IT Director

IT Director level Strategy & Digital Transformation Lead (Pharmaceuticals)

Our client is seeking a visionary IT Strategist to join their senior leadership team during a period of rapid global expansion. As they scale through significant acquisitions, you will be the architect of their future-ready technology landscape, ensuring the IT infrastructure is not just a support function, but a competitive advantage. You will be an innovative leader capable of engaging and inspiring our Board on the strategic direction of IT. You will lead the transformation of our digital core-anchored by Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central-to ensure scalability, operational excellence, and uncompromising compliance.

Core Responsibilities

• Strategic Board Leadership: Act as a thought partner to the Board, translating complex technical requirements into business-aligned roadmaps that support rapid growth and post-merger integration.
• Compliance & Quality Excellence: Ensure all IT systems and data processes strictly adhere to MHRA standards. You will oversee the digital side of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and ensure "inspection readiness" across all platforms.
• Advanced Forecasting: Implement demand planning models to manage inventory, reduce waste through FEFO (First-Expiry-First-Out) logic, and address potential drug shortages.
• Cyber Resilience & Data Protection: Own the cybersecurity strategy, implementing "secure-by-design" principles and zero-trust frameworks to protect sensitive R&D and company data. Ensure global compliance with GDPR and other data privacy regulations.
• Acquisition Integration: Lead the IT workstream for new acquisitions, rapidly assessing, securing, and migrating legacy systems into our scalable corporate architecture.
• Innovation: Stay "ahead of the curve" by identifying emerging technologies (e.g., AI/ML in drug development) that can drive efficiency and maintain our market-leading position.

Candidate Profile

• Proven Pharmaceutical Experience: Deep knowledge of IT strategy specifically within a regulated pharmaceutical or Life Sciences environment.
• Leadership Capabilities: Extensive experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and influencing C-suite stakeholders.
• Regulatory Expert: Practical understanding of GxP (Good Practice) and MHRA requirements for computerised systems.
• Scale-up Mindset: A track record of success in high-growth environments, particularly managing the IT complexities of mergers and acquisitions.
• Certified Professional: Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or CRISC are highly desirable.
• Data protection experience: Ideally having workedinData Protection, potentially as Data Protection Officer or Manager.
• Technology Expertise: Expert-level understanding of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and the broader Microsoft ecosystem (Power BI, Azure).

This is a high-impact role, leading and shaping the digital backbone of a company at the forefront of healthcare innovation. We offer a competitive executive package, c£100K+ and excellent performance bonuses and comprehensive benefits.