GBS Continuous Improvement Manager

Do you want to be part of an inclusive team that works to develop innovative therapies for patients? Every day, we are driven to develop and deliver innovative and effective new medicines to patients and physicians.  If you want to be part of this exciting work, you belong at Astellas

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are committed to turning innovative science into medical solutions that bring value and hope to patients and their families. Keeping our focus on addressing unmet medical needs and conducting our business with ethics and integrity enables us to improve the health of people throughout the world. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at  .

Astellas' Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are strategically located sites that give Astellas the ability to access talent across various functions in the value chain and to co-locate core capabilities that are currently dispersed. Our three GCCs are located in India, Poland and Mexico.The GCCs will enhance our operational efficiency, resilience and innovation potential, enabling a timely response to changing business demands.

Our GCCs are an integral part of Astellas, guided by our shared values and behaviors, and are critical enablers of the company's strategic priorities, sustainable growth, and commitment to turn innovative science into VALUE for patients.

Purpose And Scope
The primary purpose of the position is to act as a study level centralized monitoring contributor, supporting Astellas drug development projects of moderate to high complexity. The incumbent requires limited supervision and day-to-day support from line management. The individual represents Quantitative Sciences and Evidence Generation (QSEG) as a Risk Based Quality Management (RBQM) and central monitoring subject matter expert and advocate for CM processes. The Central Monitor will support the implementation and ongoing evolution of procedures to ensure Astellas maintains a robust, comprehensive RBQM (RBQM) central monitoring program. This includes providing subject matter expertise to the development of processes and tools, and to oversee our external partnerships with vendors performing study level work.

Responsibilities And Accountabilities
Continuous Improvement & Process Optimization

• Design, monitor, and analyze end-to-end R2R process metrics to identify inefficiencies and implement improvements.
• Ensure strong process controls, documentation, and compliance to support accurate audit and financial reporting.
• Drive automation and AI adoption (e.g., RPA, Blackline automation, machine learning) to accelerate close timelines, reduce manual work, and improve data quality.
• Benchmark R2R performance (e.g., reconciliations, closing timelines) against industry best practices.

Record-to-Report Oversight

• Collaborate with Finance teams to streamline GL management, trial balances, intercompany transactions, reconciliations, and consolidations.
• Partner with global process owners to refine R2R frameworks, ensuring compliance with IFRS, local GAAP, and internal controls.
• Oversee month- and year-end close cycles, resolving bottlenecks to ensure timely, accurate reporting.
• Work with Compliance to ensure adherence to policies and regulations.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Build strong relationships with global process owners, delivery leads, and business stakeholders.
• Provide coaching and guidance to GBS team members to enhance R2R expertise and accountability.
• Act as the primary escalation point for R2R issues and lead governance forums.

Governance & Compliance

• Establish governance for R2R metrics aligned with organizational standards.
• Promote a strong risk management culture by embedding controls and data accuracy safeguards.
• Support external audits with timely deliverables and resolution of findings.

Projects & Change Management

• Lead global and regional R2R improvement initiatives and transformation projects (e.g., system upgrades, GL accelerations).
• Partner with IT, automation teams, and consultants to modernize R2R processes.
• Apply change management principles to drive adoption of new processes and tools.

Required Qualifications

• Education and Language Skills
• Bachelor's degree from a recognized university, ideally in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Fluency in English language.
• Technical and Process Knowledge
• Understanding of R2R functions, including financial close processes, reconciliations, and intercompany accounting.
• Working knowledge of IFRS, local GAAP, and internal control requirements
• Experience in financial systems, specifically SAP S/4 HANA or equivalent ERP, including familiarity with general ledger and sub-ledger modules.
• Proficiency with automation tools, robotic process automation (RPA), and data visualization techniques (e.g., Power BI, Tableau)
• Leadership and Operational Capabilities
• Demonstrated leadership experience in driving Record-to-Report process improvements and managing financial performance within large, cross-functional teams.
• Proven ability to build and lead geographically distributed teams, fostering collaboration across diverse cultures and time zones.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced qualification or certification (e.g., CPA, ACCA, CMA) highly preferred.
• Working knowledge of accounting principles (IFRS/Local GAAP) and internal control standards.
• Understanding of Agile ways of working and how to effectively operate within this environment.
• Exposure to diverse working cultures, including experience collaborating with or within Japanese organisations.
• Expertise in process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma certification, or equivalent).
• IA knowledge (RPA, process mining, ML) a strong plus for driving R2R efficiency.
• Prior work experience in a GBS or shared services environment, with specific exposure to R2R optimization.
• Advanced expertise in financial analysis, variance analysis, and reporting tools.
• Experience within a regulatory-intensive industry, such as pharmaceuticals or similar sectors is a plus.

Category Global Financial Solutions

Astellas is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.

EOE including Disability/Protected Veterans