Senior Director – Life Sciences (Pharmacovigilance, FSP & AI Solutions)
About Cognizant
Cognizant is a leading professional services company, transforming clients’ business, operating and technology models for the digital era. Our unique industry-based, consultative approach helps clients envision, build and run more innovative and efficient businesses. In Life Sciences, we partner with global pharmaceutical and biotech organisations to deliver solutions that improve patient safety, accelerate innovation, and ensure compliance.
Role Overview
The Senior Delivery Director will lead large-scale Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) engagements within the Life Sciences domain, with a primary focus on MedTech , RCM, Complaints Management, Call center operations, and AI-driven solutions. This role combines delivery excellence with solutioning, new business development, strategic stakeholder management, and strong people leadership to ensure compliance, operational efficiency, and innovation for global pharmaceutical and biotech clients.
Key Responsibilities
- Delivery Leadership & Governance
- Oversee end-to-end delivery of Medtech domain services, including RCM, Complaints Management, Call center operations.
- Ensure compliance with global regulations (FDA, EMA, ICH) and GxP standards.
- Implement governance frameworks for performance tracking, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement.
- Solutioning & Innovation
- Design and implement customised FSP models for services.
- Drive AI-enabled automation and advanced analytics to optimise workflows and reduce turnaround times.
- Collaborate with internal teams to develop innovative solutions that enhance scalability and compliance.
- New Business Development
- Partner with sales and account teams to identify growth opportunities in outsourcing and related BPO services.
- Lead solution presentations, RFP responses, and pricing strategies.
- Build compelling business cases showcasing value through cost optimisation and technology adoption.
- Stakeholder Management
- Act as the primary point of contact for senior client stakeholders, ensuring alignment on strategy and objectives.
- Foster long-term relationships through proactive communication, governance reviews, and value delivery.
- Influence decision-making at executive levels to secure buy-in for transformation initiatives.
- People & Team Management
- Build, lead, and inspire high-performing global delivery teams across multiple geographies.
- Drive workforce planning, talent acquisition, and succession planning for critical roles.
- Promote a culture of inclusion, engagement, and continuous learning.
- Mentor and coach team members to develop leadership capabilities and technical expertise.
- Ensure employee well-being and retention through proactive engagement and career development programmes.
Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, or related field.
- Experience:
- 22+ years in Life Sciences outsourcing, with at least 8 years in senior delivery leadership roles.
- Proven expertise in Medtech operations and optimization.
- Skills:
- Strong solutioning and commercial acumen.
- Excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
- Deep understanding of processes, regulatory operations, and compliance frameworks.
- Demonstrated ability to lead large, diverse teams and manage global operations.
Preferred Attributes
- Experience in scaling global delivery centres for Life Sciences clients.
- Familiarity with AI platforms, automation tools, and data analytics in
- Ability to drive transformation and influence senior stakeholders.
Key Competencies
- Strategic Thinking
- Client Relationship Management
- Operational Excellence
- Innovation & Technology Adoption
- Leadership & Talent Development
KPIs & Success Metrics
- PV compliance rate and audit readiness
- Operational efficiency and cost optimisation
- Revenue growth and account expansion
- Employee engagement and retention
- Client satisfaction and NPS scores
