IT Strategist

IT 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 worked inData 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.