Head of Data, AI & Tech Platform

Terrana Biosciences; North East; On-site; GBP 133,740 - 193,180; Full time

Job summary

Terrana Biosciences in Durham, NC (strongly preferred) or Cambridge, MA, seeks a Director, Data Technology to build and lead data engineering, IT, software and ML/AI capabilities across the company. You will translate stakeholder needs into strategic projects and drive reliable delivery.

Reporting to the VP Strategy and Operations, you will manage a team of 3-5 and coordinate vendors, establish governance, and ensure secure, scalable data systems that enable scientific and business outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, data engineering, information systems, bioinformatics or related discipline; an advanced degree or equivalent professional experience is preferred
• 10+ years of progressive experience across data engineering, software, digital platforms, ML/AI enablement or IT
• Demonstrated success developing and executing a technical strategy
• Proven ability to manage direct reports, as well as consultants and service providers
• Strong technical grounding in cloud-based data architecture and engineering, including data modeling, databases, ETL/ELT pipelines, APIs, integrations, accesscontrolsand observability; AWS experience is preferred
• Experience deploying and operating production software and ML/AI-enabled workflows
• Working knowledge of enterprise IT operations, cybersecurity, identity and access management,andSaaS administration
• Experience supporting scientific, R&D or other technically complex workflows
• Consistenttrack recordof delivering high-quality outcomes on time and to specification
• Excellent leadership presence, communication and stakeholder-management skills
• Experience with Benchling or another LIMS
• Experience applying generative AI, workflow automation or AI-native tools

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a company-wide data strategy and associated execution plan in support of Terrana's strategic priorities
• Lead, coach and manage a multidisciplinary team of 3-5 direct reports, with additional oversight of contractors, consultants and service providers. Establish clear roles, goals, development plans and performance expectations, and create a culture of ownership, collaboration, technical excellence and reliable delivery
• Convert stakeholder needs into well-defined projects; ensuring work is delivered on time and to specification
• Lead the evolution of Terrana's data architecture and engineering capabilities, including cloud data platforms, data models, pipelines,APIs and integrations across all systems. Ensure FAIR data
• Establish and enforce appropriate data governance, security and lifecycle policies and practices
• Partner with software engineers, ML/AI scientists, computational biologists and domain scientists to deploy software and models into dependable production workflows. Oversee integration, testing, validation, versioning, CI/CD or MLOps, observability and ongoing performance management
• Oversee bespoke software development and workflow automation where required, following clear build/buy/partner evaluations
• Provide reliable and secure IT services through internal resources and external providers, including identity and access, endpoints, business applications, service support, and cybersecurity
• Serve as the primary senior-leadership interface for the Data function, engaging leadership on strategy, execution progress, decisions, tradeoffs, risks and resource needs, and establishment of steering and decision forums
• Monitor, troubleshoot and optimize systems and services

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Data strategy

Cloud data architecture

Software coordination

AI/ML deployment

Cybersecurity awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science, data engineering, information systems, bioinformatics or related discipline

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

AWS

CI/CD

MLOps

LIMS

Data modeling

Job description

Terrana Biosciences in Durham, NC (strongly preferred) or Cambridge, MA, seeks a Director, Data Technology to build and lead data engineering, IT, software and ML/AI capabilities across the company. You will translate stakeholder needs into strategic projects and drive reliable delivery.

Reporting to the VP Strategy and Operations, you will manage a team of 3-5 and coordinate vendors, establish governance, and ensure secure, scalable data systems that enable scientific and business outcomes.