Executive Director, IT Strategy and Operations

Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., is a global pharmaceutical company based in Japan with operations in the U.S. (Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.), focused on addressing patient needs in oncology, urology, women's health, rare diseases, cell & gene therapies and CNS. With several marketed products and a diverse pipeline of early- to late-stage investigational assets, we aim to accelerate discovery, research, and development to bring novel therapies to patients sooner. For more information on SMPA, visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn.
Job Overview:

The Executive Director, IT Strategy & Operations is a senior IT leadership position responsible for translating SMPA's technology strategy into coordinated priorities, investments, operating plans, and measurable business outcomes.

Reporting directly to the Vice President, Head of Data & Information Technology, this executive serves as the principal strategy and execution partner under the direction of the VP of IT and leads the connective operating functions that enable IT to perform as one integrated enterprise partner.

The role will establish and lead disciplined operating practices across IT strategy execution, portfolio governance, business analysis, project and program delivery, IT financial planning, IT procurement coordination, and vendor performance oversight, in partnership with functional IT leaders, Finance, Procurement, and the VP of IT. The role will ensure that business demand, technology investment, resource capacity, delivery execution, and value realization are aligned to SMPA's enterprise priorities and Boost 2028 commitments.

This is a leadership role with clearly delegated authority to strengthen accountability, resolve cross-functional barriers, improve decision quality, and increase the organization’s capacity to execute.
Essential Functions Required for Job

Strategy, Planning and Operating Model

- Translate SMPA’s enterprise priorities into a technology strategy, multi-year roadmap, annual operating plan, and prioritized investment agenda with clear business outcomes, ownership, funding, and success measures.

- Advise the VP of IT on strategic priorities, organizational design, investment tradeoffs, and execution risks while strengthening decision rights, governance, cross-functional processes, and accountability.

- Serve as the VP of IT’s designated delegate for defined forums, decisions, and operating cadences when the VP is unavailable or explicitly delegates authority.

Portfolio Governance and Delivery

- Lead the IT PMO and portfolio management discipline, providing an integrated view of priorities, investments, milestones, financial performance, resources, risks, and dependencies.

- Lead and manage demand intake and prioritization to ensure business needs are clearly defined, solution options are evaluated, and resources are focused on the initiatives with the greatest enterprise value.

- Strengthen delivery discipline & rigor, stabilize at-risk initiatives, and identify, escalate, and help resolve cross-functional barriers to accelerate execution and value realization.

IT Financial Management, Procurement and Vendor Governance

- Support IT budgeting, forecasting, investment governance, cost transparency, procurement, and strategic sourcing in partnership with Finance and functional IT leaders.

- Optimize technology spend, contracts, renewals, vendor performance, and total cost of ownership while strengthening commercial discipline and internal accountability.

Executive Reporting and Performance Management

- Deliver decision-ready portfolio, financial, risk, and performance insights to the VP of IT, leadership team, and business stakeholders.

- Establish performance measures that connect technology investments, process improvements, and delivery results to measurable business outcomes, financial stewardship, and stakeholder confidence.

Organizational Leadership and Enterprise Transformation

- Lead and develop a multidisciplin