Finance Business Partner

At AstraZeneca, we believe in the potential of our people and you’ll develop beyond what you thought possible. We make the most of your skills and passion by actively supporting you to see what you can achieve, no matter where you start with us.

Welcome to MIND (Milan), one of over 400 sites here at AstraZeneca. The site provides a collaborative environment where everyone feels comfortable and able to be themselves, which is at the core of AstraZeneca’s priorities.

The role, reporting to the CFO and dotted line to the BU VP, is responsible for providing business support and analysis including recommendations and insight for the relevant area. The role has also the responsibility for analysing, reporting and following up on responsibility area’s results and development. Responsibility to support the business in order to maximise the financial contribution and the achievement of business objectives. The role will provide quality financial and commercial input to individual investment decisions, challenge key forecasting assumptions and deliver expert financial analysis of business performance, forecasts, key risks and sensitivities. Viewed by internal customers as a business expert with expertise in Finance.

**Typical Accountabilities**

The role broadly includes the following key components:

- Business Strategy & Decision Support
- Working proactively with the business to understand key business driver and future external environment evolution identifying opportunities and risks
- Understand key products profile and target patient population as well as market dynamics and market access
- Being actively involved in review and development of short & long-term strategy in area of accountability and maintaining an up-to-date understanding of all developments which may affect the organisation’s operations and policies and proactively advising internal customers of all relevant matters to achieve business requirements and objectives
- Understand financial information needs, producing efficient solutions to meet these needs (Business Case Development, KPIs etc)
- Assess the relevant input required to support others during difficult business decisions
- Negotiating and communicating effectively across teams and the business unit to achieve a positive outcome, encouraging others to demonstrate flexibility when considering options and assessing business impact
- Communicate performance and deliver business planning submissions/reporting in line with group timelines
- Business Performance
- Assess sales growth potential and challenge and influence the key cost drivers with joint accountability with the business for the accuracy of forecasts and, using a good understanding of the business model and financial drivers
- Develop reliable operational and financial forecasts ensuring resources are allocated to maximise value creation for AZ
- Lead the work on the financial planning cycle in area of accountability; challenging the business to set stretching but attainable performance targets, aligned to strategy and operational plans,
- Highlight sensitivities & risks and deliver timely, accurate and granular reporting and commentary of performance, linking business drivers to actual spend and forecast;
- Work with the Business to identify and drive through opportunities for growth and efficiencies
- Explore needs with internal customers and utilise this information to improve business results showing significant commercial and business acumen
- Assures tasks are of correct quality and in accordance with written procedures and current legal requirements and internal standards
- Continuous Improvement, Coaching & Governance; supporting continuous improvement in Finance processes and capabilities and lead financial risk management and financial governance in area of accountability.**
**Essential requirements**
- Qualified finance professional (or equivalent)
- Experience of Financial analysis and/or Finance Business Partnering
- Strong Excel/modelling skills
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, including oral & written.
- Excellent knowledge in English language
- Excellent Interpersonal skills.
- Integrity to handle confidential information
- Team player
- Experience of using financial systems to support business decision making (budgeting, forecasting & modelling)
- Experience of working in a global pharmaceutical organisation / understanding of the drug development life cycle and/or commercial aspects
- Demonstrable knowledge of global and corporate business context

**Desirable requirements**
- Experience of working in a global pharmaceutical organisation / understanding of the drug development life cycle and/or commercial aspects
- Demonstrable knowledge of global and corporate business context

**Why AstraZeneca?**

At AstraZeneca when we see an opportunity for change, we seize it and make it happen, because any opportunity no matter how small, can be the start of something big. We’re opening ne