Director, IT Business Partner (china)

Structure Therapeutics develops life‐changing medicines for patients using advanced structure‐based and computational drug discovery technology. The company’s platform combines the latest advancements in visualization of molecular interactions, computational chemistry, and data integration to design orally available, superior small molecule medicines that overcome current limitations of biologic and peptide drugs. We are advancing a clinical‐stage pipeline of differentiated treatments focused on chronic diseases with high unmet need, including cardiovascular, metabolic, and pulmonary conditions.

Structure Therapeutics is led by an experienced group of international drug innovators and financed by top-tier global life sciences investors. The company has completed an initial public offering (IPO) in February of 2023. With offices in California and Shanghai, Structure Therapeutics has the benefit of being at the center of life science innovation in both the US and China and capitalizing on the strengths of each geographic location.

Position Summary

As the Director of IT Business Partner for China - Technology, Discovery, and Preclinical R&D, you will take a hands-on approach in delivering IT solutions that support China-based R&D operations. You will be responsible for implementing and executing technology initiatives defined by Global IT leadership while aligning them with the specific needs of the China R&D teams. In addition, you will work closely with Global IT Operations and Cybersecurity leaders to ensure secure and uninterrupted IT operations. This role requires ability to partner with local business leadership and have a strong problem-solving ability to drive the successful deployment of IT solutions and maintain a high level of operational excellence.

Essential Duties and responsibilities

• Strategic Business Partnership: Act as a trusted IT advisor to the China Operations and Pre-clinical R&D teams, including Biology, Chemistry, and Technology Understand their strategic goals and challenges to translate business needs into innovative technical solutions that align with the Company’s overall IT strategy.

• Systems Architecture: Serve as the Enterprise Systems Architect for multiple high-impact initiatives. Take ownership of IT systems to ensuring they support evolving research and laboratory requirements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including internal stakeholders, IT peers, and external vendors.

• Hands-on IT Solution Delivery: Act as the primary IT lead responsible for delivering technical solutions that directly support R&D operations in China, with a focus on laboratory management platforms. Ensure that local requirements are addressed while staying aligned with global IT standards and practices.

• Global IT Collaboration: Work closely with the Global IT Operations and Cybersecurity teams to ensure that local solutions are in line with global security policies and IT operational standards. Collaborate to ensure the availability, security, and performance of all IT systems that support R&D in China. Contribute to global IT initiatives strategy to ensure specific China requirement considered.

• Technology Execution & Systems Ownership: Take ownership of local IT systems within the R&D portfolio, ensuring they are implemented effectively and support research and development activities. Lead hands-on efforts to optimize system functionality, troubleshoot issues, and implement enhancements as needed.

• Project Leadership & Implementation: Lead the execution of local IT projects, ensuring alignment with the global strategy. Manage the end-to-end project lifecycle, from scoping to delivery, ensuring timely execution, adherence to GxP, and regulatory compliance.

• Operational Continuity & Support: Oversee day-to-day IT operations for local business systems, ensuring they remain stable, secure, and fully operational. Take a proactive approach in monitoring system performance, resolving technical issues, and maintaining system validations.

• Budget & Resource Management: Manage the local IT budget, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to meet both local business demands and global IT objectives. Identify and implement cost-saving measures while maintaining high service levels.

• Risk & Compliance Management: Work closely with Global IT leadership to enforce risk management protocols, IT change controls, and system security measures. Ensure all R&D systems adhere to global security policies and local regulatory requirements, including data protection and GxP standards.

Core Competencies, Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Hands-on Leadership: Lead by example, taking an active role in system implementation, troubleshooting, and support. Build strong relationships across R&D and IT teams, fostering an environment where collaboration and innovation thrive.

• Solution-focused Execution: Demonstrate a results-driven approach, ensuring that IT solutions align with business needs and global standards. Focus on delivering practical, efficient solutions that enhance R&D operations.

• Collaboration & Communication: Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring that global directives are understood and applied locally. Collaborate closely with Global IT and China R&D teams to ensure seamless IT operations.

• Change Management Expertise: Lead teams through IT transitions, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations. Develop and execute comprehensive change management plans that facilitate smooth implementations and user adoption.

Qualifications

• A./B.S. degree in a relevant field from an accredited institution; advanced degrees are preferred.

• 10+ years of relevant experience in the biotech or pharmaceutical industry, including at least 5 years in IT management or business transformation roles.

• Extensive hands-on experience in networking, SASE, MDM, DLP, encryption, identity management, DNS, email, collaboration technology, incident management, enterprise architecture, and operations.

• 8+ years of experience in cloud computing (AWS, Azure), enterprise architecture, and cybersecurity frameworks.

• Experience with R&D platforms like Veeva Platform, EDMS, SAS, CTMS and LMS (Lab) implementation and support.

• Experience translating technology trends into actionable strategies for business impact.

• Strong track record in collaborating with IT teams to deliver innovative solutions while ensuring the stability of existing systems.

• Must be able to understand and mediate needs of multiple stakeholders, who may have competing priorities.

• Proven ability working in a matrix environment and leading multi-level / cross functional teams including coordinating vendors and third-party resources as necessary.

• Operational & Service Delivery: Demonstrated ability to ensure high-quality, efficient IT service delivery for regional IT units with a focus on performance optimization.

• Stakeholder Relationship Management: Proven ability to manage and nurture relationships with key business stakeholders, prioritizing business demands and addressing emergencies effectively.

• Leadership Communication: Proven ability to engage senior leadership, maintain effective communication channels, and deliver impactful presentations to diverse audiences.

• Language Proficiency: Fluent in both spoken and written Chinese and English (not using translation tools), with proficiency in delivering clear presentations and documentation.

• User Experience Design: Strong experience in user experience design is essential for this role.