Director, IT Quality, Compliance and Technology Assurance

Kyowa Kirin is a global specialty pharmaceutical company backed by more than 70 years of breakthrough life science innovation dedicated to discovering and advancing treatments for diseases in which unmet need is greatest. Based in Japan with worldwide operations we work across the continuum from drug discovery to commercialization guided by our commitment to patients and their families.

Our research teams located in California and around the world are focused on developing the next generation of antibody cell and gene therapies with particular emphasis on bone and mineral disorders hemato-oncology and rare diseases. We accelerate development through collaborations with industry academia patients and healthcare providers and since 2018 we have introduced four new therapies serving patients with progressive illnesses often in need of new therapeutic alternatives.

Our culture is grounded in our values:Commitment to Life Integrity Innovation and Teamwork/Wa and brought to life through the Kabegoe Principles which define the behaviors and actions that guide how we work together to deliver meaningful impact for patients.

Were proud of the progress weve made and mindful of the countless individuals still waiting for their own breakthroughs. A commitment to making people smile unites our efforts. Learn more at.

Summary:

Kyowa Kirin Information & Communication Technology is seeking to add a dynamic and independent Director IT Quality Compliance and Technology Assurance. The role is accountable for establishing governing and continuously evolving the organizations enterprise approach to technology assurance across both regulated (GxP) and non-regulated systems. This role provides authoritative risk-based assurance leadership that enables safe compliant and efficient technology delivery at scale.
The role owns the design and operation of the Computer Software Assurance (CSA) framework and associated Centre of Excellence (CoE) ensuring that technology risk is managed proportionately decisions are defensible and assurance outcomes support business agility rather than impede it.

Essential Functions:

Leadership
Own and define the global technology assurance strategy spanning GxP and non-GxP systems.
Act as the enterprise authority on risk-based assurance providing clear defensible guidance to IT Quality and business leadership.
Ensure assurance decisions are evidence-based proportionate and aligned with regulatory expectations and organizational risk appetite.
Design stand up and lead the Global CSA Centre of Excellence.
Define the CoE mandate operating model RACI and engagement model across global and regional teams.
Lead through authority and structure enabling regional capability owners rather than centralized execution.
Ensure the CoE operates within its defined authority maintaining structural separation from delivery execution while providing oversight and interpretation support.

Technology Assurance Framework and Governance
Establish and maintain the CSA framework lifecycle governance model and standards as the Accountable authority for methodology and interpretation within Operational Governance aligned to the non delegable enterprise boundaries defined in the CSA Governance Framework
Define assurance decision points artefact expectations and inspection narratives that are consistent scalable and audit ready.
Ensure alignment with global Quality Audit and Regulatory stakeholders while maintaining independence of technical judgement.
Ensure unresolved matters relating to methodology interpretation or cross regional consistency are escalated to the CSA Steering Committee in accordance with the Decision Authority & Risk Acceptance Model.

Organizational Enablement and Capability
Enable sustainable CSA capability across regions through governance coaching and targeted enablement.
Oversee the development of Regional CSA Champions and ensure consistent application of CSA principles.
Reduce reliance on central assurance through clear frameworks and decision structures.

Tooling and Maturity Evolution
Define the long-term CSA maturity roadmap including the role of tooling and automation.
Ensure tooling decisions are evidence-led supporting a proven CSA operating model rather than driving it.
Sponsor targeted experimentation to inform future enterprise tooling standards.

Senior Stakeholder Engagement
Act as a trusted advisor to the CIO IT leadership team Quality leadership and the CSA Steering Committee ensuring governance decisions incorporate independent QA oversight perspective and are consistent with enterprise risk posture.
Represent technology assurance in enterprise governance forums.
Provide clear calm leadership in inspection audit and regulatory interactions.

Requirements:

Education
Bachelors degree in Information Technology Engineering or Business field required.
Advanced degree in Information Technology Engineering field preferred

Experience
A strong computer science background demonstrated through industry experience
At least 15 years experience in technology assurance IT quality validation or related disciplines within regulated industries (e.g. pharmaceutical life sciences).
Deep demonstrable expertise in computer system validation (CSV) Computer Software Assurance (CSA) and risk-based assurance in regulated environments.
Strong understanding of global regulatory expectations (e.g. FDA CSA guidance GAMP EU Annex 11) and how to apply them pragmatically.

Technical Skills
Proven ability to design assurance frameworks and governance models not just execute validation activities.
Strong grasp of modern IT delivery models including COTS SaaS cloud platforms and configurable systems.

Leadership Skills
Recognized as a subject-matter authority with strong personal credibility.
Comfortable operating with ambiguity and defining structure where none exists.
Leads through clarity proportionate control and trust rather than bureaucracy.
Able to balance regulatory rigor with business pragmatism.
Demonstrates disciplined governance behavior ensuring decisions and escalations follow the authority boundaries and thresholds defined in the CSA Governance Framework.

Working Conditions:

Requires up to 10% domestic and international travel

The anticipated salary for this position will be$185000 to $220000. The actual salary offered for this role at commencement of employment may vary based on several factors including but not limited to relevant experience skill set qualifications education (including applicable licenses and certifications job-based knowledge location and other business and organizational needs.

The listed salary is just one component of the overall compensation package. At Kyowa Kirin North America we provide a comprehensive range of benefits including:

• 401K with company match
• Annual Bonus Program (Sales Bonus for Sales Jobs)
• Generous PTO and Holiday Schedule which includes Summer and Winter Shut-Downs Sick Days and Volunteer Days
• Healthcare Benefits (Medical Dental Prescription Drugs and Vision)
• HSA & FSA Programs
• Well-Being and Work/Life Programs
• Life & Disability Insurance
• Concierge Services
• Long Term Incentive Program (subject to job level and performance)
• Pet Insurance
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Referral Awards

The compensation and benefits information set forth in this posting applies to candidates hired in the United States. Candidates hired outside the United States will be eligible for compensation and benefits in accordance with their local market.

KKNA and all of its employees have an obligation to act in accordance with the law and with integrity in all our operations and interactions

It is the policy of Kyowa Kirin North America Inc. to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race religion creed color pregnancy sex age national origin disability genetic trait or predisposition veteran status marital status sexual orientation or affection preference or citizenship status or any other category protected by law.

When you apply to a job on this site the personal data contained in your application will be collected and stored by Kyowa Kirin Inc. (Controller) which is located at 510 Carnegie Center Dr. Princeton NJ 08540 USA and can be contacted by emailing Controllers data protection officer can be contacted at . Your personal data will be processed for the purposes of managing Controllers recruitment related activities which include setting up and conducting interviews and tests for applicants evaluating and assessing the results thereto and as is otherwise needed in the recruitment and hiring processes. Such processing is legally permissible under Art. 6(1)(f) of General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) as necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the Controller which are the solicitation evaluation and selection of applicants for employment.

Your personal data will be shared with Greenhouse Software Inc. a cloud services provider located in the United States of America and engaged by Controller to help manage its recruitment and hiring process on Controllers behalf. Accordingly if you are located outside of the United States your personal data will be transferred to the United States once you submit it through this site. The transfer will be made using appropriate additional safeguards under the standard contractual clauses approved by regulators for transfers of personal data outside the European Union.

Your personal data will be retained by Controller as long as Controller determines it is necessary to evaluate your application for employment. Under the GDPR if you are located in the European Union you have the right to request access to your personal data to request that your personal data be rectified or erased and to request that processing of your personal data be restricted. You also have the right to data portability and to lodge a complaint with an EU supervisory authority. If you have any questions about our use of your data you may contact us by email at .

Kyowa Kirin does not accept agency resumes unless contacted directly by internal Kyowa Kirin Talent Acquisition. Please do not forward resumes to Kyowa Kirin employees or any other company location; Kyowa Kirin is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

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