Director, Digital Technology - Data & AI

Mantell Associates; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Mantell Associates partners with a growing biotechnology organization to appoint a Director of Digital Technology, Data & AI. You will own the enterprise Data and AI strategy, establishing technology foundations, governance and operating models to support clinical development, regulatory, medical affairs, and commercial teams.

This is a strategic and hands-on leadership role shaping AI adoption across a scaling organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; advanced degree advantageous.
• Demonstrated experience defining enterprise Data & AI strategies and analytics operating models.
• Practical experience delivering enterprise AI and analytics solutions with measurable impact.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the organisation’s Data and AI strategy and roadmap.
• Identify and prioritise high-value AI and analytics use cases.
• Lead adoption of enterprise AI and productivity technologies.
• Design and deliver AI and analytics applications across regulatory, clinical, and commercial domains.
• Establish AI governance and frameworks with stakeholders.
• Define scalable data architecture integrating multiple data sources.
• Develop reporting and analytics capabilities for cross-functional visibility.
• Ensure solutions meet GxP, data integrity and validation requirements.
• Translate business requirements into data products and roadmaps.
• Establish delivery practices with governance and metrics.
• Collaborate with external vendors to scale solutions.
• Promote responsible AI through enablement initiatives.

Skills

Data strategy & governance

AI/ML in Life Sciences

Enterprise data architecture

Stakeholder management

Regulatory/compliance knowledge

Cloud platforms

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Life Sciences

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft 365 Copilot

ChatGPT Enterprise

Power BI

Azure/AWS

Databricks/Snowflake

Job description

Mantell Associates is partnered with a growing biotechnology organisation where Data, AI and digital technology are playing an increasingly important role in supporting clinical development and future commercial readiness. They are seeking a Director of Digital Technology - Data & AI to join their leadership team.

In this Director-level position, you will take ownership of the organisation’s enterprise Data and AI strategy, establishing the technology, governance and operating foundations required to support clinical, regulatory, medical affairs, commercial and executive teams.

This is both a strategic and hands-on leadership role, offering the opportunity to shape how AI and data are adopted across a scaling organisation. You will work closely with senior stakeholders, business functions, technology teams and external partners to deliver practical solutions that improve productivity, operational visibility, cycle times and decision-making.

Director of Digital Technology, Data & AI - Responsibilities:

• Define and lead the organisation’s enterprise Data and AI strategy and roadmap, aligning technology priorities with business objectives, clinical development and commercial readiness.
• Identify and prioritise high-value AI, Generative AI and analytics use cases, assessing opportunities based on business impact, feasibility, organisational readiness and risk.
• Lead the adoption of enterprise AI and productivity technologies, including solutions such as Microsoft 365 Copilot, ChatGPT Enterprise and other approved AI platforms, helping teams use these tools effectively and responsibly.
• Design and deliver practical AI and analytics applications across areas such as regulatory document preparation, scientific and business writing, clinical operations, proactive monitoring, site engagement, SOP and policy development, contract review and internal knowledge management.
• Establish appropriate AI governance and responsible-use frameworks, partnering with Quality, Legal, Information Security and business stakeholders to ensure solutions meet security, privacy, compliance and data integrity requirements.
• Define and implement a scalable enterprise data architecture and technology foundation, integrating internal and external data across clinical, regulatory, medical affairs, commercial, finance and operational functions.
• Develop reporting and analytics capabilities that improve visibility across clinical trial performance, regulatory readiness, medical affairs activities, commercial and launch preparation, and executive decision-making.
• Ensure relevant Data and AI solutions are designed to meet the expectations of a regulated Life Sciences environment, including GxP, data integrity, validation and inspection readiness where applicable.
• Act as the link between business functions and technology, translating complex requirements into effective data products, analytics solutions, AI capabilities and implementation roadmaps.
• Establish effective Data and AI delivery practices, including project intake, portfolio prioritisation, governance processes, success metrics and delivery standards, ensuring investment remains focused on measurable business outcomes.
• Partner with external technology providers and vendors where appropriate, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure and aligned with the organisation’s wider technology strategy.
• Help build a culture of responsible AI adoption by developing appropriate enablement initiatives, which may include AI training, internal champion networks, prompt libraries, knowledge sharing and governance forums.

Director of Digital Technology, Data & AI - Requirements:

• 10+ years of progressive experience across Data, Analytics, Digital Technology, Artificial Intelligence or enterprise technology platforms, ideally within biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, Life Sciences or another regulated industry.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Life Sciences or a related discipline, with an advanced degree considered advantageous.
• Demonstrated experience defining and implementing enterprise Data and AI strategies, including data platforms, reporting capabilities, governance frameworks and analytics operating models.
• Practical experience implementing Generative AI, enterprise AI assistants, machine learning, automation or advanced analytics solutions that have delivered measurable improvements in productivity, quality, operational efficiency or business decision-making.
• Understand how to move AI beyond experimentation and into practical enterprise adoption, with experience supporting initiatives such as responsible AI programmes, governance committees, AI champion networks, prompt libraries or employee enablement programmes.
• Familiar with enterprise AI and productivity platforms such as Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Studio, ChatGPT Enterprise, knowledge-management solutions and AI-enabled workflow technologies, or comparable tools.
• Experience working with modern cloud data and analytics platforms, which may include Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, Databricks, Snowflake, AWS or similar technologies.
• Strong understanding of data architecture, data integration, analytics and governance, with the ability to design solutions that can scale as an organisation grows.
• Familiar with regulated Life Sciences technology requirements, including GxP, 21 CFR Part 11, EU Annex 11, data integrity expectations, computer system validation and audit-ready documentation.
• Comfortable operating as both a strategic leader and hands-on practitioner, capable of setting the direction for Data and AI while remaining closely involved in delivery.
• Skilled at translating business requirements into practical technical solutions and can communicate effectively with stakeholders across clinical, regulatory, medical, commercial, technology and executive functions.

Mantell Associates is a specialist Pharmaceutical and Life Science headhunting firm. For more information on this opportunity, contact us at [phone].