Director, Data Science Operations – Early Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism

AstraZeneca plc; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 182,000 - 272,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc in Boston, MA, seeks a Director of Data Science Operations for Early CVRM to lead data capabilities, operating models, and portfolio execution across global sites. You will steer cross-functional teams and shape scientifically impactful delivery using AI-enabled approaches.

The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on data workflows, including multi-omics data, cloud environments, and governance. Strong collaboration with R&D and executive leadership is essential.

Qualifications

• PhD in a quantitative or life science discipline or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of experience in scientific data analysis, bioinformatics, or informatics.
• 5+ years leading interdisciplinary data teams across geographies.
• Experience building and operating data platforms for internal/external users.
• Advanced program and project management for scientific/technical teams.
• Hands-on multi-omics, clinical data processing, metadata and cloud data.
• Experience using AI to optimize team workflows and data delivery.
• Data governance, sharing and access policy experience.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and translate between science, clinical, data and tech.

Responsibilities

• Set the operating model and data capabilities for the Early CVRM Data Science & AI organization.
• Own integrated portfolio view delivery risk and resource trade-offs across projects.
• Establish governance and ways of working to accelerate delivery across sites.
• Mentor and develop a globally distributed data science team with matrix leadership.
• Lead scalable, agile multi-site operating model and ensure accountability.
• Champion code review, reproducible workflows and documentation.
• Build trusted partnerships with project teams and functional leaders.
• Provide strategic counsel on portfolio priorities and enterprise dependencies.
• Lead data management initiatives: storage, metadata, cataloguing and access.
• Define technology and AI adoption strategy to boost productivity and impact.
• Provide senior technical direction and hands-on support when needed.

Skills

Years of experience

Team leadership

Data platforms

Program & project management

Multi-omics & clinical data

AI for workflow optimization

Data governance & sharing

Stakeholder influence

Autonomy & ambiguity navigation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

PhD in quantitative or life science

Job description

Job Title: Director, Data Science Operations – Early Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism

Location: Boston, MA

At AstraZeneca, we put patients first and strive to meet their unmet needs worldwide. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality. If you are swift to action, confident to lead, willing to collaborate, and curious about what science can do, then you’re our kind of person.

Recognizing the importance of individualized flexibility, our ways of working allow employees to balance personal and work commitments while ensuring we continue to create a strong culture of collaboration and teamwork by engaging face-to-face in our offices 3 days a week. Our head office is purposely designed with collaboration in mind, providing space where teams can come together to strategize, brainstorm and connect on key projects.

Our dedication to sustainability is also central to our culture and part of what makes AstraZeneca a great place to work. We know the health of people, the planet and our business are interconnected which is why we’re taking ambitious action to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time, from climate change to access to healthcare and disease prevention.

Introduction to Role

The Early CVRM (Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism) Data Science & AI team connects human data, disease biology and advanced analytics to inform portfolio decisions from target discovery through clinical development. The team works with complex data from early clinical trials, external academic collaborations and exploratory studies, rich in omics, imaging and clinical measurements.

We are hiring a Director, Data Science Operations to provide operational leadership for the operating model, portfolio delivery and data capabilities of the Early CVRM Data Science & AI organisation. Operating in a global matrix, this role will mobilize cross-functional partners to deliver shared outcomes across Boston and Cambridge, US; Cambridge, UK; and Gothenburg, Sweden. The role provides scientific and technical leadership across multiple collaborations, dependencies, governance decisions and technical workstreams. A core focus is to optimize how the organization works through AI-enabled approaches, including the orchestration of agentic AI.

Accountabilities

Program leadership and delivery

• Set the operational model and data capabilities for the Early CVRM Data Science & AI, translating it into a value-led portfolio of priorities, delivery plans and measurable scientific outcomes.
• Own the integrated portfolio view delivery risk and capacity to shape resource trade-offs and sequencing across projects.
• Establish cross-functional governance and ways of working that accelerate high-quality delivery, resolve dependencies and maximize portfolio value across sites and organizational boundaries.
• Anticipate and resolve delivery constraints, escalating material trade-offs and guiding timely decisions that protect scientific impact, quality and speed.

Team leadership

• Mentor, inspire and develop a globally distributed, interdisciplinary team of data scientists and informaticians, while providing matrix leadership across partner teams and sites to ensure collective accountability for delivery.
• Establish and lead a scalable, agile multi-site operating model with clear decision rights, accountabilities, priorities and capacity visibility, continuously improving productivity and performance across Data Science & AI and matrix teams.
• Champion professional standards and best practices such as code review, reproducible workflows and documentation.

Stakeholder partnership

• Build trusted partnerships with project teams and functional leaders across Early CVRM and R&D to align demand with portfolio priorities, focus resources on the highest-value scientific opportunities and engage data science at the point of greatest impact.
• Provide strategic counsel and evidence-based recommendations to the Executive Director and Early CVRM leadership on portfolio priorities, investment choices, resource trade-offs and enterprise-level dependencies.

Data operations

• Lead the implementation of data management initiatives, including data storage, metadata, cataloguing and access, in partnership with central IT, the R&D Data Office and data owners.
• Translate scientific needs into data requirements and working processes for bringing in, documenting and accessing data from trials, collaborations and other sources.

Technology and AI

• Define and own the technology and AI adoption strategy, prioritizing scalable capabilities that increase productivity, accelerate high-quality decisions and amplify scientific impact across the portfolio.
• Provide senior technical direction and selective expert oversight as well as contribute hands‑on to data workflows, pipelines and analyses where it accelerates delivery.

Essential Skills/Experience

• PhD in a quantitative or life science discipline, or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of experience in scientific data analysis, bioinformatics, or informatics.
• 5+ years of experience leading interdisciplinary scientific, software engineering and data teams, with demonstrated accountability for outcomes delivered across multiple teams, functions and geographies in a matrix organization.
• Experience leading the development and operation of data platforms for internal and external user groups. Track record of coordinating data collection, curation, harmonization, and processing
• Advanced program and project management capabilities, including establishing agile, iterative delivery practices for scientific and technical teams.
• Hands‑on understanding of multi‑omics and clinical data, processing pipelines, metadata and data quality, and cloud data environments.
• Demonstrated experience using AI to optimize team workflows and delivery, including the orchestration of agentic AI solutions.
• Experience developing and applying data governance, data sharing and access policies for research and patient data.
• Demonstrated ability to strategically influence senior cross‑functional stakeholders and to translate between scientific, clinical, data and technology teams.
• Ability to operate with autonomy and navigate ambiguity

Where can I find out more?

• Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/
• Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/
• Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/astrazeneca_careers/?hl=en
• Our US Footprint: Powering Scientific Innovation - YouTube

The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $181,570 to $272,355. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short‑term incentive bonuses, equity‑based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

Date Posted
23-Oct-2026

Closing Date
29-Oct-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.