Director, IT R&D Applications

Syndax Pharmaceuticals is looking for a Director, IT R&D Applications

At Syndax, we are determined to realize a future in which people with cancer live longer and better than ever before. Syndax Pharmaceuticals is a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company developing an innovative pipeline of cancer therapies.

The Role:

The Director, IT R&D Applications, will lead the strategic planning, implementation, and optimization of IT systems supporting the Research & Development (R&D) function. This pivotal role will manage the Project Management Office (PMO) for R&D applications, ensuring the successful delivery of IT solutions that align with business objectives and regulatory requirements. The Director will oversee the implementation of both Veeva Vault and non-Veeva applications, ensuring seamless integration with existing systems. Additionally, this position will involve creating and securing approval for business cases for new projects, leading steering committee meetings for ongoing initiatives, and ensuring a smooth transition of systems to the IT operations team after go-live, and managing the Hypercare phase post-implementation.

Key Responsibilities: 

• PMO Leadership & Oversight - Lead and manage the Project Management Office (PMO) for R&D IT applications, ensuring all projects are executed on time, within scope, and aligned with business and regulatory goals. You will drive the development of detailed project plans, effectively manage resources, and ensure compliance with GxP and other regulatory standards throughout the project lifecycle. Additionally, you will lead steering committee meetings for ongoing projects, providing senior leadership and stakeholders with regular updates on project progress, risks, and milestones.
• Business Case Development & Approval - Develop compelling business cases for new IT projects within R&D, focusing on both Veeva Vault and non-Veeva systems. This includes conducting thorough assessments of business needs, identifying technology solutions, and performing cost-benefit analyses. You will work closely with stakeholders to gather input and ensure alignment, then present the business cases to senior leadership for approval. Your ability to clearly articulate the strategic and operational value of proposed initiatives will be essential to securing buy-in and enabling the successful launch of projects.
• System Implementation & Integration - Oversee the end-to-end implementation of R&D IT systems, ensuring that both Veeva Vault and non-Veeva solutions are deployed in alignment with business needs and regulatory requirements. You will manage the planning, design, configuration, testing, deployment, and post-implementation support for these systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to define system requirements and ensure seamless integration with existing infrastructure. Post-implementation, you will lead efforts to optimize systems to meet evolving business and operational needs.
• Stakeholder Collaboration & Management - Serve as the primary liaison between business leaders, technical teams, and external vendors, managing relationships to ensure alignment and the successful delivery of R&D IT solutions. Lead steering committee meetings to provide regular updates on project status, address challenges, and ensure that projects remain on track. Your ability to communicate effectively and manage stakeholder expectations will be critical to fostering strong relationships and driving project success.
• Governance, Compliance & Risk Management - Ensure that all R&D applications comply with relevant regulatory standards, including GxP, 21 CFR Part 11, and EU Annex 11. Manage the governance and compliance framework for R&D systems, ensuring that all processes from planning to post-implementation meet industry regulations. Lead the identification, assessment, and mitigation of risks associated with system implementation, proactively addressing potential challenges to ensure the success of projects.
• Project Status Reporting & Vendor Management for Scope, Budget, and Timeline - Provide regular updates on the status of R&D IT projects to stakeholders, ensuring visibility into progress, budget health, and timeline adherence. Monitor project milestones, budget expenditures, and resource allocation to ensure projects remain on track. In addition, manage vendor relationships, ensuring that external partners meet their deliverables within the agreed-upon scope, budget, and timeline. Track vendor performance, address issues promptly, and maintain a clear communication channel to avoid project delays and cost overruns.
• Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence - Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize the performance of R&D applications, identifying opportunities for process automation, system enhancements, and operational efficiencies. Collaborate with business units to monitor system performance and make data-driven recommendations for improvement. After system deployments, lead post-implementation reviews to assess success, capture lessons learned, and ensure future projects benefit from those insights.
• Post-Go-Live Transition to IT Operations - Ensure a smooth transition of R&D systems to the IT operations team after the go-live phase. You will oversee the handover process, ensuring that operational support is well-prepared to manage ongoing system maintenance and user support. This includes providing detailed documentation, training the IT operations team on system functionality and support processes, and facilitating knowledge transfer to ensure that any issues post-go-live are efficiently addressed. Your leadership will help ensure that systems are maintained effectively and remain compliant throughout their lifecycle.

Desired Experience/Education and Personal Attributes: 

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in IT project management, with at least 5 years in a leadership capacity, ideally within R&D or regulated industries.
• Strong experience with the implementation of Veeva Vault and non-Veeva R&D applications, including integration with existing IT systems.
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory frameworks, including GxP, 21 CFR Part 11, and EU Annex 11, and their impact on system implementations.
• Proven success in managing large-scale projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and meet business objectives.
• Extensive experience in creating and presenting business cases for IT projects, with the ability to demonstrate the strategic value of technology investments to senior leadership.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, with a track record of leading cross-functional teams and fostering collaboration.
• Strong experience leading steering committee meetings, providing project updates, and ensuring alignment among stakeholders.
• Advanced project management skills, with expertise in PMO methodologies, risk management, and stakeholder communication.
• Experience with post-go-live transitions, ensuring a smooth handover to IT operations and ongoing system maintenance.
• Familiarity with Agile and Waterfall project management methodologies is highly desirable.
• A demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence, with experience in process optimization and automation.

Location: Syndax’s corporate office is in New York City.

Syndax offers a total compensation and rewards package that is among the most competitive in the industry. Base pay is just one element of our package and is determined within a range based on several factors including market data, experience, qualifications, demonstrated skills, relevant education or training, travel requirements and internal equity. Our overall package also includes an equity offering, annual target bonuses, and an outstanding benefits program. The anticipated annualized salary range for this role is $220,000 - $245,000.

About Syndax:
Syndax Pharmaceuticals is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company developing an innovative pipeline of cancer therapies. Highlights of the Company's pipeline include Revuforj® (revumenib), an FDA-approved menin inhibitor, and Niktimvo™ (axatilimab-csfr), an FDA-approved monoclonal antibody that blocks the colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1) receptor. Fueled by our commitment to reimagining cancer care, Syndax is working to unlock the full potential of its pipeline and is conducting several clinical trials across the continuum of treatment. For more information, please visit www.syndax.com/ or follow the Company on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn.

Syndax Pharmaceuticals is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law.

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