VP, Head of AI Enterprise Process and Innovation Centre (EPIC)

VP, Head of AI Enterprise Process and Innovation Centre (EPIC) UK & USA Locations About the role We are seeking an exceptional executive to lead AI-EPIC (AI Enterprise Process and Innovation Centre) with AstraZeneca Enterprise AI unit. Reporting to the SVP Chief Digi tal, Data and AI Officer, sitting on the EAI Leadership Team as well as on HR Leadership Team, this VP is responsible for 4 critical pillars of AstraZeneca AI Strategy: AI for Enabling Units, Enterprise Process & Innovation, User Experience, AI Learning & Development. EPIC mission is to reimagine work across the enterprise, applying AI to solve complex problems and reimagine critical processes, while putting people, trust, and change adoption at the centre of every solution we build. This role requires a visionary leader who can balance Strategic thinking with hands-on Execution across People – including adoption and change management - , Process and Technology - including MVP delivery, also ensuring that usage analytics and outcome data effectively inform model updates and business decision-making processes. ​ The role holder will thrive in AstraZeneca's collaborative, matrix-driven environment and will serve as a role model for successful cross-functional and agile working, orchestrating teams and projects smoothly and efficiently across the matrix. Strong partnership with business functions is critical. This leader must be passionate about developing organizational capabilities and driving behavioural change, demonstrating the ability to influence and inspire teams across the enterprise to embrace AI innovation while maintaining operational excellence. AI FOR ENABLING UNITS : The responsibilities include the design, creation and launch of AI solutions for Enabling Units where they matter most: Business Development (BD), Compliance, Finance, Global Corporate Affairs, GPPM, Human Resources (HR), Legal and Procurement, and embedding reusable AI across those core functions PROCESS & INNOVATION : The responsibilities include (1) designing and delivering usable AI solution MVPs that prove value for the enterprise and (2) redesigning complex and critical processes to deliver faster, scalable enterprise value, working in tandem with the other EAI teams aligned to R&D, Commercial and Manufacturing. The team will partner with AIT and IT to productise and scale. This team will also lead roll out of large transformation Enterprise AI programs, such as AZ EveryDay AI, in close partnership with IT and business functions. AI USER EXPERIENCE: The responsibilities include partnering with AI functions to establish human-centred design and user experience capabilities across AI programmes, making AI usable, and engaging people at every critical stage of the AI solution design journey to increase adoption. AI L&D The responsibilities include being an active player of the AI upskilling of EAI and AZ employees, working hand in hand with HR and the various business L&D teams. Key Accountabilities Strategic Leadership : Lead the development and execution of comprehensive workflow optimization strategies that align with AstraZeneca's operational excellence objectives and digital transformation initiatives Cross-Functional Partnership : Collaborate extensively, with agility and pragmatism, with other EAI teams, Global Business Services (GBS) and other key stakeholders to ensure seamless integration of optimization initiatives across organizational boundaries AI Automation Implementation : Drive the design, development, and deployment of AI-powered automation solutions to eliminate operational toil and remove critical bottlenecks across business functions, in partnership with other EAI teams where relevant Performance Measurement : Establish and maintain robust analytics frameworks to measure success through cycle-time reduction, quality improvements, adoption and user satisfaction metrics Change Management Excellence : Drives change and provide when appropriate white-glove change management support when required, ensuring smooth adoption of new processes and technologies across affected teams Knowledge Management : Develop, publish, and maintain comprehensive playbooks and best practices for organizational reuse and scalability Team Leadership : Build, develop, and lead a high-performing team of workflow optimization specialists, agile engineers, and change management professionals Stakeholder Engagement : Maintain strong relationships with enabling leaders, scientists, clinicians, field teams, and business leaders to understand operational challenges and deliver targeted solutions Continuous Improvement : Drive ongoing assessment and refinement of existing workflows and automation solutions to maximize organizational impact and return on investment Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, Operations Management, or related technical field Advanced degree (Master's/MBA) preferred Experience: Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives in large organisation Proven track record of implementing AI/ML automation solutions in enterprise environments Minimum 8-10 years of progressive leadership experience in workflow optimization, process improvement, or digital transformation roles Experience working within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or highly regulated industries Strong background in change management methodologies and organizational transformation Technical Skills: Deep understanding of AI/ML technologies and their practical applications in workflow automation Proficiency in process mapping, workflow analysis, and optimization methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.) Experience with data analytics platforms and performance measurement frameworks Knowledge of enterprise software systems and integration approaches Leadership and Soft Skills: Exceptional leadership and team management capabilities with experience building high-performing teams Outstanding communication and presentation skills with ability to influence senior stakeholders. Strong ability to listen Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with data-driven decision-making approach High agility Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously while maintaining quality standards Desirable Experience Additional Education: PhD in relevant technical discipline Professional certifications in process improvement (Six Sigma Black Belt, Lean certification) Project management certifications (PMP, Agile/Scrum Master) Specialized Experience: Experience specifically within pharmaceutical R&D, clinical operations, or commercial functions </li