Senior Director, DevOps & Intelligent Automation (IA)

As a leading global contract research organization (CRO) with a passion for scientific rigor and decades of clinical development experience, Fortrea provides pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device customers a wide range of clinical development, patient access and technology solutions across more than 20 therapeutic areas. With over 19,000 staff conducting operations in more than 90 countries, Fortrea is transforming drug and device development for partners and patients across the globe.

The DevOps & Intelligent Automation Senior Director is a crucial role within our Clinical Research Organization. This role focuses on defining and executing the intelligent automation (IA) strategy of Fortrea’s IT organization, and creating an exceptional development environment that fosters creativity, efficiency, and growth for our development teams.

The DevOps & Intelligent Automation Senior Director oversees a team of professionals in designing, building, and implementing automation solutions to drive operational efficiencies and enhanced employee experiences across the enterprise. This role will also provide direct oversight of DevOps engineers in standing up and managing the continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) infrastructure, and supporting platform development teams across IT with automated deployments.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Single point of Accountability for Intelligent Automation (incl low code) and Dev Ops at Fortrea

Establish and implement an enterprise strategy and roadmap for IA and Devops

Manages technology platform like a business owner, owning portfolio forecasts, and driving efficiency into teams and utilization of resourcing including consumption of licenses and 3rd party spend.

Manages execution of technology roadmap with direct oversight of DevOps teams and directs virtual teams supported by architecture, design, test, and support.

Orientates technology components into products, and elevates team to a product management way of working including relentless customer focus, agile delivery with value in quarterly increments, and fit-for-purpose technology solutions that delight

Continuously improve the developer tools, resources, and environments for effective and efficient development.

Design and implement strategies to improve the overall experience for developers, including selecting development tools, defining workflows, and maintaining technical documentation.

Define and document CI/CD best practices in collaboration with Platform Engineering leads.

Drive improvements within developer tools and platforms based on developer experience and feedback.

Implement development and automation leading practices to increase productivity.

Oversee the design, development, testing, and implementation of scalable intelligent automation solutions

Manage the end-to-end demand intake process for Intelligent Automation use cases.

Orchestrate seamless integration of automation solutions into the Fortrea environment.

Identify opportunities to scale automation solutions across the Enterprise and drive broader consumption of proven solutions.

Coordinates external engagement and external innovation; ensure market trends are integrated into roadmap and communicated to business.

Responsible for delivering development and validation artefacts, ensuring high quality standards, and audit readiness

Perform all other duties as needed or assigned.

Qualifications (Minimum Required):

Sound understanding of software development lifecycle, DevSecOps, and agile methodologies.

Proven experience in managing developer tools and workflows.

Proficiency automation and Devops software (e.g., UiPath, BluePrism, Appian).

Clear understanding of AI, machine learning applications and experience implementing end-to-end RPA/BPA solutions.

Strong communication skills to interpret and explain technical processes to non-technical stakeholders.

Excellent project management, leadership, and team coordination skills.

Relentless for delivering business value.

Experience (Minimum Required):

At least 12 years of experience in a role focusing on CI/CD engineering, software development or a related field.

Previous experience in designing and managing developer environments.

Track record of managing and implementing developer tools and workflows.

Experience with AI, machine learning and robotic process automation (RPA).

Experience translating business needs into technology solutions.

Experience working with technologies such as Appian and Mulesoft

Preferred Qualifications Include:

Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field.

Previous experience in a management position within a software development team.

Certifications related to automation tools, AI, or machine learning.

Experience in a clinical research organization or healthcare-related industry.

Demonstrated ability to work with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for automation.

Certification in Agile or Project Management.

Strong technical expertise in different tech stacks.

Ability to foster a collaborative and innovative developer culture.

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Fortrea is actively seeking motivated problem-solvers and creative thinkers who share our passion for overcoming barriers in clinical trials. Our unwavering commitment is to revolutionize the development process, ensuring the swift delivery of life-changing ideas and therapies to patients in need. Join our exceptional team and embrace a collaborative workspace where personal growth is nurtured, enabling you to make a meaningful global impact.