Executive Director, Semantic and Knowledge Engineering

Ladders; United States; On-site; USD 225,000 - 419,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) match

Paid time off

Equity awards

Job summary

Ladders is seeking an Executive Director of Semantic and Knowledge Engineering to shape the strategy and execution of semantic technologies across the enterprise. The role partners with product, architecture, and stakeholders to build trusted knowledge foundations for AI readiness, data interoperability, and analytics.

It will drive governance, quality standards, and scalable knowledge management while building a high-performing team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Computer Science, Information Science, AI, Data Science, Bioinformatics, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in semantic technologies, knowledge engineering, enterprise architecture, or AI platforms with leadership experience
• Deep expertise in ontologies, taxonomies, RDF/OWL, knowledge graphs, and semantic web technologies
• Experience building enterprise semantic platforms for AI and data interoperability at scale
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with strong stakeholder management capability

Responsibilities

• Define and execute strategy for semantic technologies and knowledge engineering
• Lead development of enterprise ontologies, taxonomies, and business vocabularies
• Design and implement an enterprise semantic layer for trusted AI and analytics
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate semantic capabilities into products
• Establish governance and quality standards for knowledge assets
• Drive innovation in knowledge graphs and AI-driven knowledge management
• Build and manage a high-performing team of engineers and specialists

Skills

Semantic technologies

Knowledge engineering

Enterprise architecture

AI platforms

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in CS/AI/Data Science

Tools

RDF/OWL

Knowledge graphs

Ontology design

Semantic web tech

Job description

For our client, we are seeking a Executive Director, Semantic and Knowledge Engineering to join the team of a leader in the Pharmaceuticals & Biotech space.

This leader will shape the strategy and execution of semantic technologies and knowledge engineering across the enterprise. The role will focus on building trusted knowledge foundations that improve AI readiness, data interoperability, and analytics capabilities while partnering closely with product, architecture, and cross-functional stakeholders. The position will also guide governance, quality standards, and team development to support scalable knowledge management across the organization.

Location: Remote - US based candidates only, no visa sponsorship available

Compensation: $225,400 – $418,600 annually

Responsibilities

• Define and execute strategy for semantic technologies and knowledge engineering
• Lead development of enterprise ontologies, taxonomies, and business vocabularies
• Design and implement an enterprise semantic layer for trusted AI and analytics
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate semantic capabilities into products
• Establish governance and quality standards for knowledge assets
• Drive innovation in knowledge graphs and AI-driven knowledge management
• Build and manage a high-performing team of engineers and specialists

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Computer Science, Information Science, AI, Data Science, Bioinformatics, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in semantic technologies, knowledge engineering, enterprise architecture, or AI platforms with leadership experience
• Deep expertise in ontologies, taxonomies, RDF/OWL, knowledge graphs, and semantic web technologies
• Experience building enterprise semantic platforms for AI and data interoperability at scale
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with strong stakeholder management capability

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, life, and disability benefits
• 401(k) plan with company contribution and match
• Generous time off package including vacation, personal days, and holidays
• Eligibility for performance-based cash incentives and annual equity awards

Our client is an equal opportunity employer.