Senior Director - IT Business Partner, HR

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 payr