Director, AI Transformation

Emerald Clinical Trials Inc.; Madrid; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Compensation

Flexible Working

Career Development

Global Exposure

Collaborative Culture

Meaningful Impact

Employee Wellbeing

Job summary

Emerald Clinical Trials seeks a Director, AI Transformation to lead enterprise-wide AI adoption, aligning AI initiatives with business goals and regulatory standards. You will partner with executives across Clinical Operations, Biometrics, Quality, Regulatory, Finance, HR, and IT to deliver AI-driven value and governance.

The role requires a strategic leader with hands-on execution capability, capable of driving change, managing vendors, and shaping the organization's AI roadmap for sustainable

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading digital transformation or AI initiatives.
• Proven success developing AI strategies at an organizational level.
• Strong understanding of modern AI technologies including LLMs, automation, and intelligent workflows.
• Experience with cloud platforms, preferably Microsoft Azure.
• Experience in regulated industries such as healthcare, life sciences, or CRO contexts.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Emerald Clinical's enterprise AI and Generative AI strategy and roadmap.
• Identify, assess, and prioritize AI use cases across functions to maximize value.
• Lead AI transformation initiatives from concept through governance and value realization.
• Partner with executives to align AI with strategic objectives and priorities.
• Establish frameworks for AI governance, risk management, security, privacy, and ethics.
• Provide oversight on AI architecture, platforms, integration, and standards.
• Collaborate with Quality, Compliance, Security, and Legal to meet regulatory requirements.
• Drive change management to improve AI adoption and engagement.
• Build internal AI capabilities and reduce external dependencies through knowledge transfer.
• Evaluate and manage AI vendors and technology providers.
• Monitor emerging AI tech and identify opportunities for innovation.
• Establish KPIs to measure business impact of AI investments.
• Lead cross-functional teams across stakeholders and partners.
• Promote a culture of innovation and responsible AI adoption.

Skills

AI strategy leadership

Enterprise AI transformation

AI governance & compliance

Stakeholder management

Change management

Cloud platforms (Azure)

Executive communication

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/CS/Engineering/Business

Tools

Azure

Job description

Who We Are

Emerald Clinical Trials is a global leader in clinical research, partnering with over 160 biotech companies and 15 of the world's top 20 pharmaceutical firms. Headquartered in Singapore, we combine scientific excellence with operational expertise to deliver end-to-end clinical trial solutions across all phases, including Phase I-IV and real-world studies.

With over 25 years of experience and a world-renowned focus in renal research, Emerald Clinical has helped drive medical breakthroughs through deep scientific insight, operational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to quality.

Global Expertise. Local Insight. Real Impact. Our 800+ employees across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Americas work together to accelerate clinical development through stronger site partnerships, deeper patient engagement, and innovative trial delivery. At Emerald Clinical, we are passionate about advancing science and improving outcomes for patients worldwide.

About The Role

The Director, AI Transformation is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving Emerald Clinical's enterprise-wide adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI technologies. This position will lead the development and execution of the organization's AI strategy, ensuring AI capabilities are aligned with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and operational priorities.

Working closely with executive leadership and key stakeholders across Clinical Operations, Biometrics, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Commercial, Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology, the Director will identify, prioritize, and deliver AI-driven initiatives that enhance productivity, improve decision-making, strengthen compliance, and support business growth.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced transformation leader who combines strong technical expertise with executive-level business acumen and is passionate about leveraging emerging technologies to create lasting organizational impact.

Your Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Emerald Clinical's enterprise AI and Generative AI strategy and roadmap.
• Identify, assess, and prioritize AI use cases across business functions to maximize operational efficiency and business value.
• Lead AI transformation initiatives from concept through implementation, adoption, governance, and value realization.
• Partner with executive stakeholders to align AI solutions with strategic business objectives and organizational priorities.
• Establish frameworks for AI governance, risk management, security, privacy, and ethical use of AI technologies.
• Provide oversight and guidance on AI architecture, platform selection, integration approaches, and technical standards.
• Collaborate with Quality, Compliance, Security, and Legal teams to ensure AI initiatives meet applicable regulatory and GxP requirements.
• Drive organizational change management efforts to improve AI adoption and user engagement.
• Build internal AI capabilities and reduce dependency on external consulting resources through knowledge transfer and capability development.
• Evaluate and manage AI vendors, partners, and external technology providers.
• Monitor emerging AI technologies, market trends, and industry best practices to identify innovation opportunities.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and success metrics to measure the business impact of AI investments.
• Lead cross-functional teams consisting of business stakeholders, technical specialists, and external partners.
• Promote a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and responsible AI adoption throughout the organization.
• Present strategy updates, recommendations, and project outcomes to senior leadership and executive stakeholders.

About You

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience leading digital transformation, enterprise technology, or AI-focused initiatives.
• Demonstrated success developing and implementing AI and Generative AI strategies at an organizational level.
• Strong understanding of modern AI technologies, including large language models (LLMs), machine learning, AI agents, automation platforms, and intelligent workflows.
• Experience working with cloud-based AI platforms, preferably within the Microsoft Azure ecosystem.
• Proven ability to translate complex technical concepts into business-focused solutions and outcomes.
• Experience managing enterprise-wide change initiatives and driving technology adoption across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong knowledge of AI governance, security, privacy, compliance, and risk management principles.
• Experience operating within regulated industries such as healthcare, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or CRO environments is highly desirable.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills, including experience working with executive leadership teams.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex, high-visibility projects.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to evaluate investment opportunities and measure business value.
• Experience managing third-party vendors, consulting partners, and technology suppliers.
• A strategic mindset combined with a practical, hands-on approach to execution and delivery.

Why Join Us?

At our core, Emerald Clinical is committed to transforming clinical research by putting people first, both patients and our employees. Joining Emerald means becoming part of a global team dedicated to delivering better research and better healthcare outcomes.

Here’s What Makes Us Stand Out

• Purpose-Driven Work: Help shape the future of clinical research through the responsible adoption of AI technologies that improve efficiency, quality, and patient outcomes.
• Global Reach, Local Expertise: Collaborate with industry experts across multiple regions while making a global impact.
• Innovation at Scale: Lead strategic AI initiatives that influence how a growing global CRO operates and delivers value to sponsors and patients.
• Executive Visibility: Partner directly with senior leaders and contribute to key business decisions and transformation programs.
• Scientific Excellence: Join an organization recognized for delivering high-quality clinical research solutions to leading biotech and pharmaceutical companies.

What We Offer

We believe exceptional work happens when people feel valued and supported. That's why we offer:

• Competitive Compensation: Salary and benefits package aligned with your skills and experience.
• Flexible Working: Remote or hybrid working options dependent on location and business requirements.
• Career Development: Access to learning opportunities, leadership development programs, and global career pathways.
• Employee Wellbeing: Initiatives designed to support work‑life balance, health, and engagement.
• Global Exposure: Work with international teams and stakeholders driving transformative technology initiatives across the organization.
• Collaborative Culture: A supportive environment where innovation, expertise, and continuous improvement are encouraged and recognized.
• Meaningful Impact: Shape Emerald Clinical's AI journey and influence the future of technology-enabled clinical research.

Emerald Clinical is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.