Strategic Program Lead, Technology Infrastructure & Operations

Job Description Summary

The Strategic Program Lead, Technology Infrastructure & Operations leads the end to end execution of the most critical Infrastructure & Operations strategic initiatives, translating enterprise and IT strategy into prioritized, measurable programs with clear business and operational impact. As the primary strategic execution partner to the Head of Technology Infrastructure & Operations, the role orchestrates large scale, cross functional transformation while ensuring effective prioritization, operational resilience, and sustainable transition into Business as Usual operations under strong reliability, security, compliance, and financial discipline

Job Description

Strategic Program Lead, Technology Infrastructure & Operations

Sandoz is going through an exciting and transformative period as a global leader and pioneering provider of sustainable Generic and Biosimilar medicines.
This is an exciting time in our history, and by creating a new and ambitious path, it will provide a unique opportunity for us all, both professionally and personally.
The Strategic Program Lead, Technology Infrastructure & Operations leads the end to end execution of the most critical Infrastructure & Operations strategic initiatives, translating enterprise and IT strategy into prioritized, measurable programs with clear business and operational impact. As the primary strategic execution partner to the Head of Technology Infrastructure & Operations, the role orchestrates large scale, cross functional transformation while ensuring effective prioritization, operational resilience, and sustainable transition into Business as Usual operations under strong reliability, security, compliance, and financial discipline

Major accountabilities: 

• Strategic Program Leadership & Delivery
  • Lead end‑to‑end execution of critical Infrastructure & Operations strategic initiatives, from strategic design through delivery, benefits realization, and executive reporting.
  • Translate multi‑year technology strategy into prioritized, execution‑ready roadmaps with clear outcomes and success metrics.
• Portfolio Governance & Executive Decision Enablement
  • Own and govern the Infrastructure & Operations strategic portfolio, ensuring alignment with enterprise priorities, architecture, security, and financial objectives.
  • Proactively manage risks, dependencies, and trade‑offs across teams and vendors, escalating clear decision options to leadership.
• Enterprise & Cross‑Functional Alignment
  • Drive alignment across Infrastructure & Operations, Technology domains, and enterprise functions to ensure coherent, integrated transformation.
  • Partner with Finance, Procurement, Risk, and Security to enable integrated planning, funding, and governance.
• Transformation, Modernization & Operational Resilience
  • Orchestrate large‑scale modernization and automation initiatives (e.g., cloud, platforms, service management), balancing transformation ambition with resilience and service continuity.
  • Embed outcome orientation, continuous improvement, and disciplined execution into ways of working.
• Value Realization, Change & BAU Transition
  • Ensure financial discipline, value realization, and transparent tracking of benefits across the transformation portfolio.
  • Lead change, communication, and adoption to enable sustainable transition of initiatives into Business‑as‑Usual operations.
• Vendor & Partner Ecosystem Orchestration
  • Ensure alignment of vendor performance, commercial models, innovation commitments, and transformation roadmaps with Infrastructure & Operations strategy.
  • Support vendor transitions, onboarding, and exits as part of strategic programs, with strong focus on stability, risk management, and service continuity.

Minimum Requirements:

Experience and Skills:

• 12–15+ years of experience in strategic program management, technology transformation, or large‑scale infrastructure initiatives within global or matrixed organizations.
• Enterprise‑scale Program Leadership: Proven track record leading complex, multi‑year, cross‑functional programs with senior and executive stakeholder exposure.
• Strategy‑to‑Execution Capability: Strong ability to operate at the intersection of strategy, technology, and operations, translating strategic intent into executable programs and measurable outcomes.
• Transformation & Change Leadership: Demonstrated ability to structure ambiguity, drive alignment, and lead change through influence, governance, and clear decision‑making.
• Technology & Operational Fluency: Deep understanding of infrastructure, cloud, platforms, service management, and operational risk, ideally within regulated or mission‑critical environments.
• Commercial, Financial & Stakeholder Acumen: Advanced executive communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to manage investment trade‑offs, vendor models, and value realization.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related discipline; Master’s degree (e.g., MBA, MSc in Management or Technology Management) strongly preferred.
• Certifications in program management, transformation, IT service management, or agile delivery are a plus.

Languages:

• English.

Why Sandoz?

Generic and Biosimilar medicines are the backbone of the global medicines industry. Sandoz, a leader in this sector, touched the lives of almost 500 million patients last year and while we are proud of this achievement, we have an ambition to do more!

With investments in new development capabilities, state-of-the-art production sites, new acquisitions, and partnerships, we have the opportunity to shape the future of Sandoz and help more patients gain access to low-cost, high-quality medicines, sustainably.

Our momentum and entrepreneurial spirit is powered by an open, collaborative culture driven by our talented and ambitious colleagues, who, in return for applying their skills experience an agile and collegiate environment with impactful, flexible-hybrid careers, where diversity is welcomed and where personal growth is encouraged! 

The future is ours to shape!

#sandoz

Skills Desired

Budget Management, Business Acumen, Performance Management, Risk Management, Service Delivery Management, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Planning, Talent Development, Waterfall Project Management