Audit Director, IT & Digital

Audit Director, IT & Digital

Macclesfield, UK

Competitive Salary & Benefits Package

About Group Internal Audit (GIA)

GIA is a forward-looking, insight-driven assurance function that provides AstraZeneca's (AZ) Senior Leaders independent assurance and insights to navigate risks, in our pursuit to push the boundaries of science and deliver life-changing medicines. We are valued business partners in helping AZ successfully achieve its strategic objectives and aim to be a world-class internal audit function. We draw on our network of diverse minds and harness our unique views to improve how AZ manages risk.

What you'll do

Reporting to the Head of Audit, IT & Digital, the Audit Director, IT & Digital, you will help plan, manage, execute, and provide oversight over the annual audit plan. Your success will be determined by your ability to drive a systematic, risk-focused, focused, and balanced approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of processes, internal controls, risk management and governance processes. You'll have the ability to drive value to our technology and business stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Head of Audit, IT & Digital, and peer Audit Directors to develop and deliver the IT & Digital audit plan, in coordination with the overall GIA plan.

• Ensure the success of audit engagements through planning, fieldwork, and reporting, culminating in the delivery of value-added practical impactful insights and observations that support the long-term growth of the organisation.

• Ensure written reports are clear, insightful, and consumable by a non-technical executive audience.

• Verify that recommendations are implemented in a timely manner.

• Maintain a dialogue with other IT audit and cybersecurity colleagues from professional associations to keep abreast of relevant industry trends and best practices.

• Develop and maintain strong stakeholder relationships by providing thought leadership on emerging risks.

• Support the ongoing development & coaching of team members.

• Lead initiatives to drive the wider Group Internal Audit strategy.

• Promote innovation, including use of AI and data-driven techniques to inform audit activities.

Essential for the role

• Bachelor of Science degree

• Extensive experience in Information Technology (IT) or IT auditing
• Relevant audit and/or consulting experience with a Big Four accounting firms, consulting firms, and/or experience within an Internal Audit department of a large global organisation.
• Experience auditing or working closely with the following topics: cybersecurity, cloud computing, digital transformation, data governance, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies.

• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage teams and stakeholders across geographies.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to build effective and long-standing partnerships across the organisation at all levels, particularly with functional peers.

• Ability to explain complex technical concepts in easy to understand terms for non-technical executives.
• Highly motivated with a curiosity to learn.

• Experience using artificial intelligence, data-driven auditing, and/or visualisation techniques to drive impactful insights.

• Ability to undertake travel (potentially up to 15% of working days) to work on a range of audits.

Desirable for the role

• Relevant Life Sciences or Biopharmaceutical industry experience
• Experience leading multiple complex audits in a matrixed organisation, across geographical locations.
• Understanding of IT control frameworks and IA industry guidance (e.g., NIST, ISO, COBIT, ITIL, IIA, COSO, etc...).
• Degree in management information systems, business, computer science or related engineering field.
• Professional certifications (CISA, CISM, CISSP, CIA, CPA, and/or other technical accreditations).

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.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now and join us on this exciting journey!

Date Posted

19-Oct-2026

Closing Date

01-Nov-2026Our 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.