Delivery Leader - AI & Digital Transformation

Summary:This role leads delivery of Pharma and Clinical transformation programs in regulated environments, with responsibility for portfolio governance, stakeholder management, and execution of AI and digital initiatives. The person will coordinate cross-functional teams, manage risks and dependencies, and ensure programs are delivered on time, within compliance, and aligned to business goals. Job Locations: - Noida, Bangalore, Pharma & Clinical Domain DeliveryManage delivery of programs within regulated GxP environmentsOversee transformation programs across Clinical Data Management and safety systemsCollaborate with Regulatory, Quality, Medical Affairs, and Clinical Operations stakeholders to align delivery outcomes with business-critical compliance requirementsMulti-Program Portfolio GovernanceOwn and govern a portfolio of concurrent programs spanning Pharma, Clinical, and R&D domains, ensuring delivery alignment to strategic objectivesEstablish and chair Program Steering Committees, managing executive-level reporting, escalations, and governance cadencesDefine and enforce delivery standards, stage gates, and KPIs across all programs in the portfolioManage inter-program dependencies, risk registers, and resolution of cross-program blockers AI & Digital Transformation LeadershipLead end-to-end delivery of AI-powered transformation programs including GenAI, ML model deployment, intelligent automation, and advanced analytics platformsPartner with AI Architects, Data Scientists, and Product teams to translate AI strategy into delivery roadmaps and executable plansOversee deployment of AI use cases across Clinical Trial Operations, Drug Discovery, Regulatory Affairs, Pharmacovigilance, and R&D pipelinesChampion a culture of innovation, experimentation, and responsible AI within delivery teams Stakeholder & Executive EngagementAct as the primary point of contact for C-suite and senior stakeholder communitiesBuild and sustain trusted relationships with business sponsors, technology partners, and regulatory bodiesCommunicate program status, risks, financials, and strategic recommendations with clarity and confidenceLead change management and business readiness activities to drive adoption of transformed capabilities Team Leadership & Delivery ExcellenceLead, mentor, and develop high-performing delivery teams across onshore, offshore, and hybrid modelsEstablish agile, scaled agile (SAFe), and hybrid delivery frameworks appropriate to the program contextDrive continuous improvement through lessons learned, retrospectives, and delivery maturity assessments

Experience12+ years of progressive delivery management experience, with at least 5 years managing multi-program portfolios of significant scale and complexityDemonstrable experience delivering AI, machine learning, or intelligent automation programs in a commercial settingDeep expertise in Pharmaceutical, Clinical Research, or R&D environments with strong understanding of drug development lifecycleProven ability to deliver in regulated environmentsTrack record of delivering end-to-end digital transformation programs from strategy through to adoptionTechnical SkillsHands-on understanding of GenAI, ML pipelines, RAG architectures, NLP, computer vision, and AI governance frameworks: AI & AnalyticsData governance, MDM, API-led integration, data lake/warehouse architectures, real-world data (RWD): Data & IntegrationVeeva Vault, Oracle Clinical, Argus Safety Clinical SystemsJira, Confluence, MS Project, Azure DevOps, ServiceNowSoft Skills & Leadership AttributesExceptional stakeholder management and executive communication skillsStrong strategic thinking and the ability to translate vision into executable delivery plansHigh emotional intelligence, resilience under pressure, and comfort with ambiguityCollaborative leadership style with the ability to influence without authorityStrong commercial acumen with a benefit-realization mindsetPreferred QualificationsPMP, PgMP, or MSP certificationSAFe Program Consultant (SPC), Agile Coach, or equivalent agile certificationMBA or advanced degree in Life Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering, or BusinessExperience working with CROs, CDMOs, regulatory agencies, or global pharma partnersSix Sigma, PRINCE2, or ITIL certification desirable