Executive Director, Information Technology (IT)

The following information aims to provide potential candidates with a better understanding of the requirements for this role.

Neurodegenerative diseases are one of the largest medical challenges of our time. Denali Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing breakthrough therapies for neurodegenerative diseases through our deep commitment to degeneration biology and principles of translational medicine.

Denali is founded on the collaboration of leading scientists, industry experts, and investors who share the vision that scientific discovery energetically applied to translational medicine is the key to delivering effective therapies to patients.

We invite you to consider an opportunity with Denali to help achieve our goal of delivering meaningful therapeutics to patients.

Key Accountabilities / Core Job Responsibilities :

Strategic Leadership and Vision

Development and implementation of comprehensive IT strategies that align with Denali’s mission and organizational goals. This includes understanding Denali’s broader business objectives, synthesizing, and translating technology strategies that enable our portfolio and commercial goals.

You will collaborate with executive leadership to influence company-wide technology decisions and ensure that IT investments are strategically focused on driving growth and efficiency.

Commercial IT Focus

You will partner with Denali’s commercial teams to support technology strategies and execution in the planning, marketing and sales of our drug products.

You will implement technology solutions that enhance customer engagement, improve market positioning, improve commercial insights and stay informed about industry trends and emerging technologies relevant to commercial operations.

Your previous experience and insights will contribute to strengthening our competitive position in the market.

IT Portfolio Governance

Establish and oversee IT portfolio management processes to ensure alignment of IT projects and initiatives with business objectives and the business planning cycle.

You will evaluate and prioritize IT investments, identify resource allocation needs across projects and programs, and implement governance strategies to manage project risks, interdependencies, and value realization.

Regularly monitor and report on the performance of the IT project portfolio to leadership providing transparency and facilitating informed decision-making.

Authentic Technical Leadership

You will exemplify authentic technical leadership by leveraging your extensive technical expertise to provide insightful and accurate guidance on IT strategies and initiative to make informed decisions rooted in evidence, industry best practices, and proven methodologies by sharing knowledge and insights openly and honestly, ensuring all communications are grounded in factual information, you will foster transparency and trust within the team and across the organization.

Cultural Leadership and Community Engagement

Actively participate in Denali activities and functions, building culture and relationships in a meaningful and professional manner with your colleagues.

You will promote a positive environment by demonstrating respect, integrity, inclusiveness, and dedication in all endeavors, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment.

Effective Communication and Collaboration

Deliver clear and impactful communications to the company, leadership, and the executive team articulating IT’s vision and progress in a straightforward and understandable manner.

You will build strong relationships across all levels of the organization, enhancing collaboration and cultural cohesion.

Your ability to convey complex technical concepts clearly and succinctly will ensure that messages are easily understood by technical and non-technical audiences alike.

Governance, Compliance, and Risk Management

Establish and enforce IT policies, standards, and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.

Drive IT risk management activities, including healthcare compliance, data privacy, cybersecurity, and disaster recovery planning, ensuring that all initiatives are rooted in solid data and proven methodologies.

Operational Excellence and Results Orientation

Oversee key IT functions including infrastructure, applications, and support services to ensure operational excellence. You will manage large-scale IT projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget, demonstrating strong organizational and prioritization skills.

By implementing processes and methodologies that enhance efficiency and effectiveness, you will drive initiatives forward independently, requiring minimal supervision.

Financial Management and Accountability

Develop and manage budgets for assigned IT functions and projects, ensuring cost-effective utilization of resources. You will analyze and report on IT performance metrics, ROI, and value delivery to leadership, demonstrating your ability to evaluate and justify significant IT investments.

Leadership and Team Development

Lead and mentor IT managers and teams, including leading direct report(s) through annual goal setting, growth planning, adherence to company policies, maintain training compliance and provide ongoing feedback on growth, development and areas of improvement.

Through this, you will instill a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement and will inspire high performance by motivating teams to achieve exceptional results and encouraging them to go beyond the status quo.

By identifying and developing future leaders within the IT department, you will contribute to our talent management strategies and promote professional growth among team members.

Qualifications / Skills :

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA preferred

15+ years of progressive experience in information technology with 10+ years in senior leadership roles within large, complex organizations.

At least 5 years in the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry, focusing on commercial IT operations.

Demonstrated success in developing and implementing IT strategies that drive business growth, efficiency, and innovation.

Substantial experience in a technical discipline (e.g. engineering, coding, system development) with the ability to contribute directly to technical work alongside development teams.

Proficient in cloud computing, data analytics, and enterprise systems.

Experience leading enterprise architecture and system design initiatives.

Proficient in core IT frameworks and standards, including ITIL, COBIT, TOGAF, ISO / IEC 27001, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and CIS Controls.

Experience in IT financial planning and management, including budgeting and cost optimization.

Strong ability to evaluate and justify significant IT investments.

Professional certifications such as PMP (Project Management Professional), ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library), or CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) are highly desirable.

Salary Range : $265,000.00 to $318,000.00. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience.

Denali offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401k, healthcare coverage, ESPP and a broad range of other benefits.

Learn more at Denali Careers.

This compensation and benefits information is based on Denali’s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.

Denali is committed to its core company value of unity by creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and / or expression, status as a veteran, basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

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