Program Director – Life Sciences | Project Management (PPM CoE) | Cognizant | Bangalore | Hybrid

Job Description

Summary

Cognizant is hiring an experienced Program Director with a strong background in Project and Program Management within the Life Sciences domain. This is a leadership role focused on the successful delivery of large-scale, multi-service programs involving digital transformation, legacy modernization, application development, and infrastructure services. Based in Bangalore, the role follows a hybrid work model and requires 15+ years of experience in program delivery, stakeholder management, and enterprise-scale operations.

If you’re an expert in leading global delivery teams, managing complex program portfolios, and driving business outcomes in regulated industries like Life Sciences, we want to hear from you.

Job Details at a Glance

Key Responsibilities

As a Program Director – Life Sciences, you will be responsible for the end-to-end delivery and governance of enterprise programs. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading multi-service programs spanning application development, digital transformation, cloud infrastructure, and business process services
• Establishing robust program governance including stakeholder communication, scope, benefits realization, and change management
• Overseeing delivery estimation, resource planning, and execution tracking across globally distributed teams
• Managing performance metrics (e.g., SLA adherence, budget vs. actual delivery)
• Engaging in pre-sales and pursuit support for strategic deal wins
• Building and nurturing CXO-level client relationships
• Ensuring MSA/SOW compliance and commercial agreement fulfillment
• Driving continuous improvement across program delivery standards, tools, and best practices
• Mentoring and developing diverse, cross-functional leadership teams

Required Skills & Expertise

• 15+ years in strategy, operations, and program delivery within Life Sciences or Healthcare domains
• Proven success managing programs with 140+ team members across multi-geo, multicultural teams
• Strong command of contract management, compliance monitoring, and regulated environments
• Experience delivering legacy modernization and digital transformation initiatives
• Skilled in presenting solutions from a Program Management Center of Excellence (CoE) perspective
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement across IT, business, and vendor ecosystems
• Adept in managing structured deals, takeovers, and post-merger integration programs
• Familiarity with cloud-based platforms, data compliance, and business transformation in Life Sciences

Required Certifications

To be considered for this role, candidates must hold at least one of the following:

• PMI PMP (Project Management Professional)
• SAFe 5.0 Certification
• PRINCE2 Certification
• ITIL Certification (Mandatory)

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Information Technology, or a related field
• Experience working in Life Sciences regulatory environments (FDA, EMA compliance)
• Experience in driving digital strategy in pharmaceutical or biotech companies
• Exposure to Agile, DevOps, and Product-Centric Delivery Models
• High-level communication skills, with the ability to influence at executive levels

Why Join Cognizant?

• Work on transformative projects that impact global health and innovation
• Collaborate with world-class leaders in digital delivery and consulting
• Access to top-notch tools, continuous learning, and career growth opportunities
• Inclusive culture focused on diversity, equity, and belonging
• Named among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers 2024

Apply Now

🚀 Ready to take the lead in life sciences digital transformation?

📩 Apply through the official Cognizant Careers page:
👉 Click here to apply now

Be part of a mission-driven team that’s reshaping the future of healthcare and life sciences technology.