Data Domain Lead, Real World Data (Director)

Thermo Fisher Scientific•Wilmington, NC

1d•Remote

About The Position

At Thermo Fisher’s PPD clinical research business, we’re using digital innovation, data science, and AI to reimagine how life-changing therapies reach patients. Our teams combine deep scientific expertise with advanced analytics, automation, and digital platforms to make research smarter, faster, and more connected. We know that innovation happens when diverse minds meet. Our Digital Science, Data, and AI professionals collaborate closely with scientists, clinicians, and operational experts to solve real-world challenges in clinical research. Alongside our partnership with Open AI, you can be part of the collaboration that will help to improve the speed and success of drug development, enabling customers to get medicines to patients faster and more cost effectively. You’ll join a culture that values experimentation, learning, and collaboration — where your ideas can help shape how we deliver life-saving solutions and improve global health outcomes. Whether you’re a data engineer, product manager, software developer, or AI scientist, you’ll find opportunities here to apply your skills to work that truly matters — improving global health outcomes. Position Summary The Data Domain Lead, Real World Data (known internally as Director IT, band 9) owns the end-to-end data strategy, prioritization, technical roadmap, and delivery for the Real-World Data (RWD) domain within PPD Digital, responsible for delivering value via trusted, interoperable, AI-ready data products and capabilities. This role complements other RWD and evidence-generation efforts across the organization by focusing on the application of real-world data (RWD) in the clinical operations context (e.g. enhancing clinical trial design, feasibility, and execution) within PPD Digital. The Domain Lead is accountable for embedding RWD into clinical operations workflows and PPD Digital products to improve study outcomes such as feasibility, site selection, enrollment, and trial performance. Reporting to the Head of Data Capabilities, PPS Digital, this role leads Domain Managers, Data Solutions Specialists, BSAs, MDM/quality analysts, and technical delivery teams and operates in a matrix with Data Platforms, Digital Products, and Data Governance. The role partners closely with internal RWD and evidence-focused teams to align on enterprise data strategy and maximize reuse of cross-enterprise data assets and partnerships, while maintaining primary accountability for RWD use cases related to clinical trial operations and PPD Digital product enablement. Primary focus areas for RWD applications include: Site selection and feasibility optimization Patient recruitment and enrollment forecasting Protocol design and study optimization Integration of RWD into CRG Digital data products and platforms

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent and relevant formal academic / vocational qualification (MBA or Master's degree preferred).
Previous data leadership experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 10+ years’ experience)
Data leadership experience across strategy /analytics /engineering /governance.
Proven track record in developing data roadmaps, setting priorities, and capturing value metrics around data consumption.
Strong understanding of real-world data (RWD) and its application to clinical trial design and operations
Demonstrated success partnering within matrix organizations and external partner teams to deliver complex, regulated data deliverables.
Deep understanding of clinical trial operations (recruitment, start-up, clinical operations, data management, RBM, safety) and associated regulations.
In some cases, an equivalency, consisting of appropriate education, training, and/or directly related experience will be considered sufficient for an individual to meet the requirements of the role.
Able to communicate, receive, and understand information and ideas with diverse groups of people in a comprehensible and reasonable manner.
Able to work upright and stationary for typical working hours.
Ability to use and learn standard office equipment and technology with proficiency.
Able to perform successfully under pressure while prioritizing and handling multiple projects or activities.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes a drug screening.

Nice To Haves

RWD leadership experience in a CRO, eClinical data provider, pharmaceutical/biotech company, or digital health/data startup
Expertise in making data AI/ML ready.
Published thought leadership on data and digital clinical-trial innovation.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute the vision and roadmap for RWD within clinical trial operations and PPD Digital products.
Define and track value metrics tied to clinical trial performance and sponsor outcomes, including improvements in enrollment efficiency, cycle time reduction, data adoption, and operational decision-making effectiveness.
Ensure that trusted, high-quality data is available at the right time by prioritizing data initiatives against these roadmaps on an ongoing basis.
Identify and secure external data partnerships aligned to clinical trial and digital product use cases, ensuring that sourced data is fit-for-purpose for operational decision-making and integrates effectively into PPD Digital platforms.
Partner with internal stakeholders, Legal, and other teams as needed to address barriers to data access.
Conduct initial evaluation of enterprise relevant targets and lead partnership scoping, business case alignment, deal construct/negotiations, internal management and external alliance management for external enterprise data partners.
Lead technical execution of internal data delivery, ensuring that business requirements are translated into scalable data solutions.
Work closely with engineering and platform teams to deliver interoperable, AI-ready data assets.
Line-manage and coach domain talent, including a combination of FTE and external partner team resources.
Foster a data-product mindset and a collaborative and inclusive team environment that encourages innovation and continuous improvement.
Provide oversight of and strong engagement with external partner teams to ensure that they function as a flexible and seamless extension of PPD's internal teams.
Serve as executive liaison to product and relevant project teams within PPD Digital.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders in PPD divisions to ensure alignment and support for data initiatives and translate enterprise Real World Data needs into shared data priorities and capabilities.
Partner with internal RWD, scientific, and evidence teams to ensure alignment of data strategies and maximize reuse of enterprise data assets across use cases.
Drive data stewardship and governance within assigned domain, in partnership with Data Governance lead.
Work with the business to define data governance and quality rules, as well as requirements for mastering data domains.
Ensure relevant metadata is captured in PPD Digital data catalog.
Sets a strategic vision and rolling 12-month plan for the domain, aligned to PPD Digital product roadmaps, enterprise priorities, and cross-business value; continually reprioritizes the portfolio based on impact, risk, and readiness.
Treats the domain as a product: curates a backlog, defines acceptance/release criteria, and ensures data products are discoverable, interoperable, and AI-ready.
Maps internal sources/flows and appropriate uses; identifies gaps and secures external data through business casing, negotiation, and alliance management for enterprise data needs, spanning multiple PPD domains and business units.
Collaborates with business units to align on domain-specific value realization and division level partnerships where appropriate
Translates business needs into technical requirements; partners with Platforms/Engineering to land models, pipelines, and semantic layers in the data platform.
Aligns divisional leaders, product owners, and delivery teams without direct authority; drives adoption through narratives, education, and enablement.
Builds and coaches a blended team (FTE + partners) and holds vendors to outcomes; fosters a collaborative, inclusive, continuous-improvement culture.
Understands clinical trial operations and related processes (e.g., study start-up, data management, RBM, safety) to ensure data strategy meets real-world needs.
Scans internal/external capabilities; sequences pragmatic pilots that advance interoperability, reusability, and AI enablement; evaluates commercialization where relevant.
Crafts narratives linking data product delivery to business value.