SyndicatedFractional ExecutiveGaithersburg, Maryland, United States
Full-time Chief Enterprise Architect, AstraZeneca
FULL-TIME EXEC JOB · HEALTHTECH SECTOR · GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND, UNITED STATES
Full-time Chief Enterprise Architect at AstraZeneca, based in Gaithersburg. Full posting below, with the day rate stated or estimated with its basis.
Full-time Chief Enterprise Architect — the posting in full
~/original-posting · verbatimsource: workday
What the posting asks · quoted from the listing
- Certification
MBA, advanced technical degree or equivalent experience
Chief Enterprise Architect
- (USA : Gaithersburg, Maryland; Wilmington, Delaware; or Boston, Massachusetts | UK : Cambridge , Macclesfield | Spain: Barcelona | India, Chennai)
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!
The annual base salary for this position in the US ranges from $217,970 - $326,955. However, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles) or to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
Date Posted
26-Oct-2026
Closing Date
01-Nov-2026
Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.
Same role · same category
Similar Fractional Executive jobs
Same sector
Other fractional jobs in healthtech
Latest on the board
Featured fractional roles
Explore the category
Browse every fractional leadership role
not quite the right fit?
Tell us what you're actually looking for.
Browse the UK fractional and interim roles on our board — each day rate stated, estimated with its basis, or marked not stated — flagged when a role is worth a fractional pitch.
Hiring for a role like this? We undertake a shortlist of 3–5, five-stage vetting and an IR35 position on every brief.