Description
At AstraZeneca, our people are naturally curious: forever connecting and collaborating to uncover insights that equip us to challenge convention and push boundaries. Our high-performing teams are united by a shared purpose to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines, with each member bringing a personal motivation to make a difference to patients, society and our company.Our workforce reflects the people we serve, with diversity embedded in everything we do. This harmony of distinct perspectives and experiences is a source of strength, fuelling our creativity and showing the full scope of AstraZeneca's contribution to society.Role SummaryThe VP Compliance International Markets is a strategic leadership role accountable for the Global Ethics & Compliance Programme across AstraZeneca's International Commercial Markets, encompassing Latin America, Middle East & Africa, Russia/Eurasia, and Asia-Pacific (excluding China and Japan). This region represents one of AstraZeneca's most dynamic and rapidly growing commercial territories, characterised by significant compliance complexity — from country-based legal marketing affiliates in more mature markets to primarily distributor-based models in smaller and emerging markets.The role holder will serve on both the Global Ethics & Compliance Leadership Team and the International Senior Leadership Team, leading a geographically dispersed team of 30+ compliance professionals and Area line managers. This individual will be the primary compliance voice for the International Markets, shaping strategy, enabling smart risk-taking, and fostering a culture of ethics and integrity across diverse regulatory environments and business models.A solution-focused, pragmatic mindset combined with deep business acumen and excellent partnership skills is essential — balancing robust risk management with the agility required to support AstraZeneca's growth ambitions across our Therapy Areas of Focus in Oncology, Respiratory, CVRM, Vaccines & Immunotherapy, and Rare Disease.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership & GovernanceOwn and evolve the International Markets compliance strategy, ensuring alignment with global programme objectives while addressing the unique risk profiles of mature and emerging markets operating under diverse commercial modelsServe as an active, trusted member of the Global Compliance Leadership Team and International Leadership Team, providing strategic compliance counsel on business initiatives, innovative models (e.g., digital health, expanded screening, personalised medicine, guideline-driven patient care), and market expansion across both primarily public-pay and self-pay healthcare systemsAct as the primary compliance point of contact for the International Markets, including interactions with external regulators, agencies, industry bodies (e.g., IFPMA), and law enforcement in collaboration with Legal partnersRisk Management & ControlsDrive effective risk awareness and mitigation across routine business activities and innovative approaches; apply learnings for enterprise-wide improvementEnsure robust compliance controls are embedded by design within key business processes and incentive structures; evolve the control framework to address emerging local, regional, and global risksPartner with Global Compliance Assurance to implement proactive monitoring and reporting systems that provide ongoing assurance of adherence to compliance standards and ethical decision-makingTimely remediate known gaps and apply related learnings across the region and globallyBusiness Partnership & EnablementEmpower the business as the first line of defence, providing pragmatic, solutions-oriented advice that enables agile decision-making in a fast-paced environmentDeliver strategic compliance guidance to senior leaders, distilling complex regulatory and risk issues into business-friendly language and actionable recommendationsConstructively challenge where needed while maintaining credibility as an independent advisor with deep understanding of commercial realities, risks and opportunitiesCollaborate closely with EUCAN, Biopharma, Oncology, and Rare Disease compliance teams as well as Global Assurance, Global Compliance Investigations, Enterprise Compliance and Data Ethics and the Strategy & Operations centre to drive consistency (while meeting local needs), avoid duplication and leverage innovationCulture, Training & CommunicationsChampion AstraZeneca's Values-based culture, starting with We do the right thing, ensuring International Market leaders set appropriate tone-at-the-top and cultivate an environment where individuals feel empowered to speak upDrive implementation of compliance training and develop business-relevant case studies, tools, and innovative communication resources that support principles-based decision-makingFoster accountability at all levels, ensuring employees understand minimum expectations and possess the capabilities to operate with integrityPeople Leadership & DevelopmentLead, develop, and inspire a diverse team of 30+ compliance business partners and Area leads across multiple geographies and time zones; build a collaborative, nimble, and high-performing team cultureDevelop future leaders and drive simplification, efficiency, and digital ways of working across the functionEstablish deep networks across support functions (HR, Legal, IT, Procurement, Global Business Services, Internal Audit, Media Relations) as an ambassador for the broader Ethics & Compliance strategySkills & CapabilitiesBusiness Partnership & Commercial AcumenProactive business partner mindset — trusted and credible advisor at all levels who balances appropriate risk management with enabling commercial objectivesSolution-oriented thinker with a pragmatic approach; delivers simple, business-driven solutions to complex challengesMakes well-reasoned decisions in ambiguous situations guided by AstraZeneca's Values; comfortable operating at pace in a fluid environmentCompliance & Risk ExpertiseDeep understanding of compliance risks and the operation of effective compliance programmes across all stages of late-stage development, commercialization and the broader supply chainDemonstrated expertise in bribery & corruption, healthcare fraud, data privacy, promotion of biopharmaceuticals, scientific exchange, and bioethicsStrong capability in data analysis and leveraging data-driven insights for risk management and decision-makingLeadership & InfluenceProven ability to operate at all levels of management, including senior executives, and influence significant business decisions and strategy; courage to articulate contrary or unpopular positions when warrantedEffective people leader — recruits, develops, and retains diverse talent; drives change within teams and cross-functionally; committed to creating a positive, inclusive working environmentPassionate and resilient — motivated by AstraZeneca's mission to transform patient outcomesInterpersonal & Cultural AgilityExcellent relationship-building skills across different geographies, cultures, time zones, and virtual settingsGlobal mindset with sensitivity to diverse cultural, local regulatory and health system contexts; multilingual capability and/or experience living in multiple countries are distinct advantagesActive listener who is open to compromise and challenge; adapts communication style to different audiences and preferencesPersonal QualitiesUncompromising professional ethics and integrity; scrupulously protects confidential informationSelf-motivated with strong learning agility; personally committed to continuous developmentTeam-first orientation — prioritises collective success over personal achievementConfident in exercising independent judgment and identifying when to escalate or involve others with relevant expertiseProfessional & Educational RequirementsEducationAdvanced degree required — JD, MA/MS, MBAExperience8–10 years in the biopharmaceutical industry (AstraZeneca experience preferred)3–5 years leading area, regional, or global teamsSignificant compliance, legal, audit, and/or risk management experience, with deep understanding of compliance challenges confronting the biopharmaceutical or healthcare industryDemonstrated effectiveness in complex, global organisational and regulatory environments, including both mature and emerging marketsPractical experience implementing and enhancing effective compliance programme elementsEstablished track record of collaboration in a matrix organisation and continuously improving compliance frameworks across business units and/or marketsInternational role experience strongly preferred — including exposure to diverse commercial models (direct affiliate operations through to distributor-based markets)Date Posted04-Sept-2026Closing Date11-Sept-2026AstraZeneca 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.