Director Information Systems – AI & Data

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated; California; On-site; USD 220,000 - 265,000; Full time

Job summary

Ligand Pharmaceuticals seeks a senior technology leader to direct information systems, data, analytics, and AI strategy reporting to the CFO. The role partners with executives to prioritize investments, strengthen governance, drive adoption, and measure business impact in a life sciences setting.

This position may be based in San Diego or Boston, with responsibilities spanning AI initiatives, data architecture, security, and vendor management to deliver scalable, compliant technology solutions

Qualifications

• 12+ years in information systems, data, analytics, AI with 7+ years in leadership.
• Bachelor’s degree; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience leading a small team while contributing as an IC is preferred.
• Deep knowledge of data strategy, architecture, governance, analytics, and security.
• Hands-on leadership of AI including generative AI and ML.
• Experience with enterprise cloud platforms (Azure or AWS).
• Familiar with life sciences regulatory and quality/compliance.
• Proven ability to influence across functions and communicate with senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an integrated information systems, data, analytics, and AI strategy.
• Advise senior leadership on technology investments and related risks.
• Partner with business leaders to deliver practical solutions with measurable impact.
• Lead AI initiatives end-to-end from business case to scale.
• Establish responsible AI practices including governance and privacy.
• Oversee data governance, architecture, pipelines, and access.
• Ensure security, resilience, and compliance across platforms.
• Develop budgets, roadmaps, and vendor management.

Skills

Leadership

Data strategy

AI/ML

Cloud platforms

Governance

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Azure

AWS

Job description

Ligand Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing or acquiring technologies that help pharmaceutical companies develop medicines. Ligand's business model is built around creating and acquiring royalty-generating assets, partnering with a broad range of pharmaceutical and biotech companies to advance drug development programs, and generating long-term, diversified royalty revenue.

Culture Statement

Ligand has a culture that reflects its distinctive position as Biopharma's Technology and Capital Partner, combining entrepreneurial biotechnology innovation with the analytical rigor required for sophisticated investment decisions. The organization values independent thinking, intellectual honesty and initiative. Professionals are expected to be direct but polite, curious, and able to navigate complexity.Team members possess exceptional analytical capabilities, applying technical knowledge and numerical fluency to deliver results based on hard work and an unwavering focus on outcomes.

What distinguishes Ligand is the ability to balance short-term execution with long-term strategic vision, encouraging insightful analysis and independent thinking that sometimes leads to contrarian positions. It allows Ligand to identify valuable opportunities before they gain broad market recognition and pursue superior risk-adjusted returns. The company values external awareness, agility, and responsiveness. Ligand expects team members to develop industry knowledge and relationships that lead to new opportunities and deliver results.

While we seek individual excellence, the culture emphasizes collaboration in the pursuit of exceptional outcomes. Our mission is important to patients, as we fund and invest in life-changing drugs that deliver highly positive impact to severe and life-threatening diseases. Ligand seeks motivated individuals ready to apply analytical skills, navigate complexity, and contribute to shaping biotechnology's future through strategic partnerships and capital investment.

ROLE PURPOSE

Lead Ligand’s information systems, data, analytics, and artificial intelligence strategy and execution reporting to the CFO. This role converts business needs into secure, scalable technology and data solutions that improve productivity, decision-making, risk management, and long-term value creation. The position partners with senior leaders and functional teams to prioritize investments, strengthen governance, drive adoption, and measure business impact.

Work Location

This position may be based in either San Diego, CA, or Boston, MA.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an integrated information systems, data, analytics, and AI strategy aligned with Ligand’s business priorities and growth objectives.
• Advise senior leadership on technology investments, enterprise platforms, automation, analytics, emerging technologies, and related risks.
• Partner with business leaders to identify, prioritize, and deliver practical solutions with measurable operational and financial impact.

AI, Automation & Analytics

• Lead the full lifecycle of AI, automation, and analytics initiatives, from business case and pilot through implementation, adoption, monitoring, and scale.
• Establish responsible AI practices covering model development, security, privacy, legal review, governance, and appropriate use.
• Build organizational capability and adoption through clear change management, training, and user-centered implementation.
• Define and report metrics for adoption, performance, return on investment, and business outcomes.

Data Strategy, Governance & Architecture

• Establish fit-for-purpose data governance standards for data quality, classification, ownership, access, lineage, metadata, retention, security, and compliance.
• Assess the current data and analytics environment and define a scalable target architecture that supports reporting, advanced analytics, and AI.
• Oversee data models, integration patterns, data pipelines, storage solutions, and data products to ensure reliable and efficient access to information.
• Advance self-service reporting and analytics while maintaining appropriate controls and data integrity.
• Lead or support the selection, implementation, integration, optimization, and adoption of enterprise platforms across finance, investments, customer relationship management, human resources, legal, reporting, collaboration, and analytics.
• Partner with infrastructure, cybersecurity, and enterprise architecture resources to ensure solutions are secure, resilient, interoperable, and aligned with technology standards.
• Oversee monitoring, availability, performance, and continuous improvement for data and AI platforms.
• Oversee or coordinate technology risk, cybersecurity, data protection, business continuity, disaster recovery, and incident response activities.
• Ensure technology, data, and AI practices support applicable privacy, regulatory, quality, and compliance requirements, including the needs of a life sciences organization.
• Support technology and cybersecurity due diligence for investments, acquisitions, portfolio companies, and new business initiatives.
• Build and lead internal and external capabilities across AI, data governance, architecture, engineering, business intelligence, enterprise systems, and support.
• Develop and manage budgets, roadmaps, resource plans, and delivery priorities for technology, data, and AI initiatives.
• Manage vendor strategy, due diligence, contracting, performance, service levels, and cost effectiveness.
• Communicate strategy, progress, risks, recommendations, and results clearly to senior leadership and business stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive experience in information systems, data, analytics, AI, or related technology roles, including at least 7 years in leadership positions.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience in a lean organization, with the ability to lead a small team while also contributing at a hands-on individual contributor level, is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing enterprise-scale data solutions, AI applications, automation, and modern cloud-based platforms such as Azure or AWS.
• Deep working knowledge of data strategy, architecture, engineering, governance, advanced analytics, data modeling, integration, database management, and data security.
• Recent hands-on leadership of AI implementation, including generative AI, machine learning, large language models, or intelligent automation. Experience building an internal AI assistant or similar enterprise tool is preferred.
• Experience introducing new technology capabilities through structured change management, adoption planning, training, and measurement.
• Experience in life sciences and familiarity with regulated functions such as quality, regulatory, compliance, and FDA-related requirements preferred.
• Proven ability to influence across functions, simplify complex issues, make sound decisions, and communicate effectively with senior leaders and technical teams.
• Strong vendor, budget, program, and team leadership capabilities.

Success in the Role

A clear, prioritized technology, data, and AI roadmap tied to business needs.

Secure, reliable, and scalable systems and data platforms.

Practical AI and automation solutions that are adopted and produce measurable value.

Stronger data quality, governance, reporting, and decision support.

Disciplined investment, vendor performance, risk management, and transparent communication.

Benefits and Compensation

• Compensation
• The expected salary range for this position is $220,000 - $265,000 Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors.
• Annual incentive bonus
• Generous equity package

The company offers competitive benefits including flexible work schedule, medical, dental, vision, Short/Long term disability and life insurance, as well as 401(k) match, Stock Options, Bonus, and paid time leave.

Additional Information

• All new hires are required to go through a background and reference check
• Ligand is an EEO/AA/Disability/Vets employer
• Must be legally authorized to work in the US without sponsorship
• Ligand celebrates the diversity of life and welcomes all individuals to apply

Ligand proudly complies with the Americans with Disability Act of 1990, and as such, provides the details relating to the physical, environmental conditions and workplace demands of working at Ligand are available from Human Resources.

Please Note

Resumes submitted in response to this job description will not be accepted through third-party recruiting firms or staffing agencies. All applications must be submitted directly by individual candidates. Unsolicited resumes from recruiters will be considered the property of Ligand, and Ligand will not be responsible for any fees related to such submissions