Exec. Director, Advanced Analytics & Data Science

Role Summary

The Executive Director, Advanced Analytics and Data Science, will lead BioCryst’s advanced analytics strategy, driving a data-driven culture and supporting business decisions across Commercial (Sales, Marketing, Market Access, Patient Services, Managed Markets), Medical Affairs, Health Economics & Outcomes Research (HEOR), and Clinical Development. This leader will have consistent interactions with C-suite executives and oversee a multidisciplinary team, integrating data science, forecasting, and business analytics to deliver actionable insights, innovative methodologies, and strategic recommendations that accelerate BioCryst’s growth and impact in rare diseases.

Responsibilities

• Set the vision and strategy for the advanced analytics and data science.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing analytics team, fostering innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure alignment with the Strategic Data, Insights, and Operations group (SDIO) leadership on overall strategy.
• Oversee the design and implementation of predictive models, machine learning algorithms, and statistical analyses to support business decisions.
• Direct the evaluation and integration of large-scale datasets, including anonymized patient-level data (APLD), real-world evidence (RWE), claims, and operational data.
• Develop and implement innovative analytical approaches for insight generation, including data mining, exploration, modeling, deployment, and assessment.
• Ensure robust data governance, data integrity, and compliance with privacy and regulatory standards, including tokenization and anonymization of patient data.
• Lead the development of forecasting methodologies for Commercial functions, ensuring alignment with business performance updates and strategic goals.
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of dashboards, reports, and KPIs to inform brand performance, sales projections, and strategic initiatives.
• Guide the development, alignment, and management of incentive compensation plans for Sales, partnering with Sales Leadership and Marketing.
• Provide strategic leadership and guidance to Commercial, Medical Affairs, HEOR, Clinical Operations, and SDIO to integrate analytics and insights across the organization.
• Partner with Medical Affairs and HEOR on data strategy and external communications regarding the value of BioCryst’s product portfolio (RWE and RWD).
• Collaborate with IT, engineering, and strategic operations to design scalable data pipelines and analytics infrastructure.
• Cultivate and manage strategic partnerships with external vendors and data partners.
• Proactively evaluate and incorporate new data sources, analytical tools, and methodologies to maximize impact.
• Champion adoption of AI-based tools and advanced analytics platforms.
• Develop BioCryst’s advanced analytics capabilities through continual evaluation and implementation of innovative methodologies and tools.
• Direct the project prioritization, resource allocation, and delivery of analytics and data science team’s initiatives.
• Ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of analytics deliverables.
• Develop talent and succession plans for the analytics organization.
• Direct multiple workstreams simultaneously across a breadth of workstreams and functions in a fast-paced environment.
• Ensure proper controls and governance to support and protect key data assets.
• Oversee integration of disparate data sets to create insights and strategy, with a focus on patient journey and anonymity.
• Ensure compliance with US and international data privacy and security regulations.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor’s degree; 12+ years of experience in the biotech, pharmaceutical, or related industry with analytics-based roles, forecasting, and sales operations.
• Required: Experience leading teams in matrixed organizations and supporting multiple departments.
• Preferred: Rare disease experience.
• Required: Experience developing business and sales analytics models and conducting rigorous quantitative analyses.
• Required: Experience working with anonymized patient-level data (APLD) and personal identifiable information (PII).
• Preferred: Proven track record translating analytical output into real business impact and creative problem solving.
• Preferred: Experience with third-party pharmaceutical data (e.g., IQVIA, Symphony Health, Komodo), claims data, and managed care data.
• Required: Experience managing projects and vendors.
• Required: Ability to work collaboratively and handle multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Required: Ability to quickly develop ad hoc analyses requested by leadership teams.
• Preferred: Experience in CRM (e.g., Veeva or Salesforce).
• Preferred: Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to develop and deliver compelling presentations to senior leadership.

Skills

• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Leadership and team development
• Strategic thinking and cross-functional collaboration
• Data governance and privacy compliance
• Proficiency with data analytics tools and platforms; experience with AI/ML tooling

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA, PhD or other advanced degree strongly preferred