Delivery Head / Director – Lifesciences Account (CIS Service Line)
Location: Hyderabad
Experience: 20+ years
Employment Type: Full-time
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Delivery Head / Director to lead a large-scale Lifesciences engagement under the Cloud & Infrastructure Services (CIS) Service Line, reporting directly to the CIS SBU Head. This leadership role involves managing a global delivery team of 1200+ professionals across offshore and onsite locations, ensuring delivery excellence, client satisfaction, and strategic growth. The ideal candidate will have deep domain expertise in Lifesciences, Pharma, and Healthcare, and a proven ability to drive transformation programmes and strategic initiatives in collaboration with Cognizant and client leadership.
Key Responsibilities
Stakeholder Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with client leadership (CIOs, VPs, Executive Directors).
- Act as the primary point of contact for delivery discussions and escalations.
- Conduct governance meetings (QBRs, MBRs) with client stakeholders.
- Collaborate with Client Partners to ensure strategic alignment and joint success.
Delivery Management
- Own end-to-end delivery accountability for cost, schedule, quality, and contractual milestones.
- Drive delivery transformation through technology innovation and process optimisation.
- Ensure operational hygiene and governance across all programmes.
- Monitor delivery commitments and performance metrics.
People Leadership
- Manage a global team of 1200+ associates across multiple service lines.
- Oversee resource forecasting, allocation, and fulfilment.
- Lead talent development initiatives and maintain high team engagement.
- Optimise resource pyramid and approve onboarding/offboarding.
Financial Management
- Achieve P&L targets for the Lifesciences account.
- Ensure account margin (GM & OM) through optimal utilisation and right-shoring.
- Collaborate with CRMs and Sales teams for renewals and new business opportunities.
- Maintain accurate financial forecasts and prevent revenue leakage.
Risk & Compliance
- Identify engagement risks and present mitigation plans during governance reviews.
- Ensure compliance with client and internal policies, including data security.
Operational Excellence
- Maintain delivery metrics and governance standards.
- Drive continuous improvement and best practices across engagements.
Required Skills & Experience
- 20+ years of IT experience with direct P&L accountability for large healthcare engagements.
- Deep domain expertise in Lifesciences, Pharma, and Healthcare.
- Proven experience managing large multi-service line engagements in Agile and traditional models.
- Strong executive communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead strategic initiatives and drive delivery transformation.
