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Senior Director, IT Business Partners, R&D

South San Francisco, California, United States

About Us 

Kardigan is a heart health company working to make cardiovascular disease preventable, curable and no longer the leading cause of death in the world. It is our mission to develop multiple targeted treatments in parallel that bring people with cardiovascular diseases to the cures they deserve. 

At Kardigan, we are motivated by our values which guide how we work, interact, and achieve our goals. Driven by patients and their families, we are deeply committed to improving the lives of patients and prioritizing their needs above all else. We believe in being authentic—leading with truth to bring out the best in others by creating an environment where every person knows they will be fully accepted. With an eagerness to learn, we encourage the highest levels of curiosity and are open to changing our minds. We are committed to winning as a team with urgency, excellence, and intention, and support each other no matter what role we play or where we sit. Lastly, we strive to enable the impossible because patients are counting on us. We are not afraid to take risks to unlock innovation and advance scientific discoveries.   

These values are the foundation of our work, empowering us to make a real difference, every day.  

 

Position Title: Senior Director, IT Business Partners, R&D 

Department: Information Technology 

Reports To: VP, Information Technology 

 

Job Overview 

Kardigan is seeking an experienced and visionary Senior Director, IT Business Partners, to align IT strategies with the dynamic needs of our Research & Development (R&D), Commercial organizations, and Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC). In this critical role, you will establish and lead a robust IT Business Partner framework tailored to the biopharmaceutical environment overseeing all functional areas. This role requires exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and deep knowledge of IT systems that support regulated environments, R&D, manufacturing, and commercial operations. 

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

  • IT Partnership Leadership: Serve as the primary IT liaison for R&D, CMC, and Commercial functions, understanding their unique needs and driving technology solutions that enhance operational efficiency and innovation. 
  • Validated Systems Oversight: Ensure IT systems supporting critical functions (e.g., Quality, Clinical, Regulatory, laboratory systems, manufacturing execution systems, and commercial platforms) comply with regulatory requirements such as GxP, HIPAA, and data privacy, supporting the integrity and security of biopharmaceutical processes. 
  • Strategic Alignment: Collaborate with functional leaders to define and prioritize IT initiatives that align with business goals, balancing short-term operational needs with long-term strategic objectives. 
  • Digital Transformation: Drive digital innovation and transformation across the organization, leveraging emerging technologies to enhance R&D productivity, optimize manufacturing processes, and support global commercialization efforts. 
  • System Integration: Oversee the integration of IT systems across CMC, R&D, and Commercial operations, ensuring seamless data flow and interoperability to support regulatory compliance and decision-making. 
  • Compliance and Risk Management: Partner with Quality and Regulatory teams to ensure IT systems meet biopharma-specific compliance standards and are audit-ready. Manage risk assessments and implement safeguards to protect sensitive data and intellectual property. 
  • Team Leadership: Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing IT Business Partner team, fostering collaboration and ensuring effective support for all functional areas. 
  • Project Management: Lead key IT projects, including system implementations and upgrades, ensuring delivery within scope, budget, and timelines while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements. 
  • Stakeholder Collaboration: Develop strong relationships with senior leaders and stakeholders, providing strategic insights and recommendations that drive business performance. 
  • Vendor Management: Oversee vendor relationships and contracts for systems supporting R&D, CMC, and Commercial functions, ensuring cost efficiency and alignment with organizational needs. 

 

Qualifications and Preferred Skills 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field; advanced degree preferred. 
  • 12+ years of progressive IT experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role partnering with business functions in a regulated environment. 
  • Demonstrated success in aligning IT strategies with business objectives in R&D, CMC,  and Commercial operations. 
  • Strong knowledge of validated systems, enterprise applications, and digital transformation strategies relevant to the biopharmaceutical industry. 
  • Experience in regulated environments, including GxP, HIPAA, GDPR/CCPA and data integrity standards. 
  • Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence and build consensus at all organizational levels. 
  • Proven expertise in leading cross-functional IT initiatives and managing large-scale projects. 
  • Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical skills. 
  • Experience in recruiting, mentoring, and building high-performing teams. 

 

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