EVP Head of Global In Silico and AI (all genders)

Overview

The EVP, Head of Global In Silico and AI is a transformational executive leader responsible for shaping and executing Evotec’s global strategy for AI-driven in silico innovation in drug discovery. Leading cross-functional teams included within the In Silico Hub, as well as a Data Function, you will champion the integration of AI, computational science, and data-driven decision-making across the R&D continuum.

This is a high-impact, board-visible role with enterprise-wide influence — bridging science, technology, and strategy — to position Evotec at the forefront of AI-enabled drug discovery innovation.

As we reimagine how data and computation can accelerate drug discovery, this role is central to embedding AI and in silico methods as a core capability. You’ll lead the transformation from exploratory PoCs and a very scattered offering today to enterprise-scale solutions, building a unified digital backbone that fuels our competitive advantage on the market.

You'll work shoulder-to-shoulder with the global function leaders to ensure that AI and in silico science become key pillars of Evotec’s commercial value proposition.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and own the global AI and in silico strategy, aligned to Evotec’s scientific vision and growth trajectory.
• Establish a clear operating model that integrates data science, bioinformatics, AI / ML, and simulation across discovery and development stages.
• Represent Evotec’s in silico innovation at executive, board, partner, and public levels.
• Lead the evolution of the In Silico Hub from PoCs to scalable, end-to-end solutions for target ID, lead optimization, and translational science.
• Oversee deployment of AI / ML models, molecular simulations, and data integration pipelines across R&D.
• Advance use of multi-modal data, including omics, imaging, real-world data, and lab automation outputs.
• Build and lead a multidisciplinary center of excellence, combining in silico science, data strategy, and platform engineering.
• Guide the creation, implementation and evolution of a Data Function (incl. data governance, domain stewardship, data architecture, modeling, curation and product delivery) for united steering of data and use case delivery to create customer and client value; in close collaboration with a future Head of Data function.
• Foster a matrixed leadership model that provides strategic direction of in-silico expert teams within adjacent operations functions.
• Own the prioritization and resourcing model for AI / in-silico projects; serve as strategic gatekeeper through all innovation stages. Be responsible for long-term skills and capabilities demand management for in-silico / AI groups.
• Govern the lifecycle of in silico tools and ensure alignment with business impact and ROI.
• Partner closely with Translational Medicine, IT, Clinical, Regulatory, Operations, and Commercial teams to embed AI tools in workflows and GTM strategies.
• Evaluate market trends and industry signals to steer AI investment toward competitive advantage.
• Develop and select strategic partnerships. Lead external collaborations with academic institutions, AI providers, regulators, and digital consortia.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy, FAIR principles, and regulatory expectations (FDA, EMA) through leadership and delegating this task to required SME’s.
• Lead others to define and report KPIs to monitor performance, usage, and strategic value of in silico capabilities.

Knowledge & Experience

• Min. MA / MSc, or PhD in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, or related discipline
• 10+ years of experience in AI / in-silico roles within biotech / pharma, with proven executive-level leadership
• Strong background in computational drug discovery, including lead ID / optimization, translational modeling, or patient stratification
• Deep understanding of ML / AI technologies, systems biology, data integration, and scaling tools from concept to product
• Track record of building high-performing, cross-disciplinary teams
• Strategic thinker with strong stakeholder engagement skills and experience in matrixed global environments
• Recognized thought leader in AI for Life Sciences, with external visibility (publications, consortia, speaker roles)
• Additional Experience

Additional Experience

• Experience in platform architecture, data governance, and regulatory alignment
• Familiarity with FDA / EMA regulatory frameworks for in silico tools
• Expertise in cloud-native platforms (AWS, Azure), high-performance computing, or federated data environments
• Experience leading external partnerships (e.g., with startups, AI labs, or academic groups)
• Knowledge of FAIR data principles and ontologies
• Published in top-tier journals or patents in AI / in silico sciences

FR : Dans le cadre de sa politique Diversité, Evotec étudie, à compétences égales, toutes les candidatures dont celles des personnes en situation de handicap.

ENG : In the frame of our Diversity policy, Evotec considers, with equal competences, all applications including people with disabilities.