Job Description

Are you ready to redefine the future of Legal and Compliance in a digital-first world and prepared to deliver smarter, faster, and leaner legal excellence? In this role, you'll guide a transformative journey, turning traditional approaches into forward-thinking strategic partnerships. This role is your chance to design a bold digital agenda, harnessing AI, automation, and analytics to enhance compliance, legal agility, and ethical business practices. You'll be at the forefront of innovation, driving cost efficiency and embedding pioneering technology into the DNA of our operations.

Accountabilities:

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Digital Strategy & Transformation: Define and implement a comprehensive digital roadmap for the Legal and Compliance function, aligned to enterprise-wide digital goals. Cost Optimisation & Operational Efficiency: Design and implement a cost optimisation strategy using automation, legal process outsourcing to Global Business Services, AI and data analytics. AI & Sophisticated Technology Enablement: Scout, assess, and implement best-in-class legal tech and compliance AI solutions. Partner Engagement & Change Management: Serve as the key liaison between Legal, Compliance, IT, Procurement, Risk and external vendors to drive aligned digital execution. Governance, Risk & Compliance Oversight: Ensure digital tools and AI platforms used within L&C align with data privacy, cybersecurity, audit ability and record-keeping standards.

Essential Skills/Experience:

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JD, LLB, or equivalent legal degree; additional qualification in technology or business management (e.g MBA) is highly advantageous Certification or coursework in AI, Legal Tech, Compliance Tech or Digital Transformation (e.g MIT AI Strategy, Oxford Digital Law, or similar) is desirable Shown success in Legal, Compliance, Legal Operations, or Legal Technology, working in a strategic and digital leadership role with deep knowledge of the legal and regulatory technology vendor landscape Previous experience of leading AI, automation, or legal tech implementation at scale. Demonstrate success in cost optimisation initiatives within professional or regulated services / industry. Legal & Compliance Digital Transformation - Proven expertise in architecting and implementing digital strategies that modernise legal operations and compliance frameworks delivering measurable efficiency, transparency and cost savings. Legal Tech Platforms - Deep knowledge of industry-leading platforms such as Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) systems (e.g Icertis, Agiloft, Ironclad), eDiscovery tools (Relativity, Exterro), legal hold and matter management systems, and AI-powered legal analytics. GRC or equivalent experience - Proficient in deploying coordinated GRC solutions (e.g ServiceNow GRC) to improve regulatory tracking, risk reporting, and compliance automation. Strategic use of AI/ML models and robotic process automation (RPA) in Legal Operations: Improving efficiency by streamlining tasks like contract review, regulatory updates, risk identification, and audit preparation Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Compliance - Advanced knowledge of global privacy regulation (GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, AI Act) and frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001) with hands-on experience in compliance tooling, data governance, and third-party risk assessments. Translating complex legal and compliance challenges into digital strategies that align with business goals and regulatory mandates. Multidisciplinary Leadership: Effective at influencing and collaborating with Legal & Compliance Leadership team, IT leadership. CISO organisation and external counsel to drive digital enablement Leading Change Initiatives & User Adoption: Expert in leading organisational change initiatives and training programs to maximise adoption of new compliance and legal technologies including AI capabilities as well.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

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Prior experience in Legal tech leadership roles in large organisation Evidence of external engagement in digital transformation, Legal tech forums, or AI Legal communities. Chaired or part of legal tech innovation councils and working groups to evaluate emerging tech (block chain, smart contracts, generative AI) for legal use cases.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we ignite ambitious 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 high-reaching world.


AstraZeneca is where innovation meets impact. Our work directly transforms lives by developing life-changing medicines through innovative science combined with leading digital technology platforms. We empower our teams to perform at their peak by fostering an environment that encourages experimentation with sophisticated technologies like AI and machine learning. With a commitment to redefining the industry through data-led strategies and global collaboration, AstraZeneca offers a dynamic space for growth and learning. Here you can take ownership of your path while contributing to something far bigger.


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