Overview
Job Title - Director - Axial Technology Data Design – Information Architect
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. Yet this is not an IT or technology led programme, rather this provides the opportunity for real business transformation and to shape the way of working globally for many years to come. By the time of its completion this programme will impact every AZ product, every AZ supplier, every $ of cash collected from AZ customers and every external financial and internal KPI report.
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.
Role and responsibilities
The Information Architecture lead is part of the Axial Technology Data Design team and has full end to end accountability to lead the design and governance of information models and architectures, master data, transformation rules, metadata, and data lineage for our global processes.
You will support and lead the information and data architecture development of both operational/transactional and analytical systems, minimizing the number of data transformations across the estate and assuring architectural and metadata development to appropriate standards and guidelines. You will also support and lead the design of reference and master data management solutions, both at programme and enterprise level, leading case analysis and development. You will oversee data analysis and appropriate data modelling activities, and you should be passionate about profiling and understanding data to support Information Architecture activities and engineering implementation. The challenge of the Information Architecture lead is to understand business requirements and translate them into a realistic IT delivery plan, balancing business requirements with the practicalities of delivering a technology platform and capability. This will be a partnership with the business to ensure the balance of requirements and AZ IT strategy and technology plans are met.
The Information Architecture lead will support the design and governance of information models and architectures, master data, transformation rules, metadata, and data lineage for our global processes. This includes defining, leveraging and extending standard AstraZeneca reference architectures, data models and design patterns.
This includes focusing on the Information Architecture and Data Analysis capabilities for the Axial programme. Establish strong working relationship with Enterprise Information and Data Architecture groups to develop an in-depth understanding of business priorities and data requirements. Collaborate with the Enterprise Data & Information Architecture team to develop a coordinated approach to information architecture across AstraZeneca. Be accountable for the alignment and evolution of AZ information Architecture, Data Model, Taxonomy, Glossary and Ontologies and the application of those models in solution design and implementation in the Axial Programme.
Responsibilities also include architecture evangelization, roadmap development and alignment; developing and performing architecture, best practice, and technology education for the Axial Programme; and Architectural Governance across all DA disciplines for the Axial Programme. You will be an active member of appropriate business data governance councils to ensure ongoing information architecture is fit for purpose.
What you'll do: Essential Accountabilities
Enterprise Data Accountabilities:
- Responsible for working within the Enterprise Data Architecture Framework of defining, extending, managing, and benchmarking project against best practices, models (logical, physical, semantic), standards, frameworks, and the overall Blueprint as owned by the Chief Data Architect.
- Contributes to leaders of the overall Enterprise Data Strategy in partnership with the AstraZeneca business functions, solution developments and functional projects.
- Accountable for the alignment and evolution of the AZ information Architecture, Data Model, Taxonomy, Glossary and Ontologies and the application of those models in solution design and implementation.
- Responsible for ensuring compliance and governing ongoing architecture and technology innovation.
- Responsible for architecture and technology evangelization, architecture roadmap, and alignment.
- Responsible for developing and performing architecture, best practice, and technology education.
- Responsible for Architectural Governance across all DA disciplines for the Axial Programme.
Delivery Related Accountabilities:
- Responsible for selecting the accurate data architecture patterns, as per AZ data framework to fulfil traditional reporting and analytics, data science, digital, and operational business use cases. This includes providing project-level data architecture planning, design expertise and execution on development projects, from technical designs and technology standards to Models and IA considerations.
- Based on Axial business requirements that determine the various types of data structure types needed for a project such as raw, conform, and consumption data layers, leveraging structure model types such as 3rd Normal Form, normalized, and dimensional structures.
- Providing project level support of Data Models, Metadata, Linage, Taxonomies, Ontologies and Information Architecture Best practice and design.
- Supports (or leads) in the development of Data Integration architecture and overall Data Integration design of a project.
- Approves the various artifacts ensuring enforcement of standard enterprise data element names, abbreviations, characteristics, and domains during the lifecycle of a project.
- Responsible for authoring and reviewing Axial project work to ensure compliance and reuse within Architectural Standards as defined by the Enterprise Information Architecture Practice aligned to data standards and data design principles.
- Be seen as an Information Architect expert and trusted by the extended collaborators within the Axial programme, AZ and any related third parties.
Essential for the Role:
- Bachelors Degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science or Information Management or Data Technology related field.
- Significant experience and knowledge within domain.
- Significant experience building and driving project plans and deliverables to meet objectives.
- The role holder will possess a blend of data/information architecture, analysis, and engineering skills.
- Experience in known industry architectural patterns and IT architecture ways of working.
- Understanding the appropriate data structure and technology based on business use case and familiarity with data lifecycles.
- Experience in the use of data modeling technologies.
- Experience in Agile data definition scrums.
- Experience in the use of metadata cataloguing tools.
Desirable for the Role:
- Post-graduate degree in MIS, Data Management.
- Significant experience in a data/information architect role with practical examples of designing and providing data engineering blueprints that have been pragmatically and actually implemented.
- Experience of Information and Data Governance frameworks and their application.
- Experience in Snowflake and SAP S/4 HANA data model.
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.
So, what’s next?
- Are you already imaging yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you.
- Are you ready to bring new ideas and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant! We have one seat available and hope its yours
- If you’re curious to know more then we welcome your application no later than
Where can I find out more?
Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn
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Date Posted
31-Oct-2025
Closing Date
30-Oct-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.
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