Executive Director AI and Computational Sciences Full-time

Job Description Summary
The Executive Director for AI and Computational Sciences (AICS) will contribute to the development and implementation of overall strategy for Data and Data Novartis has embraced a bold strategy to drive a company-wide digital transformation. Our objective is to position Novartis as an industry leader by proactively adopting digital technologies that foster innovative approaches to hasten drug discovery and development. By utilizing both internal and external R&D data with the power of data science, predictive models, generative AI, and machine learning, our objective is to identify new targets, create more effective therapeutic molecules, better predict drug pharmacokinetics and safety risks, refine clinical trial design, and significantly shorten development cycles. The AICS team leads BR in exploring and applying advanced AI and ML methodologies to generate novel drug discovery insights, and to speed and improve drug discovery efficiency whilst focusing on patients needs.

AICS partners with drug discovery teams, raises the level of AI expertise across Biomedical Research (BR) and ensures that BR science keeps up with the rapidly evolving ecosystem of AI technologies by connecting with AI leaders in academia and industry.

This role supports the work to define BR’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy & execute on key priorities in collaboration with the AICS teams, BRs data science community and key stakeholders.

The incumbent will bring expertise, innovation and vision to the field of AI within Biomedical Research, attracting, retaining, empowering and developing top talent, building strong working relationships with diverse business stakeholders, and delivering drug discovery outcomes for BR.

The head of AICS is a member of the Research Informatics Leadership team (RXLT) and also of BR’s Computational Sciences Council (CSC).

Job Description

The mandate of the AICS team leader encompasses the following elements:

AI & computational science leadership:

• Build, implement and manage a cutting-edge and impactful portfolio of AI/ML related programs with BR drug discovery project teams and drug discovery platforms
• Contribute substantively to define and shape global strategy and vision for future direction of BR’s AI enabled drug discovery leveraging Data Science, AI and ML.
• Raise the level of AI expertise & capabilities across BR
• Help position AI-aided drug discovery contributions to deliver and support progress of BR’s portfolio, enable new kinds of therapeutic discoveries, shorten cycle times, and increase efficiency.
• Form a governance model and structure to ensure AICS focuses on the most valuable problems in drug discovery

Collaboration & partnership

• Regularly communicate, engage, align with AICS teams, broader data science community, senior scientists and DA and platform heads.
• Initiate and lead key high-value internal collaborations across BR.
• Help to identify, recommend, and evaluate external opportunities for strategic AI collaborations and engage in and/or lead resulting collaborations in academia and industry
• Provide subject matter expertise, input and vision to the field of AI across Biomedical Research

Organizational & people leadership

• Lead, develop, retain and inspire a global team of ca. 35 AI/ML & DS experts
• Role model a curious, inspired and empowering leadership style with a focus on collaboration and innovation
• Become a trusted and invaluable member of the BR and wider Novartis data science communities and foster strong collaborations within and across them.
• .Act as a mentor to Data Science and AI/ML experts.
• Lead or contribute to key data and digital projects and initiatives

Background

Education:

• University degree with an advanced degree in computer science, data science, biology, chemistry or medicine

Experience:

• 10 years of significant experience in innovation, development, deployment and continuous support of Machine Learning tools and models
• Expertise in bringing advanced analytics insights and actions to a large Research organization & deep understanding of Drug development
• Well-developed and inspiring leader with ability to influence senior leadership & exceptional stakeholder management skills
• Passion for understanding emerging technologies with pragmatic insight into where those technologies can be integrated into business solutions
• Ability to balance requirements, manage expectations, and drive effective results using a proactive attitude towards identifying and resolving issues
• Tested capability to successfully lead teams and projects, often with tight time constraints
• Entrepreneurial spirit with can-do, pro-active attitude

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Skills Desired
Algorithms Development, Applied Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, Culture Change, Data Analytics, Data Governance, Data Literacy, Data Management, Data Quality, Data Science, Data Strategy, High-Performance Computing, Information Architecture, Machine Learning (Ml), Master Data Management, Mentorship