JOB TITLE  

Ethics & Compliance Associate Director Gulf and DMF International Region

ABOUT ASTRAZENECA

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.

ROLE SUMMARY

The individual will be responsible for driving and maintaining a compliance program in the Gulf (United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain) that aligns with business objectives to achieve strategic goals in line with our Values, Code of Ethics, applicable local laws, and relevant industry codes. Reporting to a senior member of the Compliance function with global accountability, the role serves as a professional specialist, potentially at the highest level of subject matter expertise, and implements the compliance framework within the business.

In addition, this role leads governance and continuous improvement for AstraZeneca’s Distributor Management Framework (DMF) across International Region, ensuring DMF processes, tools, and standards are understood, consistently applied, and regularly optimized to support distributor management excellence and risk reduction.

What you’ll do

• Implements and maintains an effective compliance program (referring to the eight elements defined globally for AZ) within the Markets and Gulf Area.
• Coordinate and assure recognized improvement delivery of International Region DMF (Distributors Management Framework) and actively lead above Markets DMF oversight and continues improvement.
• Ensure and advise on the practical implementation and roll out of AstraZeneca systems (iRiskGPT, E3s, DMF) in the market, supporting compliance and implementing/interpreting global standards to drive continues improvement of the Compliance Program and empower the business as the first line of defense for compliance accountability.
• As an SLT (Senior Leadership Team) member, provide guidance and consultation to the local SLT on non-GXP compliance matters & risk management, and provides support and/or executes “second line of defense” accountabilities (support for auditing, investigations, etc.).
• Support and coordinate Local Compliance Committee (LCC) meetings; maintain records, ensure member engagement to drive assurance of compliant business activities, address identify issues, and support risk assessment and mitigation.
• Ensure effective business partnering with the cross-functional teams including the SLT to live our company values starting with “We do the right thing” while we “Follow the Science,” “Put patients first,” “Play to win,” and “Be entrepreneurial.”
• Deliver compliance support including partnering with the Assurance Partners, GCI, KMI, GBS and another Compliance partners to analyze data and assess risks with first line leaders to ensure data driven decision making by the business
• Manage compliance training and proper risk understanding to reinforce the culture of Ethics and Transparency in the Market (e.g., Compliance Ambassadors Program to improve and empower the teams in the Market).
• Support and/or drive Regional or Global Compliance projects to ensure they are fit for purposes.
• Proactively review processes, practices and documents to identify risks and work to simplify them and effectively mitigate recognized risks.
• Support and deliver high standards of education and training on compliance matters and ensure its completeness (including 3rd Parties, Distributors and new commers)
• Provide advice to and consulting on effective implementation and maintenance of 1st line monitoring activities
• Coordinate and ensure recognized improvement delivery of the International Region DMF and actively lead above-market DMF oversight and continuous improvement.
• Maintain and evolve International DMF standards, anticipating emerging risks and ensuring controls are clear, practical, and consistently interpreted across markets.
• Facilitate International stakeholder enablement (RMs, DMF Champions, CBPs), providing guidance on DMF standards, tools, and communications to ensure consistent above‑market adoption. Lead the integration of cross‑market user feedback into DMF TrackPoint.
• Data Privacy support for the Area
• Other responsibilities as required

Education and Experience for the role

• Advanced degree in finance, law, business administration or a related field.
• Significant experience in pharmaceuticals or a related industry (min 5-8 years)
• Deep knowledge of compliance and legal framework, health care regulations, laws and standards
• Excellent analytical, written and oral communications skills
• Positive experience working in a matrix organisation
• Positive experience advising in applicable risks areas (e.g. bribery & corruption, healthcare fraud, bioethics, data privacy)
• Practical experience with implementing and enhancing the elements of compliance program
• Good understanding of AZ business processes and dependences
• Demonstrated experience advising in applicable Compliance risks
• Fluent in English

Skills and Abilities for the role

• Expertise in multi-disciplinary and cross-functional work, or project management
• Confident in exercising independent judgment and identifying when to involve others with relevant expertise or escalating
• Excellent communication & presentation & negotiation skills with active listening
• Proactive business partner mindset, proven ability to establish credibility and trust with customers
• Self-motivated and personally committed to self-development and growth
• Great analytical skills and ability to combine different information into one conclusion
• Strict respect for confidentiality
• High ethical standards

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 imagining 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 we hope it’s yours.

Where can I find out more?

Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn

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Date Posted

Closing Date

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.