Senior Director Data Engineering & Bioinformatics

Role Summary

Leads data infrastructure and management strategy, with a strong focus on managing multi-omics and research data. Responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining a robust data platform that supports Champion’s research and development efforts, in compliance with FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles.

Responsibilities

• Implement and maintain a comprehensive data platform architecture that supports the entire research data lifecycle
• Develop and support multiomic and biological data analysis tools and platforms that enable efficient research workflows
• Develop and enforce data governance policies and standards, ensuring FAIR principles are consistently applied across all research data
• Manage and optimize data storage, processing, and retrieval infrastructure using AWS cloud services
• Develop robust data management strategies that support reproducibility and data integrity in scientific research
• Collaborate with research teams, bioinformaticians, and IT departments to ensure seamless data flow and accessibility
• Implement advanced data security and privacy measures to protect sensitive research information
• Design and maintain metadata management systems for comprehensive data cataloging
• Understand customer user needs as pertains to data access, analysis, and utilization and enable efficient collaboration models
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory requirements and industry best practices
• Manage partner data-licensing agreements, including:
• Tracking and ensuring compliance with licensing conditions
• Monitoring data usage and adherence to contractual obligations
• Oversee data transfer processes with third-party partners, including:
• Developing secure data transfer protocols
• Implementing robust data exchange mechanisms
• Ensuring data privacy and regulatory compliance during external data transfers
• Managing data access controls and audit trails for third-party interactions
• Other duties may be assigned verbally at any time.

Qualifications

• Required: Extensive experience in data platform management, preferably in a biotech or pharmaceutical research environment
• Required: Deep understanding of and direct experience with multi-omics data types, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics
• Required: Expertise in handling Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) data
• Required: Advanced proficiency in AWS cloud services and infrastructure
• Required: Strong SQL skills and experience with database management systems
• Required: Comprehensive knowledge of FAIR data principles and scientific data management best practices
• Required: Strong programming skills (Python and/or R)
• Required: Demonstrated experience in managing data licensing agreements and third-party data transfers
• Required: Understanding of data protection regulations and compliance requirements
• Required: Excellent strategic planning and technical leadership skills
• Required: Strong communication abilities across technical and non-technical teams
• Required: Ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences
• Preferred: Experience with bioinformatics data platforms and analysis tools
• Preferred: Experience with data pipeline development and workflow management tools
• Preferred: Knowledge of contractual negotiations and intellectual property considerations
• Preferred: Familiarity with data transfer agreements and compliance frameworks
• Preferred: Understanding of machine learning and AI applications in biomedical research

Skills

• Strong strategic planning and technical leadership
• Excellent communication across technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences
• Programming in Python and/or R
• Experience with AWS cloud infrastructure and data governance
• Knowledge of FAIR data principles and scientific data management best practices

Education

• PhD or master’s degree in Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field

Additional Requirements

• Must be able to sit for long periods of time using a computer in a typical office environment