Associate Director, IT Business Partner – Pharmaceutical Development

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in North Carolina, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Act as the primary IT Business Partner and a trusted technology advisor for Development and R&D departments.

• Establish partnerships with functional leaders and subject matter experts to gain insights into strategies, capabilities, challenges, risks, and priorities.

• Convert business priorities into multi-year technology roadmaps, business cases, demand plans, and sequenced delivery portfolios.

• Oversee demand intake, discovery, requirements definition, solution evaluation, prioritization, implementation, adoption, and value realization for Development technology initiatives.

• Provide expertise in selecting, implementing, enhancing, integrating, and supporting Development applications and data capabilities.

• Collaborate with both business and IT stakeholders to optimize Veeva RIM, Veeva CTMS, ReadCube, clinical data visualization and analytics solutions, Oracle Argus, and related systems.

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of Development processes and data flows across clinical study operations, regulatory submissions, safety and pharmacovigilance, biometrics, non-clinical activities, and medical information or evidence generation.

• Work with Enterprise Architecture, Data and Analytics, Information Security, Infrastructure, Integration, and IT Compliance teams to design scalable, secure, reliable, and supportable solutions.

• Ensure that GxP and other regulated applications comply with validation, data integrity, privacy, security, change control, and records-management requirements.

• Manage system lifecycle activities, including application ownership, release management, vendor upgrades, incident and problem management, access governance, business continuity, disaster recovery, and application retirement.

• Advocate for consistent master data, system interoperability, and integrated data flows across internal platforms, CROs, service providers, and Development partners.

• Enhance access to reliable study information and improve clinical data visualization, reporting, and decision support.

• Lead cross-functional programs and projects, overseeing scope, schedule, budget, resources, risks, dependencies, decisions, communications, and executive-level status reporting.

• Manage strategic technology vendors and managed service providers, focusing on performance, service levels, delivery quality, contracts, and issue escalation.

• Promote user adoption through stakeholder engagement, effective communications, training, process documentation, and change-management initiatives.

• Keep abreast of emerging technologies such as automation, analytics, and responsible AI, recommending opportunities that align with Development priorities and compliance standards.

• Lead and manage MSPs, contractors, vendors, and consultants for project implementation, delivery, and ongoing system support.

• Contribute to IT standards, policies, procedures, governance practices, and continuous improvement efforts.

• Perform additional duties as assigned.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, business, life sciences, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• A minimum of 8–10 years of progressive experience in delivering and managing information technologies and services within a corporate environment, preferably in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or broader life sciences sectors.

• Proven experience as an IT Business Partner, product owner, application leader, program manager, or a similar role supporting Development or R&D business functions.

• In-depth knowledge of business processes and information requirements across various Development and R&D areas.

• Experience in managing, enhancing, integrating, or supporting Veeva RIM and Veeva CTMS or similar regulatory and clinical platforms.

• Familiarity with Oracle Argus or a comparable pharmacovigilance and safety system.

• Knowledge of SAS (LSAF) and A2Ai.

• Understanding of ReadCube or similar scientific literature and reference-management solutions.

• Familiarity with clinical data sources, standards, reporting, and visualization methods used to support study oversight and Development decision-making.

• Experience with regulated GxP computerized systems, including validation, data integrity, audit trails, electronic records and signatures, security, change control, and inspection readiness.

• Proven experience in leading application implementations and lifecycle management in cloud-based, client-server, and web-based environments.

• Experience with system integrations, data flows, vendor-hosted platforms, and external partners such as CROs and managed service providers.

• Strong skills in business analysis, process improvement, solution evaluation, program and project management, resource planning, and vendor management.

• Demonstrated ability to create technology roadmaps, investment proposals, implementation plans, operating models, and measurable outcomes.

• Experience leading contractors and external partners in a matrixed and cross-functional environment.

• Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal, facilitation, and presentation skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities, navigate ambiguity, influence without direct authority, and work effectively as both a leader and a contributing team member.

🏝️ Benefits

• Equal employment opportunities without regard to age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, Veterans status, disability, and/or other protected characteristics.

• Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.