AstraZeneca

Specialist - Data Governance & Policy

India - Chennai Full time

Job Title: Specialist - Data Governance & Policy

Career Level: D2

Introduction to role:

Are you ready to shape how data and AI are governed across a global enterprise so innovation moves faster and stays compliant? Can you turn complex legal and regulatory requirements into simple, scalable processes that teams love to use?

In this role, you will sit at the heart of how we use information and intelligent technologies responsibly. You will work with experts across the business to embed trust by building it into our processes. Your work will ensure the systems and insights that power discovery, development, and delivery are robust, ethical, and auditable—so our scientists and teams can focus on creating impact for patients.

You will join a fast paced, collaborative community that powers excellence across the company. By building clear standards, running enterprise forums, and reporting what matters, you will help shape how we run—driving consistent outcomes, reducing risk, and unlocking value from data at scale.

Accountabilities:

Data and AI Governance

  • Responsible for planning and performing assessments of data and AI oversight to check policy and control compliance.

  • Collaborating with business, legal, compliance, and IT teams—as well as external legal counsel or regulators—to ensure AI assessments and related practices align with legal, regulatory, and policy requirements.

Data Governance Operations

  • Develop robust, standardised processes to ensure that data governance activities are efficient and simple to engage with

  • Report on performance of data governance processes, standards, quality, and compliance within relevant area(s)

  • Run and participate in GDO, Enterprise Data Office (EDO) and cross-business unit forums

Data Privacy

  • Provide first line subject matter expertise to internal collaborators on privacy

  • Support process owners in documenting Records of Processing Activities (ROPA)

  • Support process owners and project teams in completing Privacy Impact Assessments (PIA)

Data Policy, Compliance and Risk Management

  • Facilitate the roll out of Enterprise data and AI policies and standards within defined business area(s)

  • Provide feedback and input on business area requirements for enterprise data policies, standards, and guidelines

  • Assure data and AI issue and risk registers

  • Provide data policy SME support to process owners and project teams

Community Engagement

  • Educate and publicise data governance concepts, polices and standards through presentations, GDO intranet site and AZ internal social media

  • Support central compliance areas (e.g. Privacy Office) in the creation and sharing of educational material.

Essential Skills/Experience:

  • Demonstrable experience of working in a data office, data governance or data management role

  • Domain knowledge of life sciences/pharmaceuticals; manufacturing; corporate finance; or sales & marketing

  • Knowledge of Data and AI Governance, Risk Assessments, Third party vendor assessments

  • Knowledge of data protection principles and regulation (e.g. GDPR)

  • Solid understanding of data privacy and data governance principles

  • Good change management skills

  • Good administrative and organisational skills

  • Proficient in Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

  • Experience of maintaining information and documentation using collaboration tools (e.g. SharePoint)

  • Excellent attention to detail

  • Conceptual and strategic problem solver

  • Confident engaging and managing collaborators at all levels

  • Strong communication, presentation and influencing skills

Desirable Skills/Experience:

  • Knowledge of data privacy and AI Governance

  • Experience of working in a complex, diverse global organisation

  • Knowledge of ethical and regulatory aspects of the use of data within AI and analytics

  • Experience with Data privacy and Governance tools

  • Experience of producing and delivering training.

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.

Why AstraZeneca:

Join a global, mission-led company where data and digital capabilities power every function—from freeing scientists to do more discovery to reimagining enterprise processes. You will work with curious, kind, and ambitious colleagues who put unexpected teams in the same room to spark bold thinking, using predictive analytics, smart automation, and modern data platforms to solve real problems that matter to patients. Here, you will be trusted to act, supported to learn, and encouraged to challenge how things have always been done—so your governance expertise translates directly into safer, faster impact at scale.

If you are ready to turn rigorous governance into a catalyst for responsible innovation, take the lead and help us set the standard for trustworthy data and AI today!

Date Posted

16-Mar-2026

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.