Senior Director, Strategic Operational Technology
Lonza is a global leader in life sciences, where talented people collaborate to devise ideas that help businesses improve lives. We empower our team to own their careers, fostering an environment where innovation thrives and meaningful work makes a difference.
About the role
The Senior Director of Operational Technology (OT) is a pivotal leadership role requiring strategic acumen and deep technical expertise to drive transformative initiatives across the Business Unit's (BU) operational technology landscape. This position demands a senior leader to define and execute an OT strategy aligned with BU and platform priorities, leveraging emerging technologies—including AI—to enhance efficiency and innovation. The Senior Director will oversee complex OT programs end-to-end while leading and developing the Bioscience OT team. Strong financial acumen is essential, including ownership of technology budgets, cost analysis, and ROI evaluation for major initiatives. Success depends on cross-functional collaboration with IT, Operations, and Global Centers of Excellence to deliver fit-for-purpose solutions achieving operational excellence. The ability to operate effectively within a matrix environment—aligning diverse stakeholders through clear communication, negotiation, and strategic focus—is critical for enterprise-aligned transformation.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the OT strategic roadmap aligned to BU vision, enterprise goals, and regulatory requirements.
- Provide thought leadership on OT best practices, emerging technologies, and AI adoption to drive efficiency and business outcomes.
- Define and implement a robust OT governance framework, including policies, standards, risk management, and compliance for biotech operations.
- Lead and oversee complex OT transformation programs, ensuring strong program governance, stakeholder engagement, and on-time delivery.
- Drive process improvement, technology implementation, and organizational change across site, BU, and global initiatives.
- Manage technology budgets, resources, and performance metrics, including forecasting, ROI evaluation, and prioritization of high-impact initiatives.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing IT/OT organization, acting as a trusted advisor to senior leadership.
Requirements
- 15+ years of experience in FDA-regulated, GMP environments, preferably within Pharma/Biopharma manufacturing.
- Bachelor’s degree in IT/OT or related field, with strong preference for Biopharma IT focus.
- Deep technical expertise in OT systems, manufacturing technologies, and emerging OT trends.
- Proven leader of large-scale digital and OT transformation initiatives in regulated environments.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and the technologies that enable them.
- Exceptional communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into business outcomes and influence senior stakeholders.
- Visionary people leader with a strong track record of building, developing, and inspiring high-performing OT teams, including practical experience leveraging AI.
At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and the environment. Our success is measured not only by achievements but by how ethically we achieve them. We offer the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems in life sciences, with the satisfaction of making a meaningful difference in lives worldwide.