Head of AI, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease Unit

AstraZeneca plc; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 258,000 - 387,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc, Alexion unit, is seeking a Head of AI to set the enterprise AI strategy and turn it into measurable outcomes for science, operations and patients. Based in Boston, you will work across Research, Development, Regulatory Sciences, Operations and Commercial to identify high-value AI opportunities and shape a focused portfolio that leads to secure, scalable AI products.

The role requires deep AI expertise, executive influence and the ability to create clarity when priorities evolve,

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare or another highly regulated global industry with significant responsibility for AI, data, digital or technology strategy.
• 5+ years leading large-scale AI or digital transformation, with evidence of measurable organizational or business outcomes.
• Experience translating business and scientific priorities into scalable AI solutions.

Responsibilities

• Set the enterprise AI strategy and multi-year roadmap aligned with business and scientific priorities across functions and geographies.
• Identify and prioritize AI opportunities, turning concepts into funded initiatives with clear ownership from experimentation through scale.
• Define AI operating model and governance for adoption and value realization across Research, Development, Regulatory Sciences, Operations and Commercial.

Skills

AI strategy

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Regulatory knowledge

Education

PhD or Master’s in CS/AI/Data Science or related

Job description

Introduction to role

AI is changing how rare diseases are discovered, developed and treated.

As Head of AI, Alexion, you will set the enterprise AI strategy for Alexion, AstraZeneca’s rare disease unit, and turn that strategy into measurable outcomes for science, operations and patients.

Based in Boston, this role works across Research, Development and Regulatory Sciences, Operations and Commercial. The Head of AI will identify high-value opportunities, shape a focused portfolio and help teams move promising ideas into secure, scalable AI products.

Success requires strong AI expertise, executive influence and the ability to create clarity when priorities or structures are still evolving. The role will bring business, scientific, data and technology leaders together around practical decisions and measurable outcomes.

Accountabilities

Set the enterprise AI strategy

Develop and lead a multi-year AI roadmap aligned with Alexion’s business and scientific priorities. Define investment needs, adoption goals, value measures and expected outcomes across functions and geographies.

Build a high-value AI portfolio

Identify and prioritize AI opportunities based on scientific, patient and business value. Turn promising concepts into funded initiatives with clear ownership from experimentation through scale and retirement.

Establish the AI operating model

Define how AI decisions are made across Research, Development and Regulatory Sciences, Operations and Commercial. Create clear decision rights, governance, delivery standards and accountability for adoption and value.

Turn innovation into scalable products

Assess emerging AI technologies, including generative and agentic AI. Help teams develop high-value opportunities into secure products with clear criteria for experimentation, scaling, user feedback and lifecycle management.

Strengthen architecture and governance

Partner with technology, data, scientific and business leaders on AI and data architecture, integration patterns, platform standards, data quality and model lifecycle governance. Embed responsible AI, privacy and security throughout the AI lifecycle.

Advise senior leaders

Serve as a senior AI advisor to the Alexion Leadership Team. Translate complex technical and business considerations into clear choices and recommendations that support decisions, investment and prioritization.

Build AI capability across Alexion

Expand AI fluency through practical learning, communities of practice, coaching and role-based development. Enable teams to apply AI responsibly in their everyday work and measure adoption and outcomes.

Measure value and performance

Establish meaningful measures for AI adoption and impact, including scientific advancement, cycle time, capacity, operational efficiency, decision quality, revenue and cost. Track results against approved value cases and communicate progress, risks and actions clearly.

Advance responsible AI

Embed governance, validation, transparency, bias management, human oversight, privacy, security, regulatory alignment and auditability into AI solutions. Contribute to external forums and evolving industry practices.

Lead through influence

Build trusted relationships across Alexion and AstraZeneca. Create clarity around priorities, ownership and trade-offs while developing AI leaders and strengthening the AI community across the rare disease value chain.

Essential Skills/Experience

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare or another highly regulated global industry, with significant responsibility for AI, data, digital or technology strategy.
• 5+ years leading large-scale AI or digital transformation, with evidence of measurable organizational or business outcomes.
• Experience translating business and scientific priorities into scalable AI solutions.
• Working knowledge of AI platforms, modern data environments, privacy, security, governance, regulatory expectations and responsible AI.
• Experience leading through influence in complex, global and matrixed organizations, including environments where priorities, structures or decision rights are evolving.
• Ability to create clarity from ambiguity, make pragmatic decisions with incomplete information and bring diverse stakeholders together around shared outcomes.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, with experience presenting complex AI opportunities and trade-offs to senior leaders.
• Experience building, mentoring or coordinating multidisciplinary teams and professional communities.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• PhD, Master’s degree, or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Engineering, Information Technology, Life Sciences, Business, or a related discipline.
• Experience in biopharmaceuticals, biotechnology, healthcare or life sciences.
• Practical expertise in generative AI, machine learning, natural language processing and agentic AI.
• Ability to assess AI technologies, partners and model outputs, contribute to prototypes and architecture discussions, and communicate AI concepts to scientific, technical, business and executive audiences.
• Experience scaling secure and compliant AI solutions across research, development, operations or commercial environments.
• Evidence of thought leadership in AI, data, digital transformation or responsible innovation.
• Experience developing strategic partnerships or contributing to industry consortia, publications or professional forums.

Ways of working

Working together in person helps teams connect across disciplines, solve complex problems and move ideas forward. This role follows AstraZeneca’s expectation of working from the office an average of at least three days each week, while recognizing the importance of individual flexibility.

Why AstraZeneca and Alexion

At Alexion, AI can help teams address some of the most complex challenges in rare disease.

The Head of AI will work with scientists, clinicians, technology specialists and business leaders to turn data and emerging technology into practical solutions. The opportunity spans the rare disease value chain, from scientific discovery and development to operations and commercial activities.

This is an opportunity to shape how Alexion uses AI responsibly at enterprise scale while keeping scientific progress, patient impact and measurable value at the center of investment decisions.

Equal opportunity and accommodations

AstraZeneca is committed to creating an inclusive environment where people can contribute and succeed. Qualified applicants are considered in accordance with applicable equal employment opportunity requirements. Reasonable accommodations are available during the recruitment process for individuals who require them.

The annual base salary for this position in the US ranges from $258,157.60 - $387,236.40 However, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles) or to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.