Senior Director, Head of R&D Technology
Description
Our client, a Top 30 global pharmaceutical company, has retained us to identify a Senior Director, Head of R&D Technology to lead its global R&D technology organization.
This is a highly visible leadership role with broad ownership across the development lifecycle. The Senior Director will serve as the senior technology partner to R&D leadership, setting the strategy for clinical, regulatory, patient safety and statistical computing platforms while bringing data, analytics and AI into how R&D operates.
The position offers the opportunity to shape the strategy, platforms and team that will support the company’s R&D growth for years to come.
Location
Remote U.S.
Features
ATTRACTIVE FEATURES:
- Strategic ownership – Set the global vision and multi-year roadmap for R&D technology, with real influence over investment and architecture decisions.
- Executive visibility – Partner directly with senior R&D leadership and serve as a key voice in enterprise IT governance.
- Broad scope – Lead technology across clinical, regulatory, medical affairs, patient safety and biostatistics.
- Innovation mandate – Bring advanced analytics, automation and AI into R&D with clear business purpose.
- Room to grow – A new position with meaningful potential to expand in scope and seniority.
- Remote flexibility – U.S.-based remote role with typical travel.
Responsibilities
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Define and lead the global R&D technology strategy and multi-year roadmap in partnership with R&D leadership.
- Own the core R&D application portfolio, including the Veeva Clinical and Regulatory (RIM) suites, safety and medical affairs systems.
- Lead the strategy for validated statistical computing environments supporting biostatistics and statistical programming.
- Drive an integrated R&D architecture and data strategy that enables analytics, automation and AI.
- Oversee major R&D technology programs from business case through validation, deployment and ongoing operations.
- Manage the R&D technology budget and strategic vendor relationships.
- Ensure systems meet GxP, computerized system validation, data integrity, privacy and cybersecurity requirements.
- Build and lead a high-performing global team of functional technology leads.
- Communicate strategy, priorities, risks and results to senior leadership and governance forums.
Qualifications / Requirements
IDEAL BACKGROUND:
- 15+ years of progressive leadership in life sciences R&D technology, including 10+ years leading global R&D IT portfolios and complex regulated programs.
- 8+ years leading clinical and regulatory technology, including hands-on leadership of Veeva Clinical and/or Veeva RIM.
- Deep experience with GxP computerized systems and validation.
- Strong experience with pharmacovigilance and adverse event reporting systems.
- Experience with statistical computing environments strongly preferred.
- Experience delivering R&D analytics, automation or AI capabilities is a plus.
- Proven ability to lead global teams and manage strategic vendors in a matrixed organization.
- Bachelor’s degree required.
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