automation and AI roadmaps aligned to Operations outcomes, and turn ambition into investment plans, business cases and prioritised portfolios.
• Lead adoption of AI-enabled, data-driven and automated capabilities across manufacturing, supply chain, quality, engineering and regional decision-making, building AI literacy and responsible governance.
• Own regional delivery excellence for global deployments and local initiatives, from mobilisation through adoption and benefits realisation, and ensure operational stability, cyber posture and data integrity.
• Manage cross-market dependencies, escalate issues and represent regional priorities in global governance forums.
• Drive change management, simplification and standardisation, and lead high-performing, inclusive teams.

Required profile

• Extensive experience in the biopharmaceutical industry or similarly regulated environments, with strong manufacturing, quality, supply chain and OT understanding.
• Proven track record leading digital, data, automation or AI transformation across complex regional or global organisations.
• Experience influencing senior leaders and shaping strategy across multiple markets, and success developing business cases, investment plans and portfolios.
• Strong experience leading through matrix structures and consistent enterprise-scale delivery.
• Desirable: degree-level education, experience with AI-enabled manufacturing and supply chain solutions, experience in China and Asia Pacific, and active industry networks.

Required skills

• Understanding of digital, data, automation and AI trends in regulated manufacturing and supply chain.
• Practical AI literacy and ability to explain AI concepts, risks and responsible adoption.
• Experience in GxP or similar regulated contexts, with awareness of data integrity, cyber security, validation and compliance.
• Strong influencing, negotiation and stakeholder-management skills, and excellent cross-cultural communication.