Director Data Science & AI iLabs, DDIT

Job Description Summary

At Novartis, we're reimagining medicine through the transformative power of AI and data science. As Director, AI Product Innovations (iLabs), you will be at the forefront of building scalable, intelligent products that reshape how we engage with healthcare professionals, accelerate decision-making, and personalize commercial strategies globally.
This is a high-impact leadership role within the Data Digital & Technology (DD&IT) organization, where you’ll drive the intersection of AI/GenAI innovation, data science, and global commercial execution. You’ll not only shape the product vision—you’ll lead a talented team, connect deep technology with real-world impact, and help Novartis deliver better outcomes, faster 

 

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• AI Product Leadership: Define and execute the product strategy for AI/GenAI-powered solutions across commercial domains — including field force effectiveness, omnichannel engagement, patient services, content enablement, and intelligent automation.
• Data Science Integration: Partner with data scientists to translate models (e.g., LLMs, NLP, machine learning) into scalable, user-centric products. Ensure rigorous data-driven experimentation, evaluation, and optimization.
• Team & Talent Development: Build, lead, and mentor a global team of product managers, technologists, and AI specialists. Foster a high-performance culture grounded in innovation, agility, and continuous learning.
• Innovation Pipeline Ownership: Identify and incubate high-value AI/GenAI opportunities. Run rapid prototyping, lead pilots, and drive industrial-scale adoption across countries and business units.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with engineering, architecture, commercial strategy, field teams, and legal/compliance to ensure delivery of robust, secure, and compliant AI solutions.
• Business Impact & Adoption: Define success metrics, drive adoption, and measure ROI of AI products. Ensure solutions deliver clear, data-validated value across markets and therapeutic areas.
• Technology Thought Leadership: Act as an internal and external champion for responsible AI innovation in pharma. Stay at the cutting edge of GenAI tools, open-source models, and emerging frameworks

Essential Requirements:

• 10+ years of experience in product management, digital transformation, or AI innovation, with at least 3–5 years leading AI/ML or GenAI products at scale
• Strong applied experience with machine learning, large language models (LLMs), NLP, vector search, and prompt engineering
• Proven ability to partner with data science and engineering to design, validate, and deploy AI solutions
• Innovation mindset to drive experiments and evaluate go/no go decision for PoCs
• Solid understanding of pharma commercial operations, including CRM platforms, omnichannel engagement, field force tech, and analytics
• Demonstrated success in building and leading high-performing product teams across geographies and functions
• Strong storytelling, stakeholder management, and executive communication skills
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related technical field; Master’s, MBA, or PhD is a plus

Desirable Requirements:

• Applied Mathematics.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Aws (Amazon Web Services).
• Data Science
• Python (Programming Language).
• R (Programming Language).
• Random Forest Algorithm.
• Statistical Analysis.
• Time Series Analysis.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: 
Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams' representative of the patients and communities we serve.
Accessibility and accommodation 
Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message
Join our Novartis Network: If this role is not suitable to your experience or career goals but you wish to stay connected to hear more about Novartis and our career opportunities, join the Novartis Network here: 
https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network

 

Skills Desired

Applied Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Aws (Amazon Web Services), Big Data, Building Construction, Cloud Computing, Computer Science, Data Governance, Data Literacy, Data Management, Data Quality, Data Science, Data Strategy, Electrical Transformer, Machine Learning (Ml), Master Data Management, Professional Services, Python (Programming Language), R (Programming Language), Random Forest Algorithm, Statistical Analysis, Time Series Analysis