Chief Technology Officer

The main purpose of the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is to lead the development and delivery of a progressive technology and data strategy that enables operational efficiency, enhances the company's reputation and ensures resilience and compliance. The role oversees IT services and infrastructure, including cybersecurity, together with Software Engineering. The role must drive innovation, build scalable infrastructure, and oversee the full suite of software, ensuring our technology capabilities align perfectly with our business goals. The role must also ensure all technology platforms and processes comply with regulatory requirements, including GCP, GVP, 21 CFR Part 11, and support audit readiness for MHRA, EMA, and FDA inspections.

This role combines strategic leadership with direct technical oversight.

Main duties and responsibilities Technology Strategy and Vision

• Define and articulate the long-term technology vision and roadmap that supports the company's targets and competitive positioning.

• Manage the resource allocation across all software engineering, IT, and infrastructure projects.

• Report monthly to senior leadership on KPIs, risk, and delivery progress.

• Ensure technology enables operational excellence, not operational overhead.

• Embed compliance and validation considerations into all technology decisions, ensuring systems meet regulatory standards and audit requirements.

• Promote and drive executive-level discussions on IT strategy, transformation, and innovation related to the portfolio of services and future state.

Innovation & Risk Management

• Led the digital transformation of the businesses, utilising new technologies to materially improve productivity and reduce operational costs (e.g., by 30%).

• Evaluate and recommend new technologies (e.g. AI/ML, Cloud services, architecture shifts) to enhance operational and product performance, and security.

• Share cross-industry benchmarks and best practices to guide decision-making.

• Be the key technical liaison with strategic partners, including sponsors.

• Oversee vendor selection and management, including contractual compliance and periodic audits of technology partners.

Infrastructure and IT Operations

• Oversee all IT infrastructure, including cloud services, network, security, and data management.

• Establish and sponsor CSV/Data Integrity governance, ensuring roles, SOPs, resourcing, and independent QA oversight are in place; ensure systems are fit for intended use and validation evidence is maintained and inspection-ready

• Evaluate, and if necessary, strengthen cybersecurity aligned with GxP, GDPR, and UK data standards.

• Ensure cybersecurity protocols and practices are robust, protecting company data, IP, and customer information.

• Manage the internal IT Support/Help Desk function, ensuring employees have the tools and support needed for productivity.

• Accountable for disaster recovery and business continuity plans.

Software

• Oversee the selection, validation, and integration of clinical trial systems (EDC, eCOA, CTMS, eTMF, safety systems) into a compliant, scalable ecosystem.

• Ensure all systems meet regulatory requirements (GCP, GVP, GDPR, HIPAA, 21 CFR Part 11) and support audit readiness.

• Evaluate legacy software to determine scalability and long-term security, proposing and implementing risk mitigations as required.

• Drive interoperability and data flow between platforms to enable advanced analytics and AI/ML initiatives.

• Manage vendor relationships and ensure contractual and regulatory compliance for all technology partners.

• Define and be accountable for best practices in engineering, DevOps, code quality, and testing/QA.

• Apply deep knowledge across diverse technologies, including C#, .NET, Angular, Docker, MSSQL, Kubernetes, Serverless architecture, Microservices, Event Driven Architecture, and Automated Testing.

• Work closely with the senior leaders to translate market needs and business requirements into effective, technical solutions.

AI/ML Strategy & Delivery

• Build and execute an AI/ML roadmap that accelerates trial delivery, improves data quality, and enhances decision-making across clinical operations.

• Champion models that improve patient recruitment, site selection, trial forecasting, protocol optimisation, and risk-based monitoring.

• Establish rigorous risk classification, training data governance, model validation/verification, MLOps pipelines that meet regulatory expectations (MHRA, EMA, FDA) without slowing innovation.

• Lead the digital transformation of Richmond through scalable, compliant, cloud-based platforms.

• Modernise legacy systems and integrate data platforms into a seamless ecosystem.

Data Governance and Architecture

• Own the organisation's Data Integrity strategy and operating model (policies, training, monitoring, KPI reporting, and CAPA), aligned to MHRA expectations and risk management principles.

• Establish and enforce policies, processes, and standards to ensure data is accurate, secure, consistent, and usable for the right people.

• Implement global data privacy compliance measures (GDPR, HIPAA, and applicable local regulations) for all systems handling patient and trial data.

• Oversee data governance and architecture to ensure traceability, audit readiness, and end-to-end data integrity.

• Build a robust, secure data platform suitable for real-time analytics, clinical insight generation, and future AI modelling.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.

• Minimum of 10+ years of progressive technical experience, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role, preferably in a changing environment.

• Previously managed IT Operations, Support and Software Engineering teams.

• Qualification or Knowledge of Data Governance and/or Data Architecture - Desirable

• Strong expertise in technology strategy, enterprise architecture, Cloud, AI and IT governance.

Salary: Competitive + Benefits (Private Medical, Private Dental, Pension, 25 days Annual leave plus bank holidays & Many more)

Richmond Pharmacology is a leading Contract Research Organisation (CRO) specialising in early-phase clinical trials for pharmaceutical and biotechnology sponsors. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, we strive to advance medical research and contribute to the development of life-changing therapies.