Executive Director, Statistical Programming (Hybrid)

Job Description

In BARDS (Biostatistics and Research Decision Sciences), a distinguished department within our company’s renowned Research and Development division, quantitative scientists, in partnership with other subject matter experts, apply state-of-the art scientific methodologies and tools to enable the discovery, development, regulatory approval, manufacturing, and marketing of medical drugs and vaccines for the benefit of patients and global human health.

Reporting to the head of Statistical Programming (SP), the Executive Director is accountable for a team of statistical programmers who provide support for late-stage clinical development projects in all non-Oncology therapeutic areas.

This role is a vital member of the Statistical Programming Leadership Team and is a recognized and influential leader, serving as a role model for effective people management. Additionally, the Executive Director establishes the team's strategic and operational objectives and fosters productive collaborations with stakeholders in Biostatistics, Clinical Research, Data Management, Regulatory Affairs, and IT.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Determines the Biostatistics and Research Decision Sciences (BARDS) analysis and reporting programming strategy for late-stage development projects, works in partnership with Statistical and Programming leaders, manages work according to company scorecard, collaborates with stakeholders and interfaces with functional service partners

• Manages managers and builds high-performing teams; recruits and hires staff, conducts performance reviews, implements talent management strategies, develops employees, and advocates for the team at the functional leadership level. Additionally, coaches and mentors staff, actively participates in succession and workforce planning.

• As a member of the Statistical Programming Leadership team, actively engages in shaping the department's vision and strategy, even beyond one's direct area of responsibility; challenges status quo and fosters innovation

• Stays current with regulatory guidance and submission standards

• Manages team’s headcount and budget; engages with vendors to develop and maintain flexible and cost-effective programming resources

• Leads departmental and strategic initiative projects; develops and implements long-term and annual strategic and operating objectives for designated areas of responsibility within Statistical Programming

• Actively participates in external industry initiatives; engages with external SP thought leaders and regulatory leaders in areas of mutual interest, including contributing to, organizing or chairing research sessions at professional meetings

Education Requirement: 

A Master’s degree in statistics, computer science or closely related field is preferred. The position requires at least 10 years of experience in statistical programming, statistics, or closely related activity in a pharmaceutical development environment and at least 5 years of management experience at the Director level. 

Required Skills and Experience: 

• Business domain knowledge expertise including statistical analysis and reporting, pharmaceutical development, compliance, analysis software and advanced programming techniques

• Experience managing or supervising a team of statistical programmers in developing analysis and reporting programming deliverables; experience in recruiting and hiring, performance evaluations, & people development

• Ability to negotiate and work successfully across business domains and cultures; ability to project manage a diverse portfolio of work

• Excellent oral and written communication skills; experience collaborating with statisticians, clinicians, data managers, and regulatory and working in a global environment and communicating with staff in different regions of the world.  Experience working with external vendors for resources and software.

• Ability to function effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, and to make sound, timely business decisions

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Superior knowledge and prior experience in setting strategy around the development of efficient analysis and reporting deliverables

• Ability to drive results and deal with complexity and ambiguity

• Solid experience with reporting processes, regulatory requirements, and software development life cycle

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