AI Program Operations & Engagement Lead

Cpl; Reading; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

CPL in Reading is seeking an experienced DS/AI Program Operations & Engagement Lead to drive the adoption of Data Science and AI across a global Pharma R&D organisation. You will coordinate delivery, engage senior leadership, and enable change across multiple AI initiatives.

Working with senior leadership, product teams, and cross-functional stakeholders, you will bring structure, transparency, and coordination to a growing portfolio.

Qualifications

• Strong background in Program Operations, PMO, Portfolio Coordination, Business Operations, or Change & Engagement roles.
• Experience supporting complex digital, data, analytics, or technology programmes.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with experience engaging senior leadership teams.
• Experience within Agile or hybrid delivery environments.
• Ability to bring structure and organisation to fast-paced, evolving programmes.
• Strong facilitation, planning, and coordination skills.
• Previous exposure to Data, Analytics, AI, or Digital Transformation initiatives is highly desirable.
• Experience within Pharma, Life Sciences, or R&D environments would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and support the operational delivery of a portfolio of Data Science & AI initiatives across Pharma R&D.
• Facilitate planning, prioritisation, governance activities, and dependency management across multiple workstreams.
• Drive stakeholder engagement and communication activities to increase awareness and adoption of AI and data science capabilities.
• Develop and manage communication cadences, leadership updates, presentations, and engagement materials.
• Partner with project teams, SMEs, and leadership to ensure alignment, transparency, and effective ways of working.
• Support the continuous improvement of operating models, collaboration frameworks, and delivery processes.
• Gather stakeholder feedback and identify learning or communication needs to support AI adoption across the organisation.
• Help create clear, consistent messaging around DS&AI strategy, progress, and business value.

Skills

Program Operations

Portfolio Coordination

Stakeholder management

Agile delivery

Job description

We are looking for an experienced DS&AI Program Operations & Engagement Lead to support the successful adoption of Data Science and AI initiatives across a global Pharma R&D organisation. This role sits at the intersection of program operations, stakeholder engagement, communications, and change enablement, helping to drive awareness, understanding, and effective delivery of AI and data science capabilities across the business.

Working closely with senior leadership, product teams, and cross-functional stakeholders, you will bring structure, transparency, and coordination to a growing portfolio of Data Science & AI initiatives. You will play a key role in ensuring teams remain aligned, informed, and engaged while supporting operational excellence across the function.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and support the operational delivery of a portfolio of Data Science & AI initiatives across Pharma R&D.
• Facilitate planning, prioritisation, governance activities, and dependency management across multiple workstreams.
• Drive stakeholder engagement and communication activities to increase awareness and adoption of AI and data science capabilities.
• Develop and manage communication cadences, leadership updates, presentations, and engagement materials.
• Partner with project teams, SMEs, and leadership to ensure alignment, transparency, and effective ways of working.
• Support the continuous improvement of operating models, collaboration frameworks, and delivery processes.
• Gather stakeholder feedback and identify learning or communication needs to support AI adoption across the organisation.
• Help create clear, consistent messaging around DS&AI strategy, progress, and business value.

Required Experience

• Strong background in Program Operations, PMO, Portfolio Coordination, Business Operations, or Change & Engagement roles.
• Experience supporting complex digital, data, analytics, or technology programmes.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with experience engaging senior leadership teams.
• Experience within Agile or hybrid delivery environments.
• Ability to bring structure and organisation to fast-paced, evolving programmes.
• Strong facilitation, planning, and coordination skills.
• Previous exposure to Data, Analytics, AI, or Digital Transformation initiatives is highly desirable.
• Experience within Pharma, Life Sciences, or R&D environments would be advantageous.