Now Hiring: Senior Director – Program Management (Life Sciences) | Cognizant Boston
Senior Program Director – Life Sciences | PPM CoE | Cognizant – Boston, MA (Hybrid)
Are you a dynamic leader with deep expertise in Program Management and a strong background in the Life Sciences industry? Cognizant is looking for a Senior Program Director to join its growing Program & Project Management Center of Excellence (PPM CoE). This high-impact role, situated at the Senior Director level, is tailored for professionals who can oversee and drive large, multi-service programs across geographies while ensuring excellence in delivery, stakeholder satisfaction, and business transformation.
Based in Boston, MA, this hybrid opportunity (2–3 days/week onsite) offers the ideal balance of collaboration and flexibility. The successful candidate will lead high-value programs that span Application Development and Maintenance, Infrastructure, Business Process Outsourcing, and Digital Services, with a specific focus on clients in the Life Sciences sector.
🚀 Position Summary
As a Senior Program Director, you will spearhead strategic, complex, and transformational initiatives for some of the world’s top Life Sciences organizations. Your primary responsibilities will include program governance, strategic planning, stakeholder alignment, team leadership, and driving excellence in end-to-end program delivery. You’ll be entrusted with client relationship management, program expansion, and transformation-driven outcomes that are critical for digital-era enterprise success.
This leadership position not only requires extensive experience in managing multi-disciplinary teams and diverse portfolios but also the ability to implement change, uphold compliance standards, and champion delivery innovation. Your leadership will directly influence Cognizant’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions in the Life Sciences ecosystem.
🎯 Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership & Execution
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Develop and implement comprehensive strategies for program delivery, ensuring alignment with client goals and organizational capabilities.
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Build a robust risk mitigation framework to proactively manage and address potential roadblocks.
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Ensure optimal alignment across multiple interconnected projects and services.
2. Client Engagement & Relationship Management
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Serve as the primary point of contact for client stakeholders, spanning IT, Vendor Management Organizations (VMOs), and business units.
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Cultivate strong executive relationships and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction throughout the program lifecycle.
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Identify and pursue opportunities to expand program offerings and introduce innovative service capabilities.
3. Cross-functional Collaboration
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Partner with internal service lines to allocate resources and expertise for program delivery across geographies.
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Coordinate with marketing and communication teams to build awareness of successful program outcomes and upcoming initiatives.
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Facilitate cross-functional workshops and client engagement events to strengthen partnership alignment.
4. Program Governance & Reporting
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Lead the response process for strategic proposals and requests for proposals (RFPs), ensuring timely and high-quality delivery.
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Drive structured deal engagements, including acquisition, divestiture, and transformation programs.
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Present regular updates and performance insights to executive leadership, enabling data-driven decision-making.
5. Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement
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Champion compliance, regulatory adherence, and internal delivery standards, particularly in the Life Sciences domain.
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Integrate feedback loops, lessons learned, and stakeholder reviews into future delivery strategies.
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Foster a culture of innovation and delivery transformation with measurable productivity improvements.
🧠 Required Skills & Experience
To succeed in this role, Cognizant is seeking a high-caliber professional who brings a blend of strategic foresight, technical program delivery acumen, and strong interpersonal skills. The following qualifications are essential:
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Over 15 years of proven expertise in leading project and program management initiatives, driving operational excellence, enabling digital transformation, and managing key stakeholder relationships.
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Proven leadership in delivering 3–4+ complex programs across global teams, involving multiple service lines.
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Deep understanding of Life Sciences industry operations, regulatory standards, and digital evolution trends.
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Expertise in legacy modernization, cloud transformation, and domain-specific service delivery.
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Strong ability to manage client relationships across different geographies and cultural settings.
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Demonstrated track record in contract management, structured deal negotiation, and transformational delivery.
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Experience with Agile methodologies and frameworks, with a solid grasp of iterative delivery models.
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Well-versed in proposal development, solution presentations, and executive-level communications.
🎓 Education & Certifications
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A Bachelor’s degree is required.
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An MBA or Master’s degree in a relevant field is strongly preferred.
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Certifications such as PMI (PMP), SAFe 5.0, Prince2, or other project/program management credentials are essential.
📍 Work Location & Model
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Location: Boston, MA
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Work Mode: Hybrid (2–3 days/week in the office)
💼 Compensation & Benefits
💰 Salary Range
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$131,400 – $208,500 USD annually, depending on qualifications, experience, and skillset.
🎁 Incentives & Additional Compensation
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Eligible for annual performance bonuses
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Stock awards as part of Cognizant’s equity program, based on individual and company performance
🌟 Employee Benefits
Cognizant offers an exceptional benefits package to support your health, career growth, and financial security:
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Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance
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Paid Time Off (PTO) and Company Holidays
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401(k) Plan with employer contributions
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Short- and Long-Term Disability Coverage
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Paid Parental Leave
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Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
🌍 Why Join Cognizant?
Cognizant is a globally recognized leader in digital transformation, technology innovation, and client-centric delivery. With more than 300,000 associates worldwide, Cognizant is reshaping how businesses operate in the digital age. The organization’s commitment to inclusion, innovation, and impact sets the stage for professionals to thrive, grow, and lead.
🧑🤝🧑 Our Culture:
We foster an energetic, collaborative, and inclusive workplace where everyone is empowered to contribute and succeed. We take care of our people, clients, communities, and the environment by always striving to do what’s right.
🏆 Awards & Recognition:
Cognizant has consistently been featured among:
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Forbes’ World’s Best Employers (2024)
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Fortune’s Most Admired Companies
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NASDAQ-100 Members
📝 Additional Information
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Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the United States without requiring current or future sponsorship from the employer.
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Interview Process: Candidates may be required to attend in-person or video interviews and must present valid government-issued identification during the selection process.
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Equal Opportunity: Cognizant is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, gender, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion, or any other protected classification.
📩 Need Accommodation?
If you require reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please email Ca********@*******nt.com with your request and contact information. We are committed to ensuring accessibility for all candidates.
🔗 Learn More
Discover how Cognizant is helping Life Sciences organizations lead with digital at:
🌐 www.cognizant.com