DS&AI Program Operations & Engagement Specialist

R Dpartners; Reading; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

R Dpartners is seeking a DS&AI Program Operations & Engagement Specialist to drive adoption of data science and AI initiatives across Pharma R&D. You will partner with senior leadership to enable transparency, align programs, and accelerate value delivery in a fast-moving, regulated environment.

This senior individual contributor role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, agile delivery, and effective stakeholder engagement, with fluency in English and the ability to balance strategic

Qualifications

• Senior-level experience in program operations, portfolio coordination, or managing complex initiatives within digital, data analytics, or technology environments.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with confidence in working with cross-functional teams and interacting with leadership.
• Experience in agile or hybrid delivery environments, collaborating with product teams and agile coaches.
• Structured and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage complexity effectively.
• Strong communication skills to inform, align, and educate diverse audiences.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken).
• Ability to balance strategic context with hands-on operational execution.
• Demonstrated expertise in providing stability, continuity, and clarity in fast-moving AI and data environments.

Responsibilities

• Maintain execution rhythms and assist with planning, prioritization, and dependency tracking for Digital Council and Digital Analytics Council initiatives.
• Deliver complex cross-functional initiatives and special projects requiring structured problem-solving and team alignment.
• Refine operating models and collaboration frameworks to improve ways of working.
• Build trusted relationships with project teams and practitioners to align priorities and operational updates.
• Collaborate with teams and SMEs to support effective planning and continuous improvement.
• Execute communications strategies to ensure consistent narratives, clear messaging, and effective engagement across R&D.
• Develop communication cadences and engagement models to inform and educate stakeholders on DS&AI capabilities, progress, and value.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional

Agile delivery

Communication

Strategic thinking

Job description

Ready to drive the adoption of Data Science and AI across a world-leading biotech organisation and help shape the future of Pharma R&D?

R&D Partners is seeking a DS&AI Program Operations & Engagement Specialist to support the alignment and adoption of Data Science & AI initiatives within a leading biotechnology company. This role is pivotal in driving transparency, informed decision-making, and effective engagement across Pharma R&D. Operating as a senior individual contributor, you will work closely with leadership to enable transformational changes in how the workforce adopts and understands data science and AI.

Please note that to be considered for this role you must have the right to work in this location.

Responsibilities:

Portfolio Operations:

• Maintain execution rhythms and assist with planning, prioritization, and dependency tracking for Digital Council and Digital Analytics Council initiatives.
• Deliver complex cross-functional initiatives and special projects requiring structured problem-solving and team alignment.

Operational Effectiveness:

• Refine operating models and collaboration frameworks to improve ways of working.
• Build trusted relationships with project teams and practitioners to align priorities and operational updates.
• Collaborate with teams and SMEs to support effective planning and continuous improvement.

Communications & Engagement:

• Execute communications strategies to ensure consistent narratives, clear messaging, and effective engagement across R&D.
• Develop communication cadences and engagement models to inform and educate stakeholders on DS&AI capabilities, progress, and value.
• Engage stakeholders to understand unmet needs and facilitate the creation of AI learning materials.

Key Skills and Requirements:

• Senior-level experience in program operations, portfolio coordination, or managing complex initiatives within digital, data analytics, or technology environments.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with confidence in working with cross-functional teams and interacting with leadership.
• Experience in agile or hybrid delivery environments, collaborating with product teams and agile coaches.
• Structured and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage complexity effectively.
• Strong communication skills to inform, align, and educate diverse audiences.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken).
• Ability to balance strategic context with hands‑on operational execution.
• Demonstrated expertise in providing stability, continuity, and clarity in fast‑moving AI and data environments.

For more information, please contact Grant Van Schalkwyk.

By submitting this application, you confirm that you’ve read and understood our privacy policy, which informs you how we process and safeguard your data - https://www.r-dpartners.com/privacy-policy/