IT Exceptions Lead

AstraZeneca


Job Location:

Macclesfield - UK

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed
Posted on: 19 hours ago
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

IT Exceptions Lead

Location: Macclesfield UK

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 worlds most serious diseases. But were more than one of the worlds leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca we are pioneering new frontiers by identifying and treating patients earlier working towards the aim of eliminating cancer as a cause of death.

Are you ready to turn complex risk trade-offs into clear confident decisions that protect people data and technology AsIT Exceptions Leadin our Cyber Security team you will build and mature a high-impact exceptions framework that enables secure pragmatic delivery across a fast-moving global enterprise. Your work will help safeguard the digital backbone behind life-changing science directly supporting the teams who discover develop and deliver medicines to patients.

You will lead the design digitisation and ongoing management of the IT exceptions process end to end aligning it to risk management practices embedding strong governance and increasing speed and consistency across functions and geographies. Can you see yourself guiding senior stakeholders through nuanced risk-based choices while driving measurable improvements in oversight and accountability

Accountabilities:

  • Process Ownership Serve as Business Process Owner for IT Exceptions driving maturity consistency and continuous improvement across the process

  • Risk Alignment Ensure the exceptions process closely aligns to IT risk management practices tooling and strategic goals to enable risk-based outcomes

  • Digitisation and AI Enablement Continuously improve and digitise the process exploiting tools automation and AI to scale efficiency and control

  • Exception Assessment and Approval Assess and approve IT exceptions content ensuring timely plans quality deliverables and clear risk treatments

  • Data Quality and Reporting Drive accountability for the completeness accuracy and currency of IT exceptions data through monitoring tracking and reporting

  • Trend and Issue Management Identify communicate and manage trends in compliance risks breaches and issues; agree and track mitigations aligned to risk appetite

  • Governance and Metrics Plan govern and report key compliance metrics and measures to drive accountability across IT

  • Regulatory and Audit Readiness Provide compliance input and evidence for external regulatory and internal governance inspections and forums

  • Stakeholder Engagement Act as the primary contact for IT exceptions-related questions and issues; build trusted relationships with senior IT and business stakeholders

  • Training Education and Awareness Lead development and rollout of training education and awareness to embed a strong exceptions culture

  • External Insight Represent the company at industry forums to bring back leading practices that elevate our approach

Essential Skills & Experience:

  • BA/BSc and extensive experience in IT risk management and/or compliance application in large IT organisations preferably in the pharmaceutical industry

  • Familiarity with technical concepts in Cybersecurity infrastructure or applications

  • Experience in leading a team delivering strategies and influencing senior stakeholders

  • Experience of operating at senior levels across functions and geographies in large complex IT environments

  • Strong compliance experience/expertise

  • Broad IT management experience including project or service management

  • Proven challenge negotiation and influencing capabilities

  • Strong collaboration and relationship building skills

  • Strong presentation communication and facilitation skills

  • Ability to make pragmatic decisions by analysing highly complex/time-critical situations assessing risks and stabilising strategic and tactical compliance requirements

  • High levels of drive energy resilience and a desire for professional excellence

  • Ability to hold self and others accountable for actions

  • Strong change leadership and team working skills

Desirable Skills & Experience:

  • Lean trained

  • Experience of providing regulatory support including computerised system validation/assurance activities

  • Knowledge of industry good practice and standards such as ISO 9000 ISO 27001 ISO 27002 GxP ITIL CMMI Sarbanes-Oxley

  • External qualifications such as ISPE PCC CPIP and ISACA CISM CISA or CRISC

  • Experience in using ServiceNow IRM (formerly GRC)

  • Experience of contributing to implementation of a Risk and Compliance strategy with the ability to prioritise and understand the impact of the decisions made

Our Flexible Working Culture

When we put unexpected teams in the same room we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing -person working gives us the platform we need to connect work at pace and challenge perceptions. Thats why we work on average a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesnt mean were not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Why AstraZeneca

Join a purpose-led global technology community that powers breakthrough science with secure modern platforms and data at scale. Here you will collaborate with experts across disciplines translate complex risk into clear business value and shape how a digital data-driven enterprise manages security decisions at pace. We combine curiosity with high standards invest in cutting-edge tools and AI and value kindness alongside ambition so you can experiment learn and deliver impact that ultimately reaches patients.

Ready to make your mark

Own a mission-critical security governance domain and help protect the science that saves lives take the next step in your career and apply to lead this change today.

Competitive salary and benefits package on offer!

The successful candidate will have access to a flexible employee benefits fund including holiday purchase and flexible time off pension contributions Share Save Plans A performance recognition scheme and a competitive generous remuneration package.

Where can I find out more

Our Social Media Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn AstraZeneca on Facebook AstraZeneca on Instagram Posted

19-Jun-2026

Closing Date

09-Jul-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations please complete the section in the application form.
IT Exceptions Lead Location: Macclesfield UKAbout AstraZenecaAstraZeneca is a global science-led patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the worlds most serious diseases. But were more than one of...

About Company

Company Logo

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer. AstraZeneca will consider all qualified applicants for employment without discrimination on grounds of disability, sex or sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity leave status, race or national or ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, ... View more

View Profile View Profile