Gernot Mark

Driving digital innovation and operational technologies to advance digital maturity across the R&D value chain, with a focus on Pharmaceutical Sciences. As Senior Business Partner and Site Head EU, I lead strategic and operational initiatives, turning priorities into action. Key areas: datacenter and facility tech delivery, enterprise IT operations and infrastructure, governance and compliance in regulated environments, stakeholder alignment, data/digital roadmaps, and change and transformation.

Defined and executed the Scientific Informatics strategy across EU sites, in close alignment with global Research and Pharmaceutical Sciences leadership. Led digital innovation and technology adoption to improve efficiency and digital maturity, and established modern IT delivery models based on Agile and product-oriented principles. Focus areas: aligning regional execution with global R&D strategy, building scalable, agile lab IT support models, and transitioning to product-based IT delivery.

Led a transversal R&D IT organization covering Research, Non-Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs and Medical Affairs across EU sites in Austria and Switzerland, with responsibility for global systems and processes in specialized therapeutic areas, including rare diseases. Strategic, financial and organizational leadership: R&D IT operations, budget and workforce management, portfolio prioritization, M&A and due diligence, sourcing strategies, technology advisory and IT capability development.

Managed an R&D IT organization across EU sites in Austria and Switzerland, focused on highly specialized therapeutic areas, including rare diseases. Full financial, organizational and strategic leadership of R&D IT, aligned with the R&D operating model. Scope: people management, IT portfolio prioritization, budgeting and cost control, M&A, divestitures and due diligence, quality assurance, in-/outsourcing and vendor management, technology advisory and IT capability development.

Responsible for the Research & Non-Clinical R&D IT team in Vienna, in a multi-facility setup across highly specialized therapeutic areas, including rare diseases and underserved conditions. Held financial and organizational responsibility for end-to-end delivery of R&D IT services, aligned with the R&D operating model and strategic priorities. Core areas: people management and leadership, IT portfolio prioritization, budgeting, financial planning and cost control, and participation in M&A-related activities

supporting enterprise-wide R&D and business systems in a highly regulated life sciences environment. Combined project delivery, process optimization and business consulting to translate business needs into IT solutions and roadmaps. Core areas: IT project management (vendor selection, feasibility, PoCs), process analysis and design, requirements and change management, LIMS, ERP and procurement platforms, compliance standards, and IT portfolio, budgeting and sourcing.

Managed test activities and system integration in line with the SDLC in a complex, multi-technology enterprise environment. Coordinated release and testing across technology stacks (Oracle, Windows, Linux, Checkpoint, ColdFusion) to ensure stable integration and deployment. Established ITIL-based processes (change, incident, release management), coordinated cross-site maintenance including Manager-on-Duty duties, and handled project and escalation management in complex operational settings.

Operativer Betrieb der IT-Systemlandschaft; Integrationen in QM