Associate Director Systems Validation & Data Management

Working with Us
Challenging. Meaningful. Life-changing. Those aren’t words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy, this is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it. You’ll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high-achieving teams rich in diversity. Take your career farther than you thought possible.

Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives. Read more: careers.bms.com/working-with-us.

Position: Associate Director Systems Validation & Data ManagementLocation: Hyderabad, India

At Bristol Myers Squibb, we are inspired by a single vision – transforming patients’ lives through science. In oncology, hematology, immunology and cardiovascular disease – and one of the most diverse and promising pipelines in the industry – each of our passionate colleagues contribute to innovations that drive meaningful change. We bring a human touch to every treatment we pioneer. Join us and make a difference.     

Position Summary

The Systems Validation and Data Management Leader is responsible for overseeing and leading a team dedicated to ensuring system validation initiatives are executed efficiently and effectively in addition to managing data governance and data quality. This role, based in Hyderabad India, requires strong leadership, people management, and vendor management skills to foster collaboration and drive continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate will manage the team’s performance, balance resource demand, ensure alignment with organizational goals, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, all while promoting best practices in system validation and data governance processes. This position will also liaise directly with the US Functional Head of Computer System Validation and the Head of Digital Strategy & Governance to ensure alignment across all initiatives.

At BMS, digital innovation and Information Technology are central to our vision of transforming patients’ lives through science. To accelerate our ability to serve patients around the world, we must unleash the power of technology.  We are committed to being at the forefront of transforming the way medicine is made and delivered by harnessing the power of computer and data science, artificial intelligence, and other technologies to promote scientific discovery, faster decision making, and enhanced patient care. 

If you want an exciting and rewarding career that is meaningful, consider joining our diverse team!

Key Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership and manage a team responsible for computer system validation, data governance, data management, and data quality across the organization.
• Oversee and coordinate resource activities related to computer system validation ensuring technology systems are designed and fit for their intended use in accordance with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve data management and quality assurance processes.
• Liaise with the Functional Lead of Computer System Validation and the Head of Digital Strategy & Governance to ensure that initiatives are aligned across departments and that best practices are consistently followed.
• Foster strong relationships with cross-functional teams, vendors, and stakeholders to ensure smooth execution of data governance strategies.
• Ensure the team’s alignment with organizational objectives by setting performance metrics and providing continuous feedback and coaching.
• Monitor vendor performance, including resources assigned by the vendor, ensuring service level agreements (SLAs) are met and any issues are addressed in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to define and implement data governance and quality strategies that support business needs.
• Contribute to the development and execution of training programs for staff and stakeholders.
• Prepare and present regular reports on data governance, quality, and validation initiatives to leadership, including progress updates, risks, and areas for improvement.
• People and Vendor Management Skills:
• Proven ability to manage, lead, and motivate teams of varying sizes, ensuring team cohesion and high performance.
• Experience in managing vendors and third-party relationships, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and performance standards.
• Strong communication skills to manage both internal and external stakeholder expectations.
• Ability to foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Experience in managing cross-functional teams and projects, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Demonstrated experience in managing team budgets and resource allocation including Standard Leader Work.

Qualifications & Experience

• B.E./B.Tech. or equivalent in computer science, data science, business administration, or related field (Master’s preferred)
• 7+ years of experience in computer system validation in the life sciences with at least 4 years in a leadership role.
• Strong understanding of data governance frameworks, data quality standards, and regulatory requirements (e.g.,21 CFR Part 210, 211, 58, 312, 50, 56).
• Experience with Computer System Validation (CSV) and familiarity with industry standards (21 CFR Part 11. Candidate must have a strong understanding of 21 CFR Part 11, EU Annex 11, Data Integrity principles, GAMP and Agile methodologies.  Additionally, good understanding of Computer Software Assurance principles desired
• Certification in data governance (e.g., DGSA, CDMP) or project management (e.g., PMP) preferred but not required
• Proven track record in people management, including team development, coaching, and performance management.
• Experience managing vendor contracts and relationships.
• Knowledge of data management tools, systems, and platforms (e.g., database systems, data quality tools, reporting platforms).
• Strong project management skills, with experience overseeing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Fluent in English, with proven professional working proficiency in English for reading, writing and speaking, with the ability to present complex ideas to senior leadership.
• Understanding of quality risk-management concepts (ICH Q9) preferred
• Proven experience in the interpretation and understanding of GxPs for the controlled management of electronic records and signatures
• Familiarity with the drug development process from discovery through to regulatory filing and approval of drug applications as well as commercial manufacturing processes
• Experience with driving validation strategies across across the end-to-end product lifecycle as well as experience with widely used IT Enterprise platforms (SAP, Veeva, ServiceNOW etc.)
• General knowledge of IT applications, IT infrastructure, architecture of computer systems including SaaS, IaaS as well as networks, operating systems, databases, and software tools
• Candidate must have strong knowledge of IT testing practices and methodologies in the pharmaceutical GxP space-and good working knowledge of tools like ALM and Valgensis
• Ability to make decisions that impact own work and other groups/teams and works with minimal supervision
• Ability to support various projects, create and work within internal timeliness, solve problems, deliver on commitments and utilize interpersonal skills in a cross-functional team
• Demonstrates openness to learning and developing. Takes a responsibility for their own and team’s development and growth
• Demonstrates an understanding of factors driving team performance and how they contribute to the team's overall success
• Strong sense of ethics, diplomacy and discretion
• Commitment to Quality

Our company is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request an accommodation prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, or any part of the recruitment process direct your inquiries to adastaffingsupport@bms.com. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement

Why You Should Apply

Around the world, we are passionate about making an impact on the lives of patients with serious diseases. Empowered to apply our individual talents and diverse perspectives in an inclusive culture, our shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.

Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives.

If you come across a role that intrigues you but doesn’t perfectly line up with your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway. You could be one step away from work that will transform your life and career.

Uniquely Interesting Work, Life-changing Careers
With a single vision as inspiring as “Transforming patients’ lives through science™ ”, every BMS employee plays an integral role in work that goes far beyond ordinary. Each of us is empowered to apply our individual talents and unique perspectives in an inclusive culture, promoting diversity in clinical trials, while our shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.

On-site Protocol

BMS has a diverse occupancy structure that determines where an employee is required to conduct their work. This structure includes site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design jobs. The occupancy type that you are assigned is determined by the nature and responsibilities of your role:

Site-essential roles require 100% of shifts onsite at your assigned facility. Site-by-design roles may be eligible for a hybrid work model with at least 50% onsite at your assigned facility. For these roles, onsite presence is considered an essential job function and is critical to collaboration, innovation, productivity, and a positive Company culture. For field-based and remote-by-design roles the ability to physically travel to visit customers, patients or business partners and to attend meetings on behalf of BMS as directed is an essential job function.

BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to adastaffingsupport@bms.com. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

BMS cares about your well-being and the well-being of our staff, customers, patients, and communities. As a result, the Company strongly recommends that all employees be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and keep up to date with Covid-19 boosters.

BMS will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.

If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information: https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/

Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.