Venkateswarlu Tummalapenta
Summary
Accomplished senior leader with 22 years of progressive experience across the pharmaceutical, CRO, healthcare services, and ITES industries, including 14 years directing end-to-end data operations at global organizations such as AstraZeneca, Novartis, PAREXEL, and TCS. Recognized for combining strategic vision with operational rigor to deliver sustained business impact at scale.
Proven expertise in building and leading high-performing global teams, driving operational excellence, and shaping data management strategy aligned with therapeutic area priorities, and enterprise objectives. Adept at navigating complex stakeholder landscapes—spanning client engagement, vendor governance, strategic partnerships, and cross-functional collaboration—to deliver timely, compliant, and high-quality outcomes.
Demonstrated success in change management, process optimization, cost efficiency, and risk-based delivery models, consistently exceeding KPIs while fostering a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and professional development. Skilled at influencing executive stakeholders, managing multimillion-dollar budgets, and translating organizational goals into actionable operational strategies that accelerate growth and strengthen execution capability.
Seeking to leverage deep operational, organizational, and technical leadership as an influential senior executive, driving the future of Data Operations within a forward-thinking life sciences organization.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Director – Clinical Data Management
AstraZeneca India Pvt Ltd
11.2024 - Current
- Oversaw CDMO delivery of high-quality data through external partnerships and internal studies.
- Led cross-functional teams to develop innovative solutions for drug development.
- Managed strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency within the organization.
- Oversaw compliance with industry regulations and quality standards in projects.
- Facilitated stakeholder engagement to align project goals with corporate objectives.
- Directed resource allocation and budgeting for multiple concurrent projects.
- Implemented performance metrics to assess project progress and outcomes effectively.
- Cultivated a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement among teams.
- Collaborated with senior leadership to set long-term objectives for the company.
- Created detailed plans outlining timelines, goals, budgets, staffing needs and other requirements for projects.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive strategies to improve operational processes and organizational efficiency.
- Managed budgeting and financial planning processes for the organization.
- Reviewed internal reports and identified areas of risk or potential cost savings.
- Identified opportunities for process optimization through data analysis.
- Implemented new technologies to streamline processes and enhance productivity.
- Led change management efforts to adapt to market shifts and organizational needs.
- Promoted a culture of innovation and encouraged staff to contribute ideas.
- Directed operations to improve efficiency and increase profit margins.
- Represented the organization at industry events, conferences, and public meetings.
- Managed crisis situations to minimize impact on operations and reputation.
- Directed clinical data management, providing training and coaching to CDMO functional managers.
- Supported hiring, onboarding, and training for established CDMO-EDC team.
- Managed performance appraisals and talent reviews while coaching functional managers.
- Accountable for CDMO-EDC delivery in IDM studies across global teams in India, Poland, and Spain.
- Represented clinical data management in cross-functional forums, offering strategic direction to stakeholders.
- Executed resource and budget management while overseeing vendor performance and issue resolution.
- Collaborated with diverse teams to ensure successful portfolio delivery and drafted 2025 DM objectives.
- Implemented quality control measures to uphold company standards.
- Created and managed budgets for travel, training, and team-building activities.
Associate Director – Clinical Data Management
AstraZeneca India Pvt Ltd
07.2022 - 11.2024
- I am responsible for the oversight of the CDM delivery of high-quality data via external partners or internally for BioPharma studies.
- I provide training or coaching to AD, SDM’s, AD, PDM’s, DM Leads.
- Maintains an up-to-date awareness of trends/changes in external CDM approaches and serves as a subject matter expert in process development and improvement.
- Acting as a data management leader and providing training and acting as a coach to junior colleagues within CDI.
- Supported in hiring, onboarding, training, and coaching of the newly established CDI team in India.
- Performing the line management responsibilities such as performance appraisals and Coaching.
- Representing Clinical Data Management at cross functional forums, meetings and provided strategic direction and feedbacks to partners and stakeholders.
- Demonstrated leadership and operational expertise in the strategic planning and delivery of CDM deliverables at project level.
- Management and oversight of resourcing and budget management and oversight of vendor performance for assigned projects and studies in CVRM, R&I and V&I portfolios.
- Insourcing strategy, Score card for CSS, Development of DMDL’s community.
- Provided oversight and expertise for non-drug initiatives like SME Chatbot (DRISTI) – Lead as a business lead, Study workflow manager (Innovation simplifications and automations); Provided guidance on AZ standards, processes, systems (Horizon V2.0, Training gaps, ALS to RBS conversation, UAT standardization, GRLL (Global reports and listings Library).
- Proactively identified risks and issue resolution/escalation and supported QA.
- Provided data management expertise in supporting strategic and operational aspects of Data Management on project level.
- Business lead for RPA BOT for SME – DRISTI.
- SEP - Site Exposure Program – Initiated in India and driving the Global SEP Champions.
- Established collaboration with APAC SMM.
- Leading Skillset enhancement program like SDBE RAVE certifications for DM’s.
- Leading an initiative to build global library for Reports and listings.
- Lead the discussion and tool development for Competency matrix using FIAT model.
- Proposed an initiative for Local labs management automation.
- Plan 100 – Successfully lead plan 100 program (from Site operations, India). Site strategy workshop, YHP guidance to Mentees, Connect #23 and SINCHAN are key site initiatives.
Associate Director
Novartis Healthcare Pvt Ltd
04.2018 - 06.2022
- Direct, oversee and coordinate all activities, deliverables and resources within Cardiovascular therapeutic area.
- Ensured trials are conducted to a consistently high standard with respect to cost, quality and timelines.
- Facilitated the sharing of resources between groups in order to meet company goals and objectives.
- Worked seamlessly with partner groups.
- Lead, contributed to and implement initiatives to establish and maintain Novartis Data Management as best in class in the industry.
- Involved in hiring and retention along with effective development of direct reports.
- Continuously monitored the performance of the direct and indirect reports and DM staff supporting CRM to ensure high quality performance across the CRM portfolio.
- Ensured and facilitated role model behaviors within the team.
- Ensured the resources and their assignments are managed with in the portfolio and ensured resource sharing as and when required to meet company objectives and priorities.
- Provided all necessary support to address and resolve issues and developed problem-solving skills with the team.
- Health Authority requirements are supported and participated as in inspections as required.
- Developed technical ability and excellence in performance ensuring exhibiting the Novartis values and behaviors (RAVE expertise, set up expertise, TDM and PDM capabilities, OPEX and Innovation).
- Supporting both Clinical and Nonclinical projects (Both OPEX and Innovation).
- Supporting as business lead and change management lead for various NDP’s.
- Ensured the staff training is conducted and documented to be compliant.
- Ensured high quality communication and information flow on status of trials to stakeholders, mitigates and manages risks.
- Ensured that team are tracking time to further evaluate business needs with regard to capacity forecasting and increasing productivity.
- Ensured all assigned project deliverables meet targets for quality, time and productivity in adherence with business standard operating procedures.
- Provided oversight of deliverables for regulatory submissions and post-submission activities.
- Efficient use of resources through operational effectiveness more of dynamic resourcing rather using the linear resourcing model.
- Actively ensured that metrics for team performance are in place and being met or exceeded.
- Takes appropriate action when needed to drive corrective measures.
- Represented Clinical Data Management regarding requirements, selection, and supported in evaluation of computer systems that relate to Data Management activities.
Manager
PAREXEL International
Hyderabad
06.2014 - 04.2018
- Responsible to resource client projects with suitably developed professionals and to retain and develop these professionals within organization.
- Responsible to promote new business by participating in project bids and client presentations as appropriate.
- Responsible to provide clinical consultation to project teams as needed.
- Works independently, under supervision of the Director.
- Manage and oversee team activities including appropriate resourcing of staff, staff assignments, and quality control of project deliverables and timely delivery of project deliverables.
- Meet and aim to exceed client expectations by recruiting, retaining and developing a skilled, experienced and motivated team.
- Maintain an agreed level of productivity/billability and staff turnover.
- Participate in and contribute to Project bids, including client presentations.
- Meet client and business needs to have all projects optimally resourced with suitably experienced staff.
- Meet percentage of travel and billability guidelines for staff as appropriate.
- Produce accurate resourcing plans in conjunction with the appropriate Project Team Members and team leads.
- Provide consultation, facilitate metrics collection, and develop action plans in conjunction with Project Leadership to keep project on time and within budget.
- Responsible to coordinate client or account activities for department or function.
- Manage employees from multiple disciplines (e.g., in smaller countries).
- Demonstrate leadership within department. This includes taking an active role in departmental, functional or location activities (e.g., management meetings).
- Participate in formal staff review processes e.g. performance and salary reviews to corporate standards and timescales.
Assistant Manager
TATA Consultancy Services
11.2011 - 06.2014
- Led team of Data managers and Database programmers (a size of 18 members, including TLs).
- Resource planning, project management, budget management & forecasting for Data Management activities.
- Proactively manage the overall performance of the individuals in the function, and ensure they are trained and developed to maximize their contribution.
- Ensure that employees are trained, developed, and coached so that their capabilities comply with company and regulatory standards and to maximize their contribution to the projects they are involved in.
- Contact and provide early warning for any issues, concerns.
- Monitor overall project plan and ensure that the teams comply with the agreed SLAs & Metrics.
- Ensure each project is compliant with TCS SOPs and Work Instructions, Client processes and standards.
- Drove the implementation of process improvements and initiatives, with the objective of enhancing productivity and efficiency at site whilst maintaining consistent processes.
- Build operational excellence at the site through effective knowledge sharing across functions, projects and studies at the site.
- Coach and develop staff to maximize their contribution to the delivery of studies and projects.
- Set priorities within the TCS Data Management team.
- Responsible for quality delivery through a rigorous metrics-based approach.
- Responsible for recruitment, selection, training of team members and retention.
- Manages and communicates performance review based on assessment of aggregate feedback and ensured to maximize the productivity.
- Responsible to review and approve Budget calculators, SOW, and change in Scopes.
- Participate in RFP, RFI and Bid defense as required.
Senior eCRF Developer I, TA Coordinator IIS TS (IID) & Ramp up coordinator (Advance)
Novartis Healthcare Pvt. Ltd
09.2007 - 11.2011
- Managing Project timelines and Communications with team for all IHC (Integrated Hospital Care) trials in TS.
- Participating in project governance meetings to track project status & timelines in an ongoing basis.
- Coordinating with TS IHC project led to resolve & manage Project related issues.
- IHC Projects assignments, Resource allocation along with the Global head.
- POC for IHC in Phase I, DB Programming.
- Support the Global eCRF Development Head with defining and revising processes that help to gain speed, increase efficiency, and raise the quality of deliverables.
- Lead, support or provide mentoring to staff members involved with special projects both clinical and non-clinical in nature.
eCDM Developer
Accenture Services Private Limited
01.2006 - 01.2007
Consultant Homoeo Physician
Sai Baba Care and Cure Centre
01.2004 - 01.2006
Medical Officer
Andhra Hospitals
01.2004 - 01.2006
Education
Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine & Surgery (BHMS) - Homeopathic Medicine
NTR University of Health Sciences
Vijayawada, Andhra PradeshSenior School Certification - Biology, Physics, Chemistry
Central Board of Secondary Education
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Andhra PradeshSkills
- Clinical data management
- Project management
- Regulatory compliance
- Budget management
- Data analysis
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Change management
- Resource allocation
- Performance metrics
- Leadership development
- Team building
- Coaching and mentoring
- Continuous improvement
- International business
- Corporate social responsibility
- Operations management
- Strategic planning
- Innovation management
- People management
- Risk management
- Client relations
- Process improvement
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Visionary leadership
- Employee development
- Team management
- Performance management
- Business strategy
- Contract management
- Partnerships and alliances
Professional Development
- Leading at the Frontline (M1)
- Talent Acceleration Program (TAP)
- Six Sigma Green Belt Certified
- Base SAS Certified
- Change Management
Timeline
Director – Clinical Data Management
AstraZeneca India Pvt Ltd
11.2024 - Current
Associate Director – Clinical Data Management
AstraZeneca India Pvt Ltd
07.2022 - 11.2024
Associate Director
Novartis Healthcare Pvt Ltd
04.2018 - 06.2022
Manager
PAREXEL International
06.2014 - 04.2018
Assistant Manager
TATA Consultancy Services
11.2011 - 06.2014
Senior eCRF Developer I, TA Coordinator IIS TS (IID) & Ramp up coordinator (Advance)
Novartis Healthcare Pvt. Ltd
09.2007 - 11.2011
eCDM Developer
Accenture Services Private Limited
01.2006 - 01.2007
Consultant Homoeo Physician
Sai Baba Care and Cure Centre
01.2004 - 01.2006
Medical Officer
Andhra Hospitals
01.2004 - 01.2006
Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine & Surgery (BHMS) - Homeopathic Medicine
NTR University of Health Sciences
Senior School Certification - Biology, Physics, Chemistry
Central Board of Secondary Education