Director, Data Science Strategy & Operations

Role Summary

The Director, Data Science Strategy & Operations will play a pivotal role in driving the execution of critical initiatives for the Data Science & Digital Health (DSDH) organization and the integration of all IT and Data investments for R&D governance. This leader will oversee portfolio and project management activities (leveraging Wrike), lead a matrixed team of project managers, and ensure strategic alignment and operational excellence across the Data Science portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Execution: Support the Chief Data Science Officer and Senior Director in executing near- and long-term data science strategies.
• Strategic Leadership & Execution: Design and implement appropriate governance for the Integrated IT roadmap for R&D
• Strategic Leadership & Execution: Partner across the DSDH Strategy and Operations team to ensure flawless execution of Portfolio and Project Management tasks, initiatives and strategies
• Strategic Leadership & Execution: Lead cross-functional teams to deliver on key initiatives, ensuring collaboration and alignment with internal and external partners.
• Strategic Leadership & Execution: Provide strategic input and operational expertise, including use business case quantification and value articulation.
• Portfolio & Project Management: Oversee the Data Science project portfolio, ensuring prioritization, resource allocation, and timely delivery of projects.
• Portfolio & Project Management: Implement and optimize project management processes and best practices, including using Wrike.
• Portfolio & Project Management: Develop and maintain dashboards and reporting tools to track project status, risks, and outcomes.
• Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of matrixed project managers, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Team Leadership: Drive change management and continuous improvement initiatives within the team and across the organization.
• Financial & Business Planning: Partner with Finance and HR to manage budgets, headcount, and resource planning for the Data Science organization and Integrated IT Roadmap.
• Financial & Business Planning: Consolidate input from therapeutic and functional areas to ensure consistent financial planning and governance.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as a key liaison between Data Science, Therapeutic Areas, IT and other enabling functions.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Communicate DSDH and Integrated R&D IT project and/or portfolio progress to senior leadership and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Required: Advanced degree (PhD or Master’s) in Computer Science, Statistics, Data Science, or Business-Related field, or demonstrated equivalent work experience within a multi-national pharmaceutical company.
• Required: 7+ years’ experience in data science, digital health, or related fields, including significant experience in portfolio and project management.
• Required: Demonstrated experience leading and developing teams of project managers.
• Required: Expertise with project management tools (Wrike preferred) and methodologies.
• Required: Proven ability to drive strategic initiatives and manage complex, cross-functional projects.
• Required: Strong financial acumen and experience with budget management.
• Required: Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Preferred: Experience with healthcare datasets (EHR, claims, registries).
• Preferred: Familiarity with the use of AI tools to improve productivity
• Preferred: Familiarity with data visualization tools (e.g., R, Tableau, Spotfire).
• Preferred: Experience in large matrixed organizations or consulting environments.
• Preferred: Change management certification or training.

Skills

• Required: Agility Jumps, Business Alignment, Continuous Improvement, Mentorship, Performance Measurement, Process Control, Program Management, Project Management Methodology (PMM), Project Management Office (PMO), Project Reporting, Project Schedule, Quality Control (QC), Research and Development, Risk Management, Tactical Planning, Technical Credibility
• Preferred: Agility Jumps, Business Alignment, Continuous Improvement, Mentorship, Performance Measurement, Process Control, Program Management, Project Management Methodology (PMM), Project Management Office (PMO), Project Reporting, Project Schedule, Quality Control (QC), Research and Development, Risk Management, Tactical Planning, Technical Credibility