Head of Digital and IT Services

Verista, Inc.•Fishers, IN

5d•$135,000 - $265,000

About The Position

Verista is seeking a Head of Digital and IT Services to own and grow a core service line serving life sciences clients. The role combines service-line strategy and business development, financial and team leadership, client engagement, and subject-matter-expert project delivery in pharmaceutical and biotechnology environments. The service offerings include Digital Validation, AI, IT Automation, and Cybersecurity. The Head partners with Client Services, Delivery, Sales, Marketing, and executive leadership in Verista’s matrixed organization to support client success and consistent delivery across the regulated IT-OT stack. The position owns the service line’s go-to-market strategy, annual P&L, growth targets, margin and EBITDA, and strategic account expansion. It directly manages a team of Delivery Directors and is expected to contribute to billable client work as a technical subject matter expert, often as project or program leader. The role also supports sales and new engagements through lead generation, scope and estimate definition, technical expertise, and client relationship development. The position requires regular client-site support and air and ground travel, including overnight stays. Work may exceed 40 hours and include weekends; average hours are approximately 45–50 per week. Billable utilization targets are set according to level and portfolio size. The role supervises approximately 6–8 or more direct-reporting Delivery Directors and has cross-functional responsibility to provide direction to employees, OEMs, contractors, or clients as needed. The position requires signing an employment agreement and is eligible for Senior Leadership Incentive programs. Duties may change with or without notice.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a technical STEM discipline.
15+ years of experience in a GMP-regulated environment, including direct experience managing or leading applicable service-line projects in life sciences.
10+ years of professional services and consulting experience.
7+ years of professional-services business development and customer relations experience.
Expert knowledge of FDA regulations, ISPE guidelines, and ISO standards, including GAMP5, Good Documentation Practice in pharmaceutical environments, ASTM-E2500, ISO 14971, ISPE Applied Risk Management for C&Q, ISPE’s science- and risk-based approach for facilities, systems, and equipment, and ICH 8, 9, and 10 risk management and analysis tools.
Holistic understanding of process systems, including workflows, optimization methods, risk management, and project management.
Experience working in a fast-paced, high-growth, results-driven organization.
Project-management experience overseeing numerous projects in excess of $5 million.
Prior supervisory experience managing at least 20 people and at least 3–5 direct reports.
Ability to meet, interact with, and present to customers in a range of roles, including C-level executives, project managers, plant engineers, supervisors, and operators.
Ability to negotiate strategically with clients and employees in high-stress situations involving project and technical issues, funding, change orders, and employee performance.
Strong leadership, practical validation knowledge, and a track record of timely project delivery, project management, cost control, and customer satisfaction.
Ability to provide colleagues with practical, specific guidance on industry guidance and regulatory requirements.
Intermediate-to-expert proficiency with Word, Excel, and Project.
Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
Ability to lead calmly and effectively on stressful, client-services-oriented projects.
Regular client-site support and regular air and ground travel, including overnight hotel stays.
Ability to accommodate significant hours beyond 40 per week and weekend work when business development opportunities or project requirements demand it; average hours are approximately 45–50 per week.
Ability to maintain average utilization on billable work, with targets aligned to role level and gross-margin targets for assigned accounts and projects.
Sign an employment agreement document.

Responsibilities

Define the service-line offerings and ensure adequate Delivery Director subject-matter-expert coverage.
Own and align the service-line go-to-market strategy with Client Services, Delivery, Sales, Marketing, and executive leadership.
Define and manage the annual service-line P&L, including revenue growth targets, margin, and EBITDA.
Co-own annual strategic account management planning with Client Partners and execute plans to expand services in selected accounts.
Directly manage Delivery Directors to support service-line growth and execution.
Perform technical project work as a subject matter expert, commonly as project leader or project/program manager.
Manage and lead day-to-day project activities of assigned staff to meet or exceed customer and company goals.
Maintain billable utilization targets based on role level and portfolio size.
Own solutioning and delivery methodologies, including developing scalable managed-service offerings.
Ensure projects, initiatives, and processes conform to organizational and customer policies and objectives; promote standards and consistency.
Support lead generation for existing customers and projects to which assigned.
Review, assess, and define requirements for contract scope and estimation.
Provide technical depth and support relationship development with Sales and Client Services during sales processes.
Support growth and strategic planning to expand services across existing and new customers.
Provide input on marketing, website, and growth strategies.
Complete performance management plans for direct reports and review plans for employees in the group.
Provide biannual reviews to direct reports and contribute to recommendations for merit increases and yearly bonuses.
Work with HR and leadership on career development and succession planning, and identify and address training gaps.
Provide cross-functional direction to employees, OEMs, contractors, or clients to meet project goals and deadlines.

Benefits

Competitive pay plus performance-based incentive programs.
Company-paid life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA), dependent care assistance (DCARE), and commuter benefits.
Supplemental life, hospital, critical illness, and legal insurance.
Health Savings Account.
401(k) retirement plan with employer matching.
Paid time off with rollover option and holidays.
As-needed sick time.
Tuition reimbursement.
Team social activities.
Employee recognition.
Employee referral program.
Paid parental leave and bereavement.