SAP S/4HANA – Data Governance Specialist - Secondment / FTC (until end of June 2028)
About this role
SAP S/4HANA – Data Governance Specialist - secondment / FTC (until end of June 2028)
Luton
The Axial Programme (Global S/4HANA implementation)
We are one purpose-led global organisation. The enablers and innovators, ensuring that we can fulfil our mission to push the boundaries of science and discover and develop life-changing medicines. We take pride in working close to the cause, opening the locks to save lives, ultimately making a massive difference to the outside world.
AstraZeneca (AZ) is in a period of strong growth and our employees have a united purpose to make a difference to patients around the world who need both our medicines and the ongoing developments from our science. In this journey AZ must continue to work across borders and with partners and new colleagues in a fast and seamless way. The ambition, size and complexity of the organisation, coupled with the opportunities afforded by new technology, has led the Board to approve a large scale transformation of the IT landscape by the replacement of current ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems with one global solution.
Our current technology is used by more than 20,000 employees daily, is foundational to all AZ entities and is central to most core business processes. This programme provides the opportunity for real transformation and to shape the way of working globally for many years to come.
This programme requires the best. Whether it be the technical skills, business understanding or change leadership, we want to ensure we have the strongest team deployed throughout. The programme seeks to deliver a world class change programme that leaves all employees with a fuller understanding of their role in the end-to-end nature of our global company. This programme will provide AZ with a competitive edge, to the benefits of its employees and patients.
Introduction to the role
We are now looking for a SAP S/4HANA Master Data Governance Specialist to join our team! In this role yiou will be responsible for providing data governance stewardship to the S/4 programme and the evolution of relevant data governance concepts including but not limited to the development of SAP S/4 Data Cataloguing, Data Standards, Data Management processes, relevant Data Assurance concepts in close collaboration with BAU Data Offices as well onboarding AZ businesses to adopt/align with the newly developed governance concepts and capabilities.
In this role you will harness MDG technical solutions, Data Catalogue tools/standards as defined by the Enterprise Data Office and will collaborate with various BAU data offices and Business Data Owners to drive data quality and maturity. The role may provide stewardship in data governance strategy & operations, data standards management, data quality management, data policy, compliance & risk management, data cleansing and migration for conversation from legacy SAP systems to S/4HANA.
Responsibilities
- Data Governance Strategy and Operations
- Support the design and implementation of Global Data Governance Framework which supports the overall strategy.
- Secure effective and transparent capture, prioritization and execution of partner needs, including the various data offices in AstraZeneca.
- Oversight of and active drive of data transition frameworks, data catalogues, governance processes, standards, quality and compliance.
- Responsible for the implementation of specific S/4HANA relevant data governance aspects including global Data SAP S/4HANA data standards in support of the many S/4HANA processes that will be developed in a fit-to-standard model.
- Data Policy, Compliance and risk management
- Assure SAP S/4HANA Data governance remains aligned with AZ global Data policies.
- Follow the strategy and facilitate implementation of the Data Governance framework, metrics and forums for S/4HANA.
- Data Standards and Quality management
- Assist in cross-functional development of Data Standards, including Master data, Reference data and Metadata.
- Assist with improvements initiatives for legacy SAP solutions in order to raise data quality (interacting with in-line/BAU data offices across the organization).
- Support execution of Data Cleanse and Migration activities in support of migration from legacy SAP systems in partnership with process owners, systems and IT owners.
- Develop Data Quality guidelines and rules, and influence cross-functional adoption
- Develop effective global procedures to ensure that each data asset is governed throughout its lifetime incorporating requirements such as accountability, stewardship, integrity, auditability and standardisation.
- Influence key senior partners to maintain alignment to data quality and governance strategy.
- Identify relevant partners, establish cross-functional priorities to drive Data Quality metrics and oversee continuous remediation across functional borders in S/4HANA.
- Lead the initiation and buildout of a robust Data Cataloguing capability enhancing the data literacy and governance accessibility across the organisation
- Leadership, Improvement and Change
- Facilitate change and improvement of data literacy, culture and compliance, including cross-functional engagements and projects.
- Support the build, track and management of the S/4HANA Data Governance & Quality Assurance delivery plan & effectively communicate any impacts, changes or dependencies to the Project Teams
- Essential for the role
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Information/Data Science, Informatics, computer science, economics (or equivalent experience)
- Significant and validated experience and with detailed domain expertise within a relevant industry.
- In-depth and demonstrated knowledge of standards, data management and IT management regulations, policies and principles, applicable to the Pharma industry.
- Validated experience in defining, delivering and supporting the adoption of Master Data Management processes & Data Quality capabilities to the Business.
- Significant experience of Business/IT partnering for the implementation of Data Governance-related solutions.
- Proficient knowledge and experience with regulated and/or legal environment and requirements (e.g., GxP, data privacy and security).
- Validated experience in leading data standard transformation initiatives by partnering with project teams to develop data standards, coordinate stakeholder reviews, and secure Business Owner approvals.
- Demonstrable experience in leading a structured handover to Business and Data Office stakeholders, embedding clear data ownership and sustaining master data quality governance.
- co-ordinating data standard transformation projects, driving governance activities across but not limited to creating data standards in collaboration with project teams, ensuring key stakeholder reviews, managing approvals with Business Owners and driving a clear and process driven handover to Business & Data Office stakeholders to ensure data ownership and quality are engrained in the use of the master data going forward.
- Demonstrated ability to lead Data Governance Forums to drive clear change management capabilities and ways of working.
- Demonstrated leadership capabilities and AZ values at appropriate target level.
- Desirable for the role
- Experience in life sciences and healthcare or similar industry with SAP MDG experience.
- Experience working across the drug research and development lifecycle.
- Intimate knowledge of relevant key business processes
- Network of relevant contacts and relationships, including external links
- Data Governance and Data Management education and certifications
- Why AstraZeneca?
- At Astrazeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of 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.
- Ready to make an impact?
- Apply now to join our team!
- Date Posted
- 07-May-2026
- Closing Date
- 14-May-2026
- Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.