Principal Program Leader – Digital & Data

Roche; Madrid; Hybrid; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid working model

Continuous learning

Global program exposure

Job summary

Roche Madrid seeks an executive-level transformation leader to guide Data & Digital initiatives within Pharma Technical Operations. You will own end-to-end programs, build cross-functional teams, and align stakeholders across sites and functions to deliver scalable data governance and digital capabilities.

The role emphasizes governance, regulatory readiness (GxP, GDPR, EU AI Act), change management, and financial stewardship, with hybrid work and opportunities to shape global programs.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in a relevant field with strong leadership in large organizations.
• Experience leading digital/data transformations in pharma/biotech or healthcare tech.
• GxP/GMP and data governance knowledge with regulatory exposure.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end program ownership across cross-functional workstreams.
• Design and scale global PT programs in data governance and digital capability.
• Advise site heads and steering committees on change pathways and roadmaps.
• Ensure alignment with GMP/GxP standards and regulatory expectations.
• Lead resource prioritization, budgeting, and ROI tracking across programs.
• Drive adoption of AI tools, automation, and data models across operations.

Skills

Executive leadership

Program management

Digital & Data governance

Change management

Stakeholder management

Strategic advisory

Executive coaching

Education

Master’s degree

Tools

SAFe

Prosci

Job description

At Roche you can show up as yourself, embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections, where you are valued, accepted and respected for who you are, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent, stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche, where every voice matters.

The Position

In Pharma Technical Operations (PT), we deliver life-saving medicines to patients worldwide. Beginning in 2026, PT’s leadership has committed to expanding our global digital impact and scale major Data & Digital programs across PT.

As a Principal Program Leader – PT Digital & Data, you will join an elite, internal advisory and delivery team within PT Digital and Operational Excellence (PTE). Acting as an internal program leader, you will serve as a high-impact catalyst for digital evolution across Pharma Technical Operations (PT).

In this role, your initial strategic focus will be spearheading and scaling a complex, global Data Governance operationalization initiative across global sites and functions - ensuring robust alignment with QMS, GxP, Data Integrity, and emerging regulatory frameworks (e.g., EU AI Act, GMP Chapter 4, Annex 11). As the governance framework reaches maturity and sustainment, you will strategically transition your program management scope to lead, advise, and scale other complex, high-priority data and digital transformation initiatives across the PTE portfolio.

Transformational Delivery & Governance

• End-to-End Program Ownership: Build, lead, and empower cross-functional workstreams (Process experts, Engineering, Data, AI, Migration, and Change Management) accountable for achieving key technical, operational, and business milestones
• Design, create and scale Global PT wide programs: Lead the end-to-end advisory and deployment of e.g. Digital capability, Data Governance, Data Integrity, and QMS frameworks across PT manufacturing sites and functional areas, ensuring compliance, inspection readiness, and operational alignment
• Executive & Site Leadership Guidance: Serve as a trusted advisor to site heads, functional directors, and steering committees as well their organizations - guiding them through complex change pathways, resource prioritization, and digital & data maturity roadmaps
• Standards & Compliance: Establish robust program governance ensuring full alignment with internal and GMP/GxP standards
• Stakeholder Alignment & Matrix Leadership: Partner closely with executive stakeholders across diverse domains - including PT site leaders, Quality, Development (CMC), manufacturing, supply chain, regulatory and supporting functions - to build confidence, manage competing priorities, and secure operations-wide alignment
• Resource & Financial Stewardship: Manage the overall program budget (headcount, capital investment, operating costs), monitor program effectiveness (tracking promised ROI/business value vs. reality), and apply data-driven decision-making to optimize resource allocation
• Drive adoption strategies: Drive AI-assisted tools, shopfloor automation, and operations-wide data models, helping teams transition from transactional execution to data-informed decision-making

Organizational Change Management, Onboarding & Adoption

• Ensure seamless integration of Organizational Change Management (OCM) and behavioral adoption strategies across all program streams, partnering with dedicated change leads to drive business process adoption

Who You Are

You are an executive-level transformation leader who thrives at the intersection of complex digital and data technology, human behavior, and large-scale operational environments. You combine deep technical literacy and hands-on technical execution with strategic foresight, empathy, and a proven track record of driving change across matrixed organizations. A balanced blend of direct, hands-on technical building alongside Change Management and Stakeholder Coaching is essential for success in this role.

Qualifications & Expertise

• Education: University degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Business Administration, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related field
• Professional Experience:
• Domain & Program Expertise:
• 10+ years of senior leadership experience in program management, Digital, Data, or IT transformation within large-scale matrix organizations and multi-site global operational networks (e.g., 1,000+ end-users across multiple geographies)
• 8+ years driving transformations within pharmaceutical operations, biotechnology, manufacturing, or healthcare technology
• Domain Leadership: Deep expertise in Digital, Data, GxP/GMP compliance, Data Integrity frameworks, and IT/OT data environments, with a proven track record of strategic advisory and guiding executive stakeholders through multi-site rollouts
• Regulatory & Compliance:
• Demonstrated mastery in shaping executive strategy and guiding organizational readiness within validated environments, navigating labor frameworks (Workers Councils) and digital governance (GDPR, EU AI Act) without compromising strict GxP quality standards
• Organizational Change & Influence:
• Lean/Agile mindset with exceptional stakeholder management, empathy, and executive influence across cross-functional teams
• Demonstrated experience applying behavioral science principles (e.g., behavioral economics, nudge theory, habit formation loops) in a professional or operational context

Preferred Qualifications

• Certifications: Certified in Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) or other large-scale Agile frameworks; formal certification in Organizational Change Management (e.g., Prosci, Kotter)
• Languages: Business-fluent English is required; German is an asset given frequent collaboration with major PT hubs (e.g., Kaiseraugst, Basel)

Who We Are

At Roche, more than 100,000 people across 100 countries are pushing back the frontiers of healthcare. Working together, we’ve become one of the world’s leading research-focused healthcare groups. Our success is built on innovation, curiosity, and diversity.

PT Digital and Operational Excellence (PTE) drives the digital evolution of Pharma Technical Operations, empowering our global manufacturing and supply network with cutting-edge data, infrastructure, and operational tools.

What We Offer

• Transformational Impact: Direct leadership of Roche’s flagship AI infrastructure project, shaping the future of therapeutic development and operational excellence
• High-Visibility Scope: Broad strategic influence across both PTE and global Technical Operations executive leadership
• Growth & Empowerment: An empowering environment that values autonomous leadership, psychological safety, flexible hybrid working models, and continuous learning

Who we are

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100’000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.

Let’s build a healthier future, together.

Roche is an Equal Opportunity Employer.