Director, Upstream and CLD Digital & AI Transformation

Role Summary

The Director of Digitalization & AI Transformation is responsible for shaping and implementing an integrated strategy that advances digitalization, AI, and predictive science within Upstream Process Development and CLD. This role will unlock data potential by collaborating with expert functions and cross-functional transformation teams to deliver data-centric, AI-enabled solutions that transform ways of working in a coordinated, scalable manner. The successful candidate will drive a multi-year transformation roadmap, lead teams to evaluate emerging technologies, scale pilots, and ensure on-time, on-budget delivery, while fostering data-centric behaviors and AI literacy across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Strategy & Roadmap: Develop and refine a functional Digitalization, AI, and predictive science strategy aligned with business objectives; maintain the functional roadmap with prioritized transformation goals.
• Developing code strategy: Build foundational data and AI literacy to communicate with data science and engineering teams; apply basic scripting or notebook skills to support pilots.
• Delivery & Governance: Lead end-to-end delivery of digitalization, AI, and predictive science projects with governance, risk management, and value tracking.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead functional matrix teams; represent Upstream on transformation teams and influence cross-functional decisions.
• Adoption & Change Management: Create training programs, communication plans, and KPIs to measure impact; promote data-centric behaviors and AI literacy.
• Capability Building: Assess and adapt functional capabilities to accelerate and scale delivery; identify skill gaps and develop upskilling pathways.
• Execution Excellence: Evaluate emerging technologies, scale pilots, manage budgets and resources, and ensure projects deliver measurable value.
• Enterprise Integration: Ensure solutions are coordinated, interoperable, scalable; promote standards for data storage, consumption, automation, reuse, and responsible AI practices.
• Lead Major Initiatives: Lead major cross-functional digital transformation projects as needed to achieve shared objectives.

Qualifications

• Leadership & Strategy: Strong leadership and strategic thinking with a proven track record in organizational change and measurable outcomes.
• Domain Knowledge: Deep understanding of biopharmaceutical development processes; subject matter expertise in Drug Substance Development; ability to translate scientific needs into practical digital and AI solutions.
• Program & Stakeholder Management: Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder programs and leading cross-functional teams from concept to deployment.
• Technology Exposure: Experience with data storage, consumption, automation, reuse, and AI technologies in scientific or operational contexts.
• Communication: Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills to convey a clear vision and influence decisions.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field with 12 years of experience, or Master's degree with 10 years, or PhD with 8 years.

Skills

• Strategic thinking and roadmap development
• Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
• Data literacy and AI literacy concepts
• Project management and governance
• Change management and training design
• Technical familiarity with data storage, automation, and AI applications

Education

• Bachelors (related field) with 12+ years experience; or Masters with 10+ years; or PhD with 8+ years.