Executive Director, Digital Transformation & Delivery Excellence

MSD•Rahway, NJ

2d•$255,800 - $402,700•Hybrid

About The Position

The Executive Director, Digital Transformation & Delivery Excellence serves as the Chief Information & Digital Officer’s (CIDO) enterprise lead for translating digital strategy into disciplined, multi-divisional execution. The role connects strategic priorities, investment decisions, delivery governance, and value realization across the IT organization, balancing enterprise governance with divisional execution. The Executive Director frames investment and architectural choices, leads CIDO-sponsored transformation initiatives, accelerates cross-divisional delivery and value realization, modernizes IT ways of working, scales next-generation capabilities, and advances workforce modernization. The position also advises the CIDO and IT leadership team, oversees complex enterprise programs, supports adoption of modern digital capabilities, and leads improvement of IT talent, processes, and operating practices.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, information systems, business administration, or a related field.
At least 15 years of progressive technology leadership, IT strategy, and large-scale enterprise transformation experience in a complex, matrixed global enterprise.
Demonstrated success leading global-scale programs across independent business units and federated IT groups without direct hierarchical control.
Verifiable experience in turnaround, recovery, or interim leadership roles rescuing distressed technical programs or organizational initiatives.
Extensive experience advising C-suite executives, partnering with executive committees, and participating in board-level strategy and governance presentations.
Foundational understanding of modern software architecture, public cloud environments (AWS, Azure, or GCP), API-first integration, DevSecOps pipelines, and legacy migration.
Working familiarity with enterprise data governance frameworks, MLOps, and generative or agentic AI deployment patterns.
Strong technology financial management capabilities, including business case development, TCO optimization, vendor negotiations, and capital and operating expenditure governance.
Leadership experience in biopharmaceuticals, life sciences, healthcare, financial services, or another heavily regulated environment.
Familiarity with the biopharmaceutical value chain, including Discovery/R&D, Clinical Development, Manufacturing & Supply, and Commercial/Medical Affairs.
Proven ability to build, mentor, and lead senior directors, technical leaders, and matrixed delivery teams.
Required skills include acquisitions and divestitures, AI implementation planning, biopharmaceuticals, business operations and transformation, business unit integration, change agility, CI/CD, C-level management, computer science, consultative approach, data governance, proposal development, DevSecOps, digital strategy, emotional intelligence, environmental scanning, executive presence, financial management, information systems, MLOps, management consulting, and oncology drug development.

Nice To Haves

MBA, MS in Computer Science or Information Science, or equivalent advanced degree.
Previous experience in top-tier management consulting, enterprise transformation advisory, or technology strategy firms.

Responsibilities

Advise the CIDO and IT leadership team on strategic trade-offs, investment options, and return-on-investment projections to shape the IT portfolio and roadmap.
Translate strategic intent into a multi-year transformation portfolio with value milestones, and track outcomes with Finance and executive sponsors.
Facilitate the IT leadership team’s operating rhythm, cross-functional transparency, portfolio governance, and ongoing operating model optimization.
Partner with the CIDO to support executive communications on transformation progress, value realization metrics, technical debt, and strategic risks.
Direct complex enterprise transformation initiatives requiring sponsorship and delivery focus from the CIDO office.
Act as the CIDO’s escalation authority to resolve cross-divisional friction, resource constraints, and integration roadblocks.
Transform IT delivery organizations from federated, project-based models to agile, value-stream-aligned, AI-centric models measured by operational speed, cyber resilience, and business impact.
Work with IT teams to define, roll out, and support adoption of modern digital capabilities, including advanced data pipelines and practical agentic AI solutions.
Monitor emerging technologies, competitive shifts, regulatory developments, and strategic partnership models to identify enterprise transformation opportunities.
Partner with divisional IT leaders and HR to develop and maintain a talent development plan and carry out workforce modernization and reskilling programs.
Lead and optimize IT processes and ownership structures, partnering with IT functions to reimagine processes such as SDLC and CI/CD.