Associate Director, IT Strategic Programs

Our IT team operates as a business partner proposing ideas and innovative solutions that enable new organizational capabilities. We collaborate internationally to deliver the services and solutions that help everyone to be more productive and enable innovation. As Technical Architect you will lead a technically adept innovation squad to drive accelerated prototyping and innovation within our R&D IT function. Reporting to the Director, Strategic Programs in the Enablement and User Advocacy (EUA) Value team within our Company Research Laboratories IT, this position will be responsible for problem discovery and rapid development and validation of digital solutions using AI, Generative AI, and modern hyper-automation technologies to accelerate drug discovery, development, and R&D operations. The successful candidate will also focus on driving strategic programs for the enterprise and enabling our Value Teams while bringing new capabilities to Research Laboratories IT by partnering with business and IT leaders across our Company Research Laboratories. Primary Tasks: Develop a good understanding of our company's biopharmaceutical R&D business processes, systems, and data Collaborate with R&D business users, SMEs, and the IT product teams to identify high-impact opportunities where AI/GenAI and Hyper automation can accelerate R&D timelines and improve data-driven decision-making Collaborate with cross-functional value teams, including business technology partners, product managers, data scientists, and software engineers, to understand requirements Spearhead rapid ideation, design, and development of digital solution prototypes that address critical challenges. Be a role model by creating a culture of curiosity, learning, building, and experimentation Lead a multidisciplinary squad of AI/ML engineers, software developers, data scientists, data engineers, and automation experts to deliver scalable prototypes aligned with R&D priorities Continuously evaluate emerging AI, GenAI, and hyper-automation platforms relevant to biopharma R&D (e.g., NLP for scientific literature mining, AI for molecular design, robotic process automation for lab workflows) Implement agile methodologies tailored to R&D environments to ensure rapid iteration, validation, and refinement of prototypes Ensure all prototyping activities comply with industry regulations (e.g., FDA, EMA), data privacy standards, and internal governance policies Partner closely with R&D leadership, IT governance, and external collaborators to align innovation efforts with strategic goals and ensure smooth transition of prototypes into production Define KPIs to assess prototype impact on R&D functions' efficiency, data quality, and innovation velocity Drive execution against implementation plans while minimizing disruptions to normal business operations Collaborate with and influence business and IT leads to prioritize and coordinate activities across functional areas, and proactively manage risks and issues Ensure optimal vendor performance inclusive of delivery, risk and issue management, and product development to ensure delivery of expected value realization Ensure proper resourcing to provide optimum support for activities and changing priorities Education Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, or any Technology Stream, or equivalent relevant experience Required Qualifications and Skills 10+ years prior experience in Enterprise, Business, Information, Systems & Application or Solution Architecture Proven experience leading innovation or rapid prototyping teams within Biopharmaceutical R&D IT or related scientific research environments Strong expertise in AI/ML, Generative AI (e.g., GPT models for scientific text generation), and hyper-automation technologies applied to life sciences Familiarity with biopharma R&D processes, including drug discovery, clinical trials, and regulatory requirements Technical proficiency in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), data engineering, and software development best practices Experience with agile frameworks and lean innovation methodologies in regulated environments Proven experience successfully delivering complex projects in a fast-paced environment Strong understanding of project management methodologies, tools, and techniques, including Agile Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with global cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and external vendors Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a pragmatic approach to addressing challenges Solid organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously under minimal supervision 10+ years prior experience in Enterprise, Business, Information, Systems & Application or Solution Architecture 5+ years prior experience in a health authority regulated environment Proven experience successfully delivering complex projects in a fast-paced environment Strong understanding of project management methodologies, tools, and techniques, including Agile Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with global cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and external vendors Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a pragmatic approach to addressing challenges Solid organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously under minimal supervision Preferred Qualifications and Skills Strong problem-solvers who are entrepreneurial, agile, and adaptable, with a strong growth-mindset Able to move fast, oriented towards running experiments, thrive in ambiguity and uncertainty, and have a strong 'nose' for opportunity Previous experience of running a digital innovation squad