“Head of Clinical Data Engineering & Programming

Thermo Fisher Scientific

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This executive leadership role provides enterprise-level accountability across Statistical Programming and Clinical Data Programming, integrating deep technical expertise with strategic, operational, and talent leadership. The position is responsible for shaping a scalable, future-ready programming organization that consistently delivers high-quality study outcomes, enables regulatory confidence, advances standardization and automation, and strengthens the organization’s strategic differentiation.

Requirements

Advanced degree or equivalent experience in statistics, biostatistics, computer science, mathematics, life sciences, or a related discipline
Extensive leadership experience across statistical programming and clinical data programming within pharma, biotech, or CRO environments
Demonstrated success leading global, matrixed, and high-performing technical organizations
Strong command of clinical trial delivery, regulatory expectations, and applicable industry standards
Proven ability to integrate strategic leadership with deep technical credibility and operational judgment
Strategic enterprise thinker with strong execution discipline and operational rigor
Hands-on executive leader with the judgment to engage deeply where complexity or risk requires
Influential communicator with executive presence and the ability to align senior stakeholders
Transformational leader who can modernize operating models and accelerate innovation
Strong commitment to quality, compliance, talent stewardship, and customer impact

Responsibilities

Set and lead the end-to-end programming strategy across clinical studies, programs, and portfolios
Provide executive oversight for the development and delivery of programming outputs, datasets, listings, tables, figures, and study-level deliverables
Establish a high-performance environment that ensures consistency, quality, compliance, and inspection readiness across programming activities
Serve as the senior technical authority for complex programming challenges, standards, and delivery risk resolution
Shape strong cross-functional partnership with Biostatistics, Clinical Data Management, Medical Writing, Regulatory, and study leadership
Champion standardization, automation, and modern technology adoption to improve delivery effectiveness and scalability
Provide governance and strategic oversight of external partners, CRO relationships, and flexible delivery models
Build and lead a high-performing, future-ready programming organization with strong succession and capability depth
Define organizational design, capability strategy, and resource planning to support business growth and delivery resilience
Set clear strategic priorities, performance expectations, and governance mechanisms to drive operational excellence
Develop leadership bench strength through active coaching, mentoring, and sponsorship of technical and business talent
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation across global, matrixed, and cross-functional teams
Set the strategic direction for programming standards, validation frameworks, and reusable delivery assets
Ensure sustained regulatory submission readiness and alignment with applicable industry and customer standards
Strengthen data integrity, traceability, audit readiness, and documentation rigor across the programming lifecycle
Maintain technical relevance across SAS, R, Python, and emerging clinical data technologies to guide strategic decisions and complex problem-solving
Advance simplification, productivity, and automation strategies that improve quality, speed, and scalability
Serve as a senior partner to clinical operations, biostatistics, data management, regulatory, quality, and technology stakeholders
Represent programming leadership in governance forums, strategic planning, and executive decision-making discussions
Align programming investment and execution priorities with portfolio needs, delivery commitments, and business objectives
Engage credibly with customers, sponsors, and executive stakeholders to strengthen trust, transparency, and strategic partnership
Identify and advance strategic opportunities to modernize programming through automation, AI, and digital enablement
Translate enterprise priorities into scalable programming strategies that enhance value, speed, quality, and differentiation
Balance technical excellence with commercial discipline, resource optimization, and delivery efficiency
Strengthen organizational differentiation by building capabilities valued by customers, sponsors, and internal stakeholders
Use data, performance metrics, and market insight to guide investment decisions, innovation priorities, and operating model evolution