Executive Director, IT Strategy and Operations

Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., is a global pharmaceutical company based in Japan with operations in the U.S. (Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.), focused on addressing patient needs in oncology, urology, women's health, rare diseases, cell & gene therapies and CNS. With several marketed products and a diverse pipeline of early- to late-stage investigational assets, we aim to accelerate discovery, research, and development to bring novel therapies to patients sooner. For more information on SMPA, visit our website https://www.us.sumitomo-pharma.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Job Overview:

The Executive Director, IT Strategy & Operations is a senior IT leadership position responsible for translating SMPA's technology strategy into coordinated priorities, investments, operating plans, and measurable business outcomes.

Reporting directly to the Vice President, Head of Data & Information Technology, this executive serves as the principal strategy and execution partner under the direction of the VP of IT and leads the connective operating functions that enable IT to perform as one integrated enterprise partner.

The role will establish and lead disciplined operating practices across IT strategy execution, portfolio governance, business analysis, project and program delivery, IT financial planning, IT procurement coordination, and vendor performance oversight, in partnership with functional IT leaders, Finance, Procurement, and the VP of IT. The role will ensure that business demand, technology investment, resource capacity, delivery execution, and value realization are aligned to SMPA's enterprise priorities and Boost 2028 commitments.

This is a leadership role with clearly delegated authority to strengthen accountability, resolve cross-functional barriers, improve decision quality, and increase the organization’s capacity to execute.

Essential Functions Required for Job

Strategy, Planning and Operating Model

• Translate SMPA’s enterprise priorities into a technology strategy, multi-year roadmap, annual operating plan, and prioritized investment agenda with clear business outcomes, ownership, funding, and success measures.
• Advise the VP of IT on strategic priorities, organizational design, investment tradeoffs, and execution risks while strengthening decision rights, governance, cross-functional processes, and accountability.
• Serve as the VP of IT’s designated delegate for defined forums, decisions, and operating cadences when the VP is unavailable or explicitly delegates authority.

Portfolio Governance and Delivery

• Lead the IT PMO and portfolio management discipline, providing an integrated view of priorities, investments, milestones, financial performance, resources, risks, and dependencies.
• Lead and manage demand intake and prioritization to ensure business needs are clearly defined, solution options are evaluated, and resources are focused on the initiatives with the greatest enterprise value.
• Strengthen delivery discipline & rigor, stabilize at-risk initiatives, and identify, escalate, and help resolve cross-functional barriers to accelerate execution and value realization.
   

IT Financial Management, Procurement and Vendor Governance

• Support IT budgeting, forecasting, investment governance, cost transparency, procurement, and strategic sourcing in partnership with Finance and functional IT leaders.
• Optimize technology spend, contracts, renewals, vendor performance, and total cost of ownership while strengthening commercial discipline and internal accountability.
   

Executive Reporting and Performance Management

• Deliver decision-ready portfolio, financial, risk, and performance insights to the VP of IT, leadership team, and business stakeholders.
• Establish performance measures that connect technology investments, process improvements, and delivery results to measurable business outcomes, financial stewardship, and stakeholder confidence.
   

Organizational Leadership and Enterprise Transformation

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary organization spanning strategy, portfolio management, program delivery, IT business operations, IT finance, IT procurement, and vendor management.
• Deploy team capabilities against SMPA’s highest-priority needs while maintaining flexibility to evolve roles, responsibilities, and operating structures as business requirements change.
• Lead cross-functional transformation, process modernization, and operating-model improvements that strengthen organizational performance, adoption, and sustainable business value.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (general & technical):

Strategy And Enterprise Perspective

• Exceptional enterprise and strategic thinking, with the ability to translate business priorities into actionable technology strategies, investment plans, operating models, and measurable outcomes.
• High degree of organizational awareness and systems thinking, with the ability to connect complex interdependencies across business functions, technology teams, investments, vendors, risks, and enterprise priorities.
   

Executive Influence and Operating Model Leadership

• Strong executive presence and influence, with demonstrated ability to advise senior leaders, challenge assumptions constructively, build alignment, and drive decisions across organizational boundaries.
• Proven ability to design and lead enterprise operating models, governance frameworks, decision rights, management cadences, and accountability structures.

Portfolio, Investment and Financial Management

• Advanced portfolio and investment-management capabilities, including prioritization, capacity planning, risk management, financial oversight, dependency management, and value realization.
• Strong financial and business acumen, with the ability to evaluate business cases, budgets, forecasts, vendor proposals, contracts, total cost of ownership, and investment tradeoffs.
   

Transformation And Problem Solving

• Demonstrated transformation and change-leadership capabilities, including organizational redesign, process modernization, capability development, stakeholder engagement, and adoption.
• Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to structure ambiguous business needs, identify root causes, evaluate solution options, and recommend practical courses of action.

Education & Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, information technology, computer science, engineering, finance, or a related field; MBA or comparable advanced degree strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 12 years of progressive leadership experience across technology strategy, enterprise transformation, business operations, consulting, portfolio management, or strategic execution.
• Significant senior leadership experience advising CIOs, CFOs, executive teams, or boards on technology investments, operating-model decisions, organizational priorities, and enterprise transformation.
• Demonstrated success leading enterprise portfolio planning, investment governance, budgeting, forecasting, cost optimization, and performance reporting for complex technology organizations.
• Proven experience designing or leading enterprise operating models, transformation offices, PMOs, governance frameworks, or cross-functional strategic execution capabilities.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and developing leaders across strategy, portfolio management, program delivery, finance, procurement, vendor management, or business operations.
• Track record of leading complex, technology-enabled transformation initiatives and improving delivery performance, financial discipline, organizational accountability, and measurable business outcomes.
• Experience in life sciences, healthcare, financial services, or another highly regulated industry preferred.

Other Requirements (licenses, certifications, specialized training, and physical or mental abilities required): None

Travel Requirements:

Primarily remote role with periodic on-site meetings in office. Must be able to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Mental/Physical Requirements:

Fast-paced environment handling multiple demands is involved. Must be able to exercise appropriate judgment as necessary. Requires a high level of initiative and independence. Excellent written and oral communication skills required. Requires ability to use a personal computer for extended periods of time.

People Management:

This position includes people‑management responsibilities, including day‑to‑day supervision, workload planning, and ensuring team members have the resources and support needed to succeed.

Travel Requirements:

Primarily remote role with periodic on-site meetings in office. Must be able to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Mental/Physical Requirements:

Fast-paced environment handling multiple demands is involved. Must be able to exercise appropriate judgment as necessary. Requires a high level of initiative and independence. Excellent written and oral communication skills required. Requires ability to use a personal computer for extended periods of time.

The base salary range for this role is

Base salary is part of our total rewards package which also includes the opportunity for merit-based salary increases, short incentive plan participation, eligibility for our 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances and leaves provided in line with your work state.  Our robust time-off policy includes flexible paid time off, 11 paid holidays plus additional time off for a shut-down period during the last week of December, 80 hours of paid sick time upon hire and each year thereafter.  Total compensation, including base salary to be offered, will depend on elements unique to each candidate, including candidate experience, skills, education and other factors permitted by law.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Confidential Data: All information (written, verbal, electronic, etc.) that an employee encounters is considered confidential, in accordance with applicable law.

Compliance: Achieve and maintain Compliance with all applicable regulatory, legal and operational rules and procedures, by ensuring that all plans and activities for and on behalf of Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) and affiliates are carried out with the "best" industry practices and the highest ethical standards.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Drug Screening Requirements
Applicants for sales/field, manufacturing, or other designated roles will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug test.

Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.

Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) endeavors to make its application process accessible to all. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact SMPA at [email protected]. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.