Remote Senior Director, Epidemiology & Real-World Evidence

Optum; Boston (MA); Remote; USD 159,000 - 273,000; Full time

Job summary

Optum Life Sciences seeks a Senior Director of Epidemiology to lead its epidemiology function, advance real-world evidence generation, and drive client impact across life sciences and healthcare sectors.

The role combines strategic scientific leadership with executive-level client engagement, team development, and governance of epidemiology programs. It includes responsibility for data sources, study design, and ensuring scientific rigor while leveraging responsible AI capabilities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Epidemiology, Public Health, Biostatistics, Medicine, Health Services Research, or a related scientific discipline.
• Experience leading managers and multi-level organizations, including leadership through layers and development of future leaders.
• Experience serving as a scientific advisor or client-facing scientific leader within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, government, healthcare, life sciences, or related environments.
• Experience providing scientific oversight for complex epidemiology or evidence-generation studies.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific information into actionable recommendations for clients, business leaders, and technical audiences.
• Willing or ability to travel up to 20-30% for client engagements, conferences, and leadership meetings.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across epidemiology, pharmacoepidemiology, real-world evidence, safety research, post-authorization and post-market studies, and non-interventional research.
• Ensure scientific rigor and quality throughout study design, analysis, and client deliverables.
• Serve as a scientific authority in the use of real-world data sources and epidemiologic methods.
• Lead and develop epidemiologists and scientific leaders within a multi-level organization.
• Oversee quality, governance, and operational effectiveness of the Epidemiology function.
• Champion responsible use of AI and automation to enhance scientific quality and efficiency.

Skills

Scientific leadership

Client engagement

Strategic advisory

Stakeholder management

Public speaking

Education

Master’s degree or higher in Epidemiology

Tools

SAS

Job description

Optum Life Sciences seeks a Senior Director of Epidemiology to lead its epidemiology function, advance real-world evidence generation, and drive client impact across life sciences and healthcare sectors.

The role combines strategic scientific leadership with executive-level client engagement, team development, and governance of epidemiology programs. It includes responsibility for data sources, study design, and ensuring scientific rigor while leveraging responsible AI capabilities.