Chief Enterprise Architect

Chief Enterprise Architect
UK, USA, Spain & India
About the role
The Chief Enterprise Architect shapes AstraZeneca’s technology future. Working at the intersection of science, data, AI and engineering, the role drives the evolution of AstraZeneca’s digital ecosystem so that technology accelerates the discovery, development and delivery of medicines. The role provides strategic technology leadership across platforms, data, AI, cloud and digital products, while enabling autonomous teams to innovate safely and at scale. Rather than acting as a central control point, the role establishes clear technology principles, reusable platforms and lightweight guardrails that help teams move faster, reduce complexity and deliver measurable business and patient impact.
Key Responsibilities
The role is accountable for shaping a modern, product- and platform-oriented technology architecture across AstraZeneca.
Technology Strategy and Guardrails
Define AstraZeneca’s enterprise technology strategy, technology principles and strategic investment priorities.
Establish lightweight architectural guardrails that enable teams to move quickly while maintaining enterprise coherence.
Simplify decision-making, reduce organisational friction and remove unnecessary architecture bureaucracy.
Advise the CIO, Executive Leadership Team and senior business leaders on strategic technology choices.
AI and Intelligent Platforms
Define AstraZeneca’s enterprise AI architecture and technology strategy, including generative AI, agents, machine learning and advanced analytics.
Establish reusable AI platforms, services and patterns that can be adopted safely across R&D, clinical, operations, commercial and corporate functions.
Partner with scientific, clinical and commercial teams to unlock AI-driven value while ensuring security, compliance and measurable outcomes.
Platform Strategy and Engineering
Build and evolve enterprise platforms that accelerate delivery and reduce duplication.
Champion platform engineering, API-first architecture, self-service capabilities and a strong internal developer experience.
Reduce cognitive load on product and engineering teams by creating reusable technology capabilities.
Digital Product and Business Transformation
Shape multi-year transformation programmes around business outcomes, product delivery and value creation.
Ensure technology platforms support AstraZeneca’s priorities across R&D, Clinical Development, Manufacturing, Commercial and Corporate Functions.
Drive modernisation and rationalisation where it improves speed, resilience, cost or user experience.
Risk, Compliance and Resilience
Embed security, privacy, resilience, GxP and regulatory compliance into technology design without slowing delivery unnecessarily.
Make balanced risk decisions that support innovation in a regulated environment.
Leadership and Culture
Build a world-class technology strategy and architecture community across AstraZeneca.
Attract and develop exceptional architects, engineers and product-minded technology leaders.
Foster a culture of curiosity, experimentation, simplicity, collaboration and speed-to-value.
Success Measures
Increased reuse of enterprise platforms and shared capabilities.
Faster technology decision-making and reduced delivery friction.
Greater adoption of AI capabilities across the enterprise.
Improved developer productivity and internal customer experience.
Reduced technology complexity, duplication and avoidable cost.
Clearer link between technology investment and business, scientific and patient outcomes.
Education, Qualifications, and Experience
Significant senior technology leadership experience in a global, complex organisation
Experience shaping technology strategy across cloud, data, AI, platforms and digital products
Track record of enabling product and engineering teams through platforms, patterns and guardrails
Experience operating successfully in regulated environments
Ability to influence C-suite stakeholders and translate technology strategy into measurable business outcomes
Desirable
Pharmaceutical, life sciences, healthcare or regulated-industry experience
Experience in a digital-native, product-led or platform-led technology organisation
Knowledge of GxP, clinical systems, R&D, manufacturing or commercial technology landscapes
MBA, advanced technical degree or equivalent experience
Skills and Capabilities
Strategic technology leadership
Product mindset and customer focus
Platform thinking and API-first architecture
AI and digital fluency
Systems thinking and ability to simplify complexity
Executive influence and storytelling
Commercial acumen and outcome orientation
Organisational change leadership
Ability to balance autonomy, speed, security and regulatory obligations
Talent development and community leadership
Desirable
Recognised thought leader in AI, cloud, digital platforms or enterprise technology strategy
Experience building platform engineering or internal developer experience capabilities
Experience scaling data and AI ecosystems across a large enterprise
External speaking, publishing or industry engagement
Why Join Us?
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.
If you are ready to take on this exciting challenge and be part of a team dedicated to revolutionizing talent acquisition in the pharmaceutical industry, we want to hear from you! Join us at AstraZeneca and let's make a real difference in the lives of patients around the world.
Office Working Requirements
When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That’s why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn’t mean we’re not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.
If you're interested.. Apply today!
Date Posted
09-Oct-2026
Closing Date
23-Oct-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.