Global Director, Data Architecture

Kyowa Kirin International plc.; Marlow; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical company is seeking a Global Director for Data Architecture to align ICT strategy with business goals. The ideal candidate will have strong Azure expertise and a background in enterprise data architecture implementation. Responsibilities include developing data platforms, collaborating with stakeholders, and managing resources. This role is hybrid based in Marlow, UK.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in designing and implementing enterprise data architectures.
• Fluent in spoken and written English; Japanese knowledge is a plus.
• Strong understanding of cloud computing and microservices.
• Strong expertise in Azure data platforms and standards
• Strong understanding of data platforms, including cloud computing, microservices, APIs, and data management
• Experience with Agile methodologies and project management tools
• Experience with market research methodologies and competitive analysis
• Some experience working within the pharmaceutical industry
• Occasional local and international travel with overnight stays

Responsibilities

• Assess current ICT data strategy and technology landscape.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to align technology with business goals.
• Develop detailed architecture roadmap and manage vendors.
• Align people, processes and technology to enhance business performance.
• Collaborate with technology stakeholders to understand key business goals, processes, and capabilities.
• Develop architecture roadmap, manage vendors/resources, and monitor progress to ensure strategies are executed.
• Identify technology gaps in existing processes to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Work with suppliers, clients and internal teams to ensure seamless integration of solutions.

Skills

Azure data platform expertise

Data management

Agile methodologies

Market research methodologies

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

D365

Salesforce

SuccessFactors

Veeva

Job description

1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants

LEAPING FORWARD TO MAKE PEOPLE SMILE

At Kyowa Kirin International (KKI), our purpose is to make people smile. This means more than drug discovery and development; it is about embedding care into everything we do to make a difference every day for those that need it most. We’re an inclusive pharmaceutical company that takes time to understand what really matters to our patients, their families, and their healthcare professionals, helping our people to take bold actions that deliver life‑changing solutions sooner. Our culture is rooted in our values: Teamwork, Commitment to Life, Innovation, and Integrity. They help us to push boundaries to deliver extraordinary impact and make KKI a brilliant place to work.

Overview

Global Director, Data Architecture

Hybrid: Marlow or Galashiels, UK

Job Purpose

To ensure the organisation’s ICT strategy is aligned with its business goals, you will be responsible for analysing business processes, defining the technology needs, and the external environment. You will oversee the strategic direction of our data platforms and products. This role requires a visionary leader with a deep understanding of platform technologies, strong leadership skills, and the ability to drive innovation and growth. Experience in modern cloud data technologies like Azure is a must and an applications landscape such as D365, SuccessFactors, Veeva, Salesforce, etc is beneficial.

Key Responsibilities

• Assessment of our current ICT data strategy, data and technology landscape, conduct a maturity assessment and development of a target data platform and technology blueprint for the organisation
• Develop and maintain business data & applications, integration, and technical architecture domains, ensuring alignment with enterprise‑wide roadmaps and standards
• Define and communicate data architecture principles, standards, and patterns to guide solution design and development of data products across the organisation
• Utilise business acumen and technical understanding to align the organisation’s people, processes and technology to enhance business performance
• Collaborate with Technology stakeholders, especially business partners to understand key business goals, processes, and capabilities
• Develop detailed architecture roadmap, manage vendors/resources, and monitor progress to ensure that architecture strategies are effectively executed
• Analyse and help identifying technology gaps in existing business processes to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service delivery
• Work closely with various stakeholders, including suppliers, clients and internal teams, to understand their needs and ensure seamless integration of solutions and platforms

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred
• Fluent in spoken and written English. Knowledge of spoken and written Japanese is an asset but not must
• Proven experience in the designing and implementation of target Enterprise data and information architectures for global organisations
• Strong expertise in Azure data platforms and standards
• Strong understanding of data platforms, including cloud computing, microservices, APIs, and data management
• Experience with Agile methodologies and project management tools
• Experience with market research methodologies and competitive analysis
• Some experience working within the pharmaceutical industry
• Occasional local and international travel with overnight stays

Kyowa Kirin International is an equal opportunities employer.