Director, IT Business & Program Management in London

Certara is a growing company that provides a dynamic and exciting place to work. Our purpose is to assist in accelerating the development of meaningful medicines that make an impact on our society and the people that need them most. Innovation and creativity are highly valued, and everyone is given the opportunity for training and continuous development. Our portfolio spans the discovery, preclinical, clinical and post-marketing phases of drug development, working with 1,200 commercial companies, 250 academic institutions, and numerous regulatory agencies.

As a Director, IT Business & Program Management with Certara, you are part of a global, fast-paced IT organization with the primary mission to provide capable & resilient world class services to professional services, software, and corporate business functions ensuring our team members have access and ability to perform at the highest level in service of our customers. Driven by innovation and a commitment to excellence, you will lead the IT Program Management Office for cross functional initiatives with measurable business impact.

We are seeking a transformative and strategic leader to join our team as the Director, IT Business & Program Management. This is a greenfield opportunity to build and lead our IT Program Management and key corporate functions from the ground up. You will be responsible for creating the vision, framework, and execution engine for IT, ensuring it acts as a strategic partner to the business. The ideal candidate will be a hands‑on builder with a proven track record of establishing operational excellence, driving complex cross-functional programs, and implementing robust governance across a dynamic technology environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop & Execute IT Initiatives: Define and articulate a comprehensive IT roadmap that aligns with and drives the company's overall business objectives. Translate strategic plans into actionable, results‑oriented initiatives.
• Build & Lead IT Business Operations: Establish and mature business operations functions, implementing best practices while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and customer‑centricity.
• Champion Delivery Excellence with JIRA: Implement and optimize JIRA as the central nervous system for IT work intake, project tracking, and reporting. Champion agile methodologies and best practices to ensure transparency, predictability, and high-quality delivery across all IT initiatives.
• Establish IT Portfolio Management: Create and manage a holistic IT portfolio, ensuring a clear line of sight into all technology investments. Develop a data-driven prioritization framework to align resources with the most critical business priorities and maximize ROI.
• Drive Cross-Functional Program Management: Lead the execution of large-scale, cross-functional strategic programs. Provide senior-level oversight and guidance to ensure successful delivery on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
• Oversee Budget & Financial Operations: In partnership with the CIO, develop and manage the annual IT operating and capital budgets. Implement financial discipline and transparent reporting processes to ensure fiscal responsibility and demonstrate the value of IT investments.
• Lead & Mentor a High-Performing Team: Recruit, develop, and mentor a team of IT professionals. Foster a collaborative and innovative environment that attracts and retains top talent.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or appropriate business experience required for the role.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in program management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role overseeing strategy, operations, or program management.
• Proven, hands‑on experience building and scaling IT functions, particularly in a high-growth or transforming environment.
• Deep expertise in creating and managing an IT portfolio and leading complex, cross-functional programs.
• Advanced proficiency in leveraging JIRA and other PPM tools to drive delivery excellence and operational transparency.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing multi‑million dollar IT budgets.
• Strong background in establishing and managing IT asset and vendor governance frameworks.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate business needs into technical solutions.
• Outstanding leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to influence and build relationships with executives and stakeholders across the business.
• Experience with specific industries, such as SaaS, manufacturing, or retail, is a significant plus.

In addition to tangible impact among your colleagues, the work we do at Certara has a direct impact on transforming and extending the lives of millions of people worldwide through the drug and treatment programs we enable and support. Certara bases all employment-related decisions on merit, taking into consideration qualifications, skills, achievement, and performance. We treat all applicants and employees without regard to personal characteristics such as race, colour, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, nationality, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental condition, genetic information, military service, or other characteristic protected by law.