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Senior Director, AI & Data Science Solutions

Otsuka


Job Location:

Princeton, NJ - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 230720 - 230720
Posted: 7 October 2026 (Yesterday)
Application Deadline: 4 January 2027
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Job Summary

The Senior Director AI and Data Science Solutions will be a visionary and strategic leader responsible for defining and executing the AI Generative AI and Data Science solutions strategy across the entire R&D value chain with a deep knowledge of AI Generative AI and R&D Data R&D workflows clinical trial planning and execution. This role will empower scientific as well as business functionsincluding drug development clinical trials real-world data evidenceby delivering or building robust scalable and compliant AI and data science solutions across drug development and implementing advanced data AI and Generative AI (Gen AI) solutions.

As a senior technical leader the Senior Director will manage a high-performing team of AI and data scientists machine learning scientists and specialist developers to foster a culture of innovation and ensure the adoption of best-in-class AI solutions practices within a regulated pharmaceutical environment. The leader will bridge the gap between scientific ambition and technical execution translating complex R&D challenges into impactful data and AI solutions. The role will oversee a team manage resources and overall operation and execution of portfolio while collaborate with DSAI and DnA leadership internal and external partners to deliver high-quality data and analytic products.

The AI and Data Science Solutions team will focus on establishing and enhancing Otsukas Data and AI solutions foundations on top of the AI platform provided by Data and AI platform team in IT and working closely with AI and Data Engineering team in Data Science and AI function. This role will oversee team is a centralized capability and comprises of programmers full-stack AI and data scientist who work closely with other Data and Analytics AI engineers Data Engineers various roles in IT and other business functions.

Job Description

Strategy and Vision

  • Define and drive the strategic vision and roadmap for AI Gen AI capabilities solutions use cases and larger connected AI programs within R&D aligning with overall business objectives and scientific priorities.
  • Serve as a key thought leader and trusted advisor to senior R&D leadership on opportunities and risks related to AI and data technologies and Gen AI. Represent in key AI and Data solutions initiatives in Otsuka as needed.
  • Deliver leading edge AI solutions approaches effective enterprise AI and data strategy (specifically clinical operational and real-world data) robust and responsible AI/ML model development fit-for-purpose clinical development data stewardship strategies to enable key data insights to inform decision making and assist in business transformation initiatives.
  • Evaluate and adopt emerging data and AI technologies to create best-in-class scalable and robust AI solutions balancing new opportunities with the need for scalability reliability and regulatory compliance.

Execution and Technical Leadership

  • Lead and deliver the design development and pre-deployment of extensible and scalable AI solutions for complex R&D Data and solution architecture for AI applications to support all R&D data AI needs including structured unstructured (text imaging and data from sensors medical devices and digital apps) and real-time data.
  • Lead quick feasibilities of AI solutions with DSAI portfolio as well as act as an advisor to the rest of the organization on AI solutions pros and cons of approaches various solution architecture choices as needed.
  • Oversee the implementation of AI and Gen AI use cases from ideation to production deployment and application life cycle management working closely with AI and Data Engineering team. Hands on experience in architecting AI and Gen AI solutions foundation for a diverse set of AI solutions.
  • Lead and deliver data processing representations and AI solutions in R&D for applications ranging across: clinical trial optimization patient recruitment content authoring automation asset management pharmacovigilance quality regulatory and enterprise functions Real-World Data sensor and medical device data omics data.
  • Champion feasibility and AI Solutions best practices review AI solution architectures and data & AI observability to ensure technical consistency scalability and effective governance of AI engineering across the portfolio of oversight.
  • Architect and scale AI and ML practices for in house applications to support the entire model lifecyclefrom experimentation and deployment to monitoring and retrainingwhile ensuring automation and reproducibility.
  • Drive awareness of AI/ML applications and the importance of strong Data and AI engineering foundation across the organization
  • Provide technical and engineering support for Data and Information Governance quality and FAIR data

Team and Organizational Leadership

  • Build mentor and lead a high-performing and collaborative team of data scientists AI/ML scientists life cycle support.
  • Foster a culture of innovation continuous learning accountability cohesiveness and respect within and across teams and stakeholders.
  • Effectively manage the team budget resource allocation and project timelines for the data and AI Solutions portfolio.

Oversight and Governance

  • Ensure that all data and AI initiatives and applications adhere to internal governance standards data privacy regulations (e.g. GxP HIPAA) and responsible AI principles.
  • Collaborate with Legal and Compliance teams to embed auditability and traceability into AI and Gen AI workflows.
  • Serve as AI and Data Solutions expert for internal portfolio as well as organization wide initiatives reviews and AI committees.
  • Establish and manage robust monitoring alerting and incident response processes for all AI capabilities and solutions within the remit.
  • Effectively manage and provide oversight on vendors and vendor resources providing support to data and AI engineering portfolio
  • Lead or participate in meetings related to Data or AI its impact enablement governance determining or enabling roadmaps and strategy as needed.

Cross-functional Collaboration

  • Work closely with Data and AI Platform team and leverage platform level capabilities solutions provided by IT as well as share data and AI solution needs as well as guidance with respective providers (Data and AI platform IT infrastructure etc.)
  • Build strong trusted relationships with key stakeholders across R&D Scientific and Operations AI Data Science teams other DnA pillars IT and external partners.
  • Partner with R&D teams to translate complex scientific challenges into clear executable data and AI projects.
  • Communicate strategy progress and outcomes to diverse stakeholders including technical teams and executive leadership.
  • Lead as subject matter expert while communicating and collaborating effectively to ensure portfolio success.

Qualifications/ Required

Knowledge/ Experience and Skills:

  • 12 years of progressive leadership experience in data science AI/ML and Gen AI with at least 5 years in senior technical leadership or management roles with strong team management and development.
  • Strong and demonstrated experience in architecting building and maintaining large-scale data and AI solutions in a scientific regulated or research-heavy environment.
  • Strong experience working within the pharmaceutical biotech or life sciences industry particularly within R&D is highly desirable along with a deep understanding of AI and Machine Learning and its applications in Pharma.
  • Proven track record of implementing and deploying Gen AI and large language model (LLM) applications in production environments.
  • Creative problem solving using responsible use of technology.
  • Expertise in real-world data assets and using them to generate scientific evidence and guide operational effectiveness and efficiencies.
  • Deep expertise across data science representation Gen AI AI and machine learning techniques and experience in architecting and delivering AI/ML use cases.
  • Strong team leadership internal and cross-functional collaboration project management skills with a focus on delivering impactful initiatives.

Educational Qualifications

  • Masters in Mathematical Engineering or Scientific disciplines such as Computer Science Mathematics Engineering Physics Statistics or a related field with focus on advanced and modern Data Science including the use of AI and machine learning. PhD is strongly preferred.

Competencies
Accountability for Results - Stay focused on key strategic objectives be accountable for high standards of performance and take an active role in leading change.
Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving - Make decisions considering the long-term impact to customers patients employees and the business.
Patient & Customer Centricity - Maintain an ongoing focus on the needs of our customers and/or key stakeholders.
Impactful Communication -Communicate with logic clarity and respect. Influence at all levels to achieve the best results for Otsuka.
Respectful Collaboration - Seek and value others perspectives and strive for diverse partnerships to enhance work toward common goals.
Empowered Development - Play an active role in professional development as a business imperative.

Minimum $230720.00 - Maximum $345000.00 plus incentive opportunity: The range shown represents a typical pay range or starting pay for individuals who are hired in the role to perform in the United States. Other elements may be used to determine actual pay such as the candidates job experience specific skills and comparison to internal incumbents currently in role. Typically actual pay will be positioned within the established range rather than at its minimum or maximum. This information is provided to applicants in accordance with states and local laws.

Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 5 business days.

Company benefits: Comprehensive medical dental vision prescription drug coverage company provided basic life accidental death & dismemberment short-term and long-term disability insurance tuition reimbursement student loan assistance a generous 401(k) match flexible time off paid holidays and paid leave programs as well as other company provided benefits.

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Required Experience:

Exec