Executive Director, Semantic and Knowledge Engineering

Novartis; East Hanover (NJ); Hybrid; USD 225,000 - 419,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis is seeking an Executive Director, Semantic and Knowledge Engineering to lead strategy, architecture, and implementation of the enterprise semantic layer powering NovaOS. The role is based in East Hanover with possible remote options and travel up to 10%.

You will govern ontologies, taxonomies and knowledge graphs, collaborate with AI, data science, product, and engineering teams, and build a high-performing semantic engineering team to enable trusted AI and scalable analytics.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's or advanced degree in Computer Science, Information Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Bioinformatics, or related field.
• 10+ years' experience in semantic technologies, enterprise architecture, data management, or AI platforms, including leadership.
• Deep expertise with ontologies, taxonomies, metadata, RDF/OWL, knowledge graphs, graph databases, semantic web technologies, and enterprise information architecture.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the enterprise strategy for semantic technologies, knowledge engineering, and knowledge graph capabilities.
• Lead the development and governance of enterprise ontologies, taxonomies, business vocabularies, and semantic models that establish a shared understanding across the organization.
• Design and implement the enterprise semantic layer that enables trusted AI, consistent analytics, interoperability, and reusable business knowledge.
• Partner with Applied AI, Data Science, Product Management, Engineering, and Business teams to embed semantic capabilities into NovaOS products and AI solutions.
• Establish governance, metadata management, knowledge lifecycle processes, and quality standards for enterprise knowledge assets.
• Drive innovation in knowledge graphs, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), semantic search, reasoning engines, and AI-enabled knowledge management.
• Build and lead a high-performing team of semantic engineers, ontology specialists, and knowledge engineers while fostering technical excellence and innovation.

Skills

Semantic technologies

Knowledge engineering

Leadership

Executive communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Ontologies

Taxonomies

Knowledge graphs

Education

Bachelor's or advanced degree in CS/IS/AI/DS/Bioinformatics

Tools

RDF/OWL

Knowledge graphs

Graph databases

Semantic web tech

Job description

Summary

Reporting to the VP, Applied AI, Data Science, and Commercial Intelligence, the Executive Director, Semantic and Knowledge Engineering leads the strategy, architecture, and implementation of the enterprise semantic layer and knowledge engineering capabilities that power NovaOS. The ideal location for this role is East Hanover but remote work may be possible (there may be some restrictions based on legal entity). Please note that this role would not provide relocation as a result. If associate is remote, all home office expenses and any travel/lodging to specific East Hanover for periodic live meetings will be at the employee’s expense. The expectation of working hours and travel (domestic and/or international) will be defined by the hiring manager. This position will require 10% travel.

About The Role

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the enterprise strategy for semantic technologies, knowledge engineering, and knowledge graph capabilities.
• Lead the development and governance of enterprise ontologies, taxonomies, business vocabularies, and semantic models that establish a shared understanding across the organization.
• Design and implement the enterprise semantic layer that enables trusted AI, consistent analytics, interoperability, and reusable business knowledge.
• Partner with Applied AI, Data Science, Product Management, Engineering, and Business teams to embed semantic capabilities into NovaOS products and AI solutions.
• Establish governance, metadata management, knowledge lifecycle processes, and quality standards for enterprise knowledge assets.
• Drive innovation in knowledge graphs, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), semantic search, reasoning engines, and AI-enabled knowledge management.
• Build and lead a high-performing team of semantic engineers, ontology specialists, and knowledge engineers while fostering technical excellence and innovation.

Essential Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's or advanced degree in Computer Science, Information Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Bioinformatics, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in semantic technologies, knowledge engineering, enterprise architecture, data management, or AI platforms, including leadership experience.
• Deep expertise with ontologies, taxonomies, metadata, RDF/OWL, knowledge graphs, graph databases, semantic web technologies, and enterprise information architecture.
• Experience building enterprise semantic platforms that enable AI, analytics, search, and data interoperability at scale.
• Exceptional leadership, executive communication, and cross-functional stakeholder management skills.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience applying semantic technologies to generative AI, agentic AI, RAG, and enterprise AI platforms.
• Experience in pharmaceutical, healthcare, or other highly regulated industries.

Novartis Compensation Summary

The salary for this position is expected to range between $225,400 and $418,600 per year.

The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors.

Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.

US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.

Why Novartis:

Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Benefits and Rewards:

Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.

Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)

EEO Statement

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Accessibility & Reasonable Accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call [phone] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.