Director, Innovation and Strategic Solutions

As the Director of Innovation and Strategic Solutions, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our clinical trial management systems (CTMS) and driving innovation within the life sciences industry.  

Business Acumen: 

• Understand the organization’s goals, financial constraints, and competitive landscape. 
• Analyze market trends, customer needs, and industry dynamics, with a specific focus on the life sciences industry. 

Portfolio Strategy and Alignment: 

• Define and execute the strategic direction for the CTMS product portfolio. 
• Ensure alignment with RDS business goals, technology roadmaps, and organizational priorities. 
• Formulate long-term plans aligned with business objectives, including the development of the next-generation CTMS platform to execute clinical trials in 5+ years. 

Product Roadmap and Prioritization: 

• Develop a comprehensive product roadmap considering RDS’s complex ecosystem. 
• Prioritize initiatives based on business impact, resource availability, and market dynamics. 

Stakeholder Engagement: 

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (engineering, data science, operations, etc.). 
• Engage with RDS leadership, business units, internal and external partners. 

Vendor Management and Build-vs-Buy Strategy: 

• Evaluate external solutions (vendor products) against internal development (build) options. 
• Make informed decisions based on cost, scalability, integration, and strategic fit. 
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and service-level agreements. 
• Assess vendor stability and support capabilities. 

Risk Assessment and Mitigation: 

• Identify risks related to technology choices, dependencies, and market shifts.
• Implement risk mitigation strategies. 

Performance Metrics and KPIs: 

• Define measurable KPIs for product success. 
• Regularly assess performance against targets. 

Change Management and Adoption: 

• Drive adoption of new tools and technologies across RDS. 
• Communicate the rationale behind decisions to stakeholders. 

Educational Background: 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree: Typically in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Life Sciences, Business, or Engineering. 

Experience: 

• Product Management Experience: Several years of experience in product management, preferably within the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry. 
• Complex Ecosystem Exposure: Experience managing complex product portfolios with interdependencies. 
• Strong understanding of CTMS products from both a technology and business perspective. 
• Understanding of ICH E6 (R3) guidelines and their impact on clinical trials, including the emphasis on flexibility, risk-based quality management, and the integration of advanced data governance. 

Skills and Competencies: 

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to formulate long-term plans, assess market dynamics, and align product strategies with business goals. 
• Market Research and Analysis: Proficiency in gathering insights, understanding customer needs, and evaluating competitive landscapes.