Head, Data & AI Enablement

BioSpace; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 208,000 - 328,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering pharmaceutical company is looking for a Head of Data & AI Enablement to lead its R&D efforts and drive innovations using AI and data technologies. The role involves fostering a culture of data-driven innovation, managing complex projects, and ensuring compliance while enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency.

Benefits

401(k) plan with company match

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid vacation and sick time

Tuition reimbursement program

Qualifications

• 15 years in leadership roles in Digital, Data, Technology or R&D environments.
• Experience leading high-performing cross-functional teams.
• Expertise in leveraging AI and data strategies to drive innovation.

Responsibilities

• Spearhead the deployment of AI and machine learning across workflows.
• Drive development of tools to improve data accessibility and compliance.
• Oversee data governance frameworks for reliable data integration.

Skills

Leadership

Data-Driven Innovation

AI Implementation

Technical Excellence

Education

Master’s Degree in Data Science, Computer Science, or related field

PhD in relevant field

Specialized Training in AI and Machine Learning

Job description

Join to apply for the Head, Data & AI Enablement role at BioSpace

1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Join to apply for the Head, Data & AI Enablement role at BioSpace

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.

By clicking the “Apply” button, I understand that my employment application process with Takeda will commence and that the information I provide in my application will be processed in line with Takeda’sPrivacy Noticeand Terms of Use. I further attest that all information I submit in my employment application is true to the best of my knowledge.

Objectives/Purpose

Job Description

Takeda Pharmaceuticals is seeking an innovative and strategic leader to join its R&D Data, Digital & Technology (DD&T) organization as the Head of Data and AI Enablement. This pivotal role is instrumental in empowering Takeda’s R&D teams to unlock the full potential of data and cutting-edge AI technologies, driving transformative advancements in research and clinical development. The ideal candidate will serve as a catalyst for innovation and value realization, leveraging scalable ecosystems, AI-powered analytics, and emerging technologies to accelerate scientific discovery, improve decision-making, and enhance operational efficiency, all while maintaining compliance excellence.

Through a commitment to data and technology as strategic drivers of innovation, this leader will be pivotal in advancing Takeda’s mission to deliver transformative therapies and improve the lives of patients worldwide. If you have a passion for harnessing the power of data and AI to revolutionize research and development, this is a unique opportunity to drive impactful change.

Accountabilities

AI-Driven Transformation:

• Spearhead the deployment and integration of advanced AI and machine learning capabilities across workflows, embedding tools such as LLMs and generative AI into critical processes such as clinical protocol generation, molecule prediction, and trial optimization.
• Continuously explore and integrate emerging technologies, ensuring Takeda remains at the forefront of innovation while tailoring solutions to address evolving R&D challenges.
• Position AI and generative models as fundamental enablers of data-driven decision-making and empower researchers to uncover transformative insights that drive meaningful patient outcomes.
  
  
  

Data-Driven Innovation

• The Head of Data and AI Enablement will play a critical role in fostering a culture of data-driven innovation by building capabilities that unlock the full value of Takeda’s diverse data assets, institutional knowledge, and insights.
• Drive the development of tools, workflows, and integration solutions that eliminate data silos, improve accessibility, and enhance agility across R&D while enabling compliance with regulatory standards such as HIPAA and GxP.
• Implement and oversee fit for purpose data governance frameworks that focus on unlocking scientific agility and enabling advanced analytics, ensuring reliable data integration, accessibility, quality, and compliance while empowering R&D teams to derive actionable insights.
• Enable seamless access to high-quality data and deploy advanced analytics and AI technologies to position Takeda’s data resources as drivers of discovery, trial optimization, and future therapeutic innovation.
• Transform Takeda’s data into a foundational pillar for R&D excellence by delivering scalable platforms and integrating emerging technologies to maintain a competitive edge and foster scientific breakthroughs.
  
  
  

Technical Leadership

• Acts as a change agent to promote innovative ways of working and fostering collaboration across R&D DD&T, R&D, Global DD&T, external technology partners.
• Drive Technical Excellence: Lead the advancement of internal technical capabilities by fostering innovation and embedding AI-powered technologies like generative AI and large language models into R&D workflows, ensuring solutions align with Takeda’s scientific priorities.
• Architect and Deliver Scalable Solutions: Design, develop, and oversee the delivery of robust, scalable internal solutions that integrate data and AI to unlock insights, enhance decision-making, and drive efficiency across research, clinical, and regulatory functions.
• Elevate Technical Skillsets: Serve as a mentor and coach to elevate technical expertise within Takeda’s teams, enabling cross-functional stakeholders to embrace data engineering, AI methodologies, and advanced analytics tools in their workflows.
• Leadership in Data-Driven Innovation: Act as a strategic technical lead across R&D by continuously exploring and integrating cutting-edge technologies to address R&D challenges and ensure Takeda remains at the forefront of data and AI innovation.
• Ownership of Mission-Critical Deliverables: Take accountability for technical success by ensuring high-quality execution and alignment of all internal solutions, establishing rigorous processes and standards that meet regulatory requirements and business impact goals.
  
  
  

Resource Management

• Manage budgets and resources efficiently to prioritize and achieve technical milestones.
• Ensure adherence to compliance, security, and IT governance standards while fostering an environment of continuous improvement and adaptability.
  
  
  

Leadership

DIMENSIONS AND ASPECTS:

• Demonstrated ability to work across functions, regions and cultures
• Functional level leadership with the ability to inspire, motivate and drive results
• Excellent communicator, able to persuasively convey both ideas and data, verbally and in writing
• Proven skills as an effective team player who can engender credibility and confidence within and outside the company
• Ability to distil complex issues and ideas down to simple comprehensible terms
• Demonstrates leadership presence and confidence
• Embraces and demonstrates a diversity and inclusion mindset and role models these behaviors for the organization
• Builds teams across functions and geographies with individuals who have the right skills and experience to deliver on key organizational initiatives.
• Invests time in helping others to enhance their skills and perform at a higher level
  
  
  

Decision-making And Autonomy

• Decision making responsibilities:Provide input to highly complex decisions that impact the functional area.Accountable for decision making for designated function.Ability to seek diverse input from multiple constituents and stakeholders to drive innovative solutions.Ability to incorporate feedback and ensure decisions are implemented swiftly to yield flawless execution
• Accountable for providing input to and implementing vision and strategy for designated scope
  
  
  

Interaction

• Effectively navigates the changing external and internal environment and leads others through change by creating and inspiring and engaging workplace
• Cultivates a broad network of relationships throughout Takeda, with affiliates and external partners, in the industry and area of expertise.
• Effectively represents function in negotiations with the ability to resolve conflict in a constructive manner
• Ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with other interfacing Takeda functions
• Leadership experience within global, matrixed organizations with a focus on pharmaceutical R&D or healthcare innovation.
• Ability to work across diverse teams, such as research scientists, clinical development experts, and regulatory professionals, to ensure effective adoption of digital and AI solutions.
  
  
  

Innovation

• Strategic thinker with a robust understanding of long-range planning for scalable and adaptable technological solutions.
• Commitment to innovation and staying ahead of technology trends to deliver transformative solutions.
• Passion for Takeda’s mission of improving patient lives and advancing therapeutic innovation.
• Forward thinking with the ability to recommend, influence and implement organizational change and continuous innovation
• Comfortable challenging the status quo and bringing forward innovative solutions
• Ability to take risks implementing innovative solutions, accelerating time to market
• Identifies opportunities and anticipates changes in the business landscape through an understanding and ongoing assessment of the environment affecting the business.
• Role models respect and inclusion, creating a culture that fosters innovation
  
  
  

Complexity

• Ability to work in a global ecosystem (internal and external) with a high degree of complexity
• Deep expertise required
• Ability to see and understand broader, enterprise level perspective
  
  
  

Education, Behavioural Competencies And Skills

• Master’s Degree is required; a PhD in a relevant field such as Data Science, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or a related discipline is highly preferred.
• Specialized Training:Formal education or certification in software engineering, artificial intelligence, machine learning, generative AI, data engineering, or related technologies.
• Business Acumen:An MBA or equivalent experience in strategy, management, or leadership is a plus, particularly for candidates with strong technical backgrounds.
• Minimum of15 yearsin progressive leadership roles within Digital, Data, Technology, or R&D environments in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or healthcare sectors.
• Experience leading high-performing cross-functional teams across data science, AI development, software engineering, and operations.
  
  
  

Technology And AI Delivery

• Proven track record of delivering AI and Data Solutions that drive documented value
• Proven track record in deploying large language models (LLMs), generative AI systems, and other advanced technologies to solve complex challenges in R&D functions such as molecule prediction, trial design optimization, and clinical protocol generation.
• Hands-on experience in identifying, piloting, and scaling emerging technology solutions for research, clinical, and regulatory workflows.
• Proven ability to drive AI-powered innovation and develop strategic roadmaps that align emerging technologies with organizational goals.
• Experience in translating novel AI applications into actionable insights that create tangible business value for R&D and broader organizational objectives.
  
  
  

Software Development And DevOps Practices

• Experience in delivering custom software solutions for complex R&D needs, leveraging both internal and external resources.
• Expertise in implementing DevOps practices to drive efficient development-to-operations transitions and ensure automation across workflows.
  
  
  

Data Enablement & Capability Building

• Strategic Data Leadership: Proven ability to design and implement scalable data strategies that unlock the value of diverse data assets, eliminate silos, and drive decision-making in R&D, clinical, or regulated environments. Extensive experience building and managing Data Engines and enabling self-service analytics through intuitive, AI-powered tools accessible to scientific and clinical teams.
• Knowledge Integration and Governance: Expertise in integrating diverse data sources, surfacing organizational knowledge, and implementing governance frameworks to ensure compliance with global regulatory standards (e.g., HIPAA, GxP) while maintaining data accessibility and quality.
• Collaboration and Innovation: Strong track record of partnering across cross-functional teams (e.g., scientists, clinicians, regulatory professionals) to deliver impactful solutions, leveraging emerging technologies like NLP and generative AI to address evolving R&D needs.
  
  
  

Additional Information

• Hybrid role, based in Cambridge, MA
  
  
  

Takeda Compensation And Benefits Summary

We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. We are committed to equitable pay for all employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices.

For Location:

Boston, MA

U.S. Base Salary Range

$208,200.00 - $327,140.00

The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.The actual base salary offered will be in accordance with state or local minimum wage requirements for the job location.

U.S. based employees may be eligible for short-term and/or long-termincentives. U.S.based employees may be eligible to participate in medical, dental, vision insurance, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, a tuition reimbursement program, paid volunteer time off, company holidays, and well-being benefits, among others. U.S.based employees are also eligible to receive, per calendar year, up to 80 hours of sick time, and new hires are eligible to accrue up to 120 hours of paid vacation.

EEO Statement

Takeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.

LocationsBoston, MA

Worker TypeEmployee

Worker Sub-TypeRegular

Time TypeFull time

Job Exempt

Yes

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Executive

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Project Management and Information Technology

• Industries

  Internet News

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at BioSpace by 2x

Sign in to set job alerts for “Head of Data Management” roles.

Boston, MA $208,200.00-$327,140.00 3 days ago

Boston, MA $252,000.00-$315,000.00 10 hours ago

Cambridge, MA $215,000.00-$225,000.00 1 week ago

Boston, MA $208,200.00-$327,140.00 2 weeks ago

Head, Data, Business Architecture & Omnichannel Strategy

Boston, MA $208,200.00-$327,140.00 11 hours ago

Head of Consumer Electronics, Market Analysis

Director, Business Intelligence & Analytics

Senior Director, Data Products & Strategy

Director, Data Management and Governance for RDQ

Lexington, MA $174,500.00-$274,230.00 1 week ago

Director, Advanced Data Analytics and Insights

Director/Senior Director - Commercial Analytics & Insights (1185)

Director, Commercial & Medical Information Systems

Director, Advanced Data Analytics and Insights

Director of Analytics - MD Live - Hybrid

Boston, MA $155,400.00-$259,000.00 23 hours ago

Director of Data & Analytics Engineering

Senior Director of Advanced Analytics & AI COE

Sr. Director of Customer Data & Insights - Rare Immunology

Cambridge, MA $280,000.00-$280,000.00 2 weeks ago

Director, Insights & Analytics – Cross Brand Lead

Cambridge, MA $195,000.00-$269,000.00 3 days ago

Data & Analytics Director (Location flexible)

Capital Partners Head of Data and Reporting

Boston, MA $150,000.00-$200,000.00 2 weeks ago

Competitive Intelligence Director – New AI and Data Technology (Early R&D)

Senior Director, Search and Evaluation, Data and Digital Innovation, R&D

Head of Business Intelligence & Analytics, Rare Portfolio

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.