Executive Director - AI CoE & Data Analytics - Pharma R&D

The Opportunity:

We are partnering with a global life sciences organization to identify an executive leader to establish and scale its Pharma R&D AI Center of Excellence (CoE) in Hyderabad.

This is a strategic leadership role focused on enabling AI-driven transformation across Pharma R&D. The leader will shape the CoE strategy and operating model, build multidisciplinary AI and data capabilities, and enable R&D teams to adopt scalable, compliant digital solutions - including Agentic AI.

The role combines strategic partnership, capability building, technology enablement, governance, and organizational leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

- Establish and scale the AI CoE: Define the vision, strategy, service offerings, and operating model for a global Pharma R&D AI capability.

- Enable a federated delivery model: Balance centralized platforms, standards, and expertise with embedded support for R&D workflow teams.

- Drive AI adoption and industrialization: Enable teams to move from experimentation to validated, scalable, production-ready AI solutions.

- Advance Agentic AI capabilities: Shape the approach to AI agent orchestration, reusable assets, agent registry, and broader adoption across R&D.

- Build trusted AI foundations: Establish appropriate governance, validation, traceability, and risk-management practices for AI in regulated environments.

- Enable data and knowledge interoperability: Guide capabilities such as data integration, knowledge graphs, and semantic layers to support connected and context-aware AI solutions.

- Build and lead the organization: Develop a multidisciplinary team spanning AI, data science, engineering, research, and relevant quality or regulatory expertise.

- Partner with global leadership: Work across R&D, technology, data, and business stakeholders to align AI capabilities with strategic priorities.

- Develop talent and partnerships: Strengthen internal expertise, cross-functional collaboration, and relationships with external technology partners and vendors.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

- Senior leadership experience in AI, data science, AI engineering, or enterprise technology.

- Experience establishing, leading, or scaling an AI CoE or enterprise AI capability.

- Demonstrated ability to translate AI strategy into practical solutions adopted by business or operational teams.

- Experience building and leading multidisciplinary teams in complex, global organizations.

- Understanding of AI platforms, architecture, data ecosystems, and AI solution lifecycle management.

- Strong stakeholder engagement and executive-level communication skills.

- Ability to work across strategy, technology, governance, and business functions.

Preferred Background:

- Experience in Pharma, Life Sciences, Healthcare, or another regulated industry.

- Familiarity with Pharma R&D workflows and GxP-related expectations.

- Exposure to Agentic AI, LLM-based solutions, AI governance, and AI industrialization.

- Experience with enterprise-scale data and AI platforms, including cloud-based ecosystems.

- Pharma or GxP experience is preferred, not mandatory. Candidates with relevant enterprise AI leadership and capability-building experience in other industries may also be considered.