Assoc. Dir, DSCS Digital Technologies, Decision Intelligence (m/f/d)

MSD•Upper Gwynedd Township, PA

20h•$142,400 - $224,100•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director, Decision Intelligence is a technical role within DSCS Digital Technologies (DDT), part of the Research team. DDT drives digital transformation, data architecture, and technology solutions for Development Sciences and Clinical Supply (DSCS). The role develops advanced analytics and operations research capabilities, with a focus on modeling, simulation, and optimization frameworks that help solve complex business problems and enable data-driven decisions across DSCS. The position translates business problems and stakeholder needs into mathematical models, technical specifications, and digital capabilities. It develops probabilistic forecasting and stochastic optimization approaches, data foundations and pipelines, AI-enabled workflows, and WebApps that help business users interact with data and model outputs. The role also develops business cases and KPIs for digital capabilities, collaborates with technical teams and DSCS subject-matter experts, and contributes reusable methods and components to the DDT Decision Intelligence Strategic Roadmap. The role documents and supports the rollout of models, data products, applications, and system architectures, including training and technical support for end users. The position is hybrid, with 10% travel. The posted US salary range is USD 142,400–224,100; the employee may also be eligible for an annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable. The role is regular status, and relocation is not offered.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in data science, operations research, data engineering, or a related highly technical role, unless qualifying through the PhD pathway specified in the education requirement.
PhD with at least 1 year of experience, or a bachelor's degree with at least 5 years of experience, in engineering, operations research, data science, or a comparable technical field.
Strong expertise in Python.
Experience building and deploying advanced machine learning models.
Proven experience gathering complex requirements from non-technical stakeholders and translating them into actionable technical roadmaps.
Proven experience using GitHub for version control.
High comfort with AI-assisted development tools such as Cline and proficiency with VS Code or an equivalent integrated development environment.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to formulate complex business challenges as mathematical problems and technical solutions.
Demonstrated ability to build trust-based relationships and drive change and priorities with diverse technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and senior executives.
Ability to make independent decisions and proactively lead projects to deliver results.

Nice To Haves

Pharmaceutical development and/or clinical supply chain experience.
Understanding of CMC development across modalities such as small molecules, large molecules, and vaccines.
Experience with Databricks and MLOps.
Familiarity with, or strong interest in, agentic AI and integrating AI agents into workflows.
Experience deploying applications or agents.

Responsibilities

Translate business problems, processes, and stakeholder requirements into mathematical models, frameworks, and technical specifications for models, agents, and data products.
Develop mathematical models to simulate or optimize business processes using methods such as machine learning, discrete event simulation, and optimization.
Develop and implement probabilistic forecasting and stochastic optimization techniques for decision-making under uncertainty.
Design sustainable analytics that can be integrated with WebApps or agents to streamline user interaction.
Translate data and model outputs into clear, concise, interpretable business insights.
Collaborate with Digital Operations Change Management and functional-area SMEs to define and implement AI-enabled decision-making processes across DSCS.
Develop business cases and articulate value propositions for new digital capabilities in collaboration with DSCS SMEs.
Define and track KPIs to monitor the value realized through digital transformation.
Design, build, and optimize scalable data pipelines with the Digital Operations Shared Services team, using Databricks, Python, Dataverse, and advanced SQL to create contextualized, AI-ready data products.
Design, test, and implement agentic AI workflows with the Agentic Intelligence team, using tools such as Copilot Studio to automate decisions and generate proactive business insights.
Develop and deploy user-friendly WebApps with the Digital Operations Shared Services team to support interaction with data and analytics.
Use VS Code, AI coding assistants such as Cline, and GitHub for development and version control of scripts, applications, and data models.
Work with system architects to support scalable, secure, and efficient DevOps.
Document processes, code, mathematical and data models, and system architectures; provide training and technical support to end users during rollout.
Advance the DDT Decision Intelligence Strategic Roadmap by developing reusable methods and components for decision intelligence across business domains.