Role: R&D Domain Architect
Reports to: Chief Enterprise Architect
Role Type: Senior Architecture Leadership
Location: Deerfield, IL (Hybrid)
Duration: Long Term Contract
Role Purpose
The R&D Domain Architect is the senior architecture leader accountable for shaping and governing technology strategy across end-to-end product development and launch. This role translates R&D and enterprise growth strategy into coherent, executable architecture outcomes that deliver measurable in-year savings, enable multi-year simplification, and establish a scalable target-state architecture supporting the full value delivery lifecycle.
The role spans portfolio planning, stage-gate management, regulatory submission, launch readiness, and cross-functional enablement with Commercial, Supply Chain, Finance and other functions. The architect ensures consistency, reuse, and operational efficiency across global R&D portfolios in a regulated healthcare environment.
Outcomes That Define Success
Quantifiable in-year and recurring cost savings across the R&D technology portfolio
Approved multi-year simplification and modernization roadmaps with clear cost-reduction targets
Reduced architectural complexity and standardization of project and portfolio management across divisions
Improved time-to-market and launch readiness through integrated, end-to-end architecture
Improved decision quality and visibility across portfolio, pipeline, and investment trade-offs
Core Responsibilities
Strategy Realization: R&D Architecture
Partner with R&D leadership to translate innovation and growth strategies into target operating models and capability roadmaps
Lead target-state architecture across product development, R&D lab management, product design and testing, product security and regulatory compliance, and product release.
Ensure architectural alignment across regulatory, clinical, quality, manufacturing, and commercial readiness activities
Develop sequenced, value-backed roadmaps delivering in-year savings and sustained simplification
Solution and Platform Architecture Leadership
Provide architectural leadership for major R&D initiatives, programs, and platform investments
Drive consistency and reuse across product lifecycle management, project and portfolio management, and development platforms
Ensure alignment with Commercial and Finance systems to support product costing, pricing readiness, and launch execution
Ensure solutions meet regulatory, validation, data integrity, and security requirements
Portfolio Simplification and Savings Delivery
Assess the R&D application landscape to identify consolidation, rationalization, and retirement opportunities
Standardize project, portfolio, and development workflows across divisions to reduce duplication and cost
Partner with Finance and Enterprise Architecture to quantify, track, and realize savings
Embed simplification, automation, and cost discipline into R&D architecture decisions
Governance and Decision Enablement
Represent R&D architecture within enterprise governance, investment, and technology assessment forums
Enable consistent architectural decision-making without slowing innovation or delivery
Surface cross-domain dependencies, risks, and readiness gaps early
Executive Relationships
The R&D Domain Architect serves as a trusted advisor to R&D, Commercial, Supply Chain, Finance, Regulatory, and IT leadership, enabling integrated product development and successful market launches.
Qualifications and Experience
Bachelor s degree in IT, Engineering, Life Sciences, or equivalent experience
10+ years in enterprise, domain, or solution architecture roles supporting R&D or product development functions
Deep understanding of regulated healthcare or life sciences development environments
Proven track record delivering portfolio simplification, cost savings, and enterprise-scale standardization
Strong executive communication and influence skills
Leadership Profile
Enterprise-first and outcome-driven mindset
Strong understanding of end-to-end product lifecycle and launch readiness
Pragmatic systems thinker balancing innovation, compliance, and cost
Trusted leader who aligns diverse stakeholders and drives execution
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