Senior Director, Discovery IT

Wave Life Sciences is a biotechnology company focused on unlocking the broad potential of RNA medicines to transform human health. Our RNA medicines platform, PRISM, combines multiple modalities, chemistry innovation and deep insights in human genetics to deliver scientific breakthroughs that treat both rare and prevalent disorders. Our toolkit of RNA-targeting modalities includes editing, splicing, RNA interference and antisense silencing, providing us with unmatched capabilities for designing and sustainably delivering candidates that optimally address disease biology. Our diversified pipeline includes clinical programs in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and Huntington’s disease, as well as a preclinical program in obesity. Driven by the calling to “Reimagine Possible”, we are leading the charge toward a world in which human potential is no longer hindered by the burden of disease.

Description:

Wave Life Sciences seeks a highly motivated Discovery technology leader to join our Information Technology team in Cambridge and Lexington Massachusetts.  This is a senior IT leadership role that will partner with all areas of Discovery to drive new technology solutions, expand current capabilities and take ownership of SONAR. This technology leader will be responsible for delivering Discovery projects and services in a team-oriented, fast-paced, and cross-disciplinary biotech and IT environment. 

The candidate will be responsible for coordinating and leading major Research technology projects and will work with the business to assume operational roles for key Research technology applications. This position will report to the VP IT and will be a key member of the IT Management team. 

Experience:

• BS degree In Computer Science; Information Management/Technology; Software Engineering highly preferred
• Minimum 15 years’ experience in Pharmaceutical/Biotech companies; 10 years’ experience working in Discovery/Research required
• Minimum 10 years management experience leading teams or business functions required
• Prior experience leading Discovery IT projects and managing Discovery IT operations required. Experience with code management and Agile required
• Minimum of 5 –7 years in laboratory software implementation (eLNB required; Dotmatics eLNB preferred). SDMS, LIMS experience preferred. 
• Prior IT experience: Pharma/Biotech manufacturing would be beneficial

Responsibilities:     

• IT Discovery Business partner for Biology, Data Science, Lab Systems, Medicinal Chemistry, Process Development, Path/Tox and DMPK (non GLP)
• Manage IT Discovery Business Analyst, IT Discovery Data Architect and key MSP system administration and development functions
• SONAR Product Owner – The SONAR product owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the SONAR Discovery Informatics Platform. The product owner is cross-functional and interacts with several department leaders and teams. These include Product Team Members, Discovery leaders and SONAR product users, and other stakeholders.  Utilizing both on-shore and off-shore resources, execute the product vision utilizing agile framework and providing a robust administration, customer support and business resilient environment.   
• For Development: 
  • Craft and communicate a SONAR product roadmap and vision to the development team based on platform goals and immediate user needs
  • Ensure detailed requirements are captured from Wave Discovery Business Partners through creation of user stories.  Through interaction with the development team, break down capabilities, features, and stories to an implementation plan
  • Communicate timelines/delays within their development team to the platform owner for integration into the master schedule
  • Coordinate UAT Testing and demonstrations to user groups/business owners. Ensure the quality delivery of impactful product
• For Support, administration and business resilience:
  • Coordinate roadmaps for core software components of SONAR in conjunction with Discovery leadership (Dotmatics, Oracle, Lab Voice, KNIME, CLIMB)
  • Ensure customer support, ticket management and resolution are handled via MSP support services
  • Ensure business resilience and disaster recovery programs are executed in partnership with Senior Director IT Operations.
  • Provide business management and oversight for SONAR and Discovery Informatics services.
• Lead new Discovery technology projects including LIMS, lab automation, eLNB expansion, enhanced inventory and registration systems with LabVoice/Cascade
• Together with Wave End User and Lab Services, manage connectivity, access storage and data management for all Discovery lab equipment 

Key Skills:

• Fluency with Software Languages (Python, R, SQL, Oracle) and code repositories required.  Git, GitHub & Bitbucket experience preferred.
• Prior experience with cloud-based technologies, MS Azure, AWS, Google required.
• Working knowledge of FDA, EMA regulations such as Annex 11, 21 CFR Part 11, Part 210, 211; GDPR; Computer Systems Validation and GAMP framework required
• The individual should be able to function in a timeline-driven, dynamic environment, and be able to rapidly adapt to new technologies

Wave Life Sciences provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Wave Life Sciences complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Wave Life Sciences expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Wave Life Sciences’ employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

We value our relationships with professional recruitment firms. To protect the interests of all parties and given the large volume of inquiries received from third-party placement agencies, we are not able to respond to all agency inquiries. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates for current or future positions. Submission of unsolicited resumes in advance of a signed agreement between our company and a placement agency does not create an implied obligation and, if an unsolicited candidate represented by a placement agency is hired, we are not obligated to pay a fee. Only approved recruitment firms will be allowed to provide services to Wave Life Sciences, USA.