Director, External Innovation (GenAI), R&D Data Science

Johnson & Johnson•San Diego, CA

2d•$164,000 - $282,900

About The Position

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/innovative-medicine The Director, External Innovation, R&D Data Science, will drive the identification, assessment, and execution of strategic AI/ML partnerships that deliver measurable impact across Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine (JJIM) R&D. This role is accountable for leading the development of partnerships, e.g., producing high-quality diligences, landscape analyses, and partnership assessments that inform and enable decision-making across the R&D value chain. The focus for this position is generative and agentic AI. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise, including hands-on experience, in computer science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, particularly in the development and deployment of generative AI technologies at industrial scale, with an interest in using their technical skills to identify, establish, and manage external partnerships. The role requires previous experience in healthcare/life sciences, and excellent strategic, business, and communication skills. It will be based in one of J&J’s Innovation Centers.

Requirements

PhD Preferred, Computer Science, Statistics, Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence, Physics, Mathematics, Computational Chemistry, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biology or a related discipline
6+ years of relevant work experience
Proven track record in developing and scaling AI/ML solutions, especially generative models, in a start-up, industrial, enterprise setting
Strong foundation in computer science, with hands-on experience in model architecture, deployment, and performance optimization.
Exceptional strategic thinking, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Experience working across scientific and technical domains, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable business strategies.
Experience developing strategic partnerships
Experience in healthcare and/or life sciences
Deep knowledge and expertise in the use of AI/ML for research and discovery within a pharma
Exceptional strategic thinking, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Experience working across scientific and technical domains, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable business strategies.
Experience developing strategic partnerships

Nice To Haves

Agility Jumps
Business Alignment
Continuous Improvement
Mentorship
Performance Measurement
Process Control
Program Management
Project Management Methodology (PMM)
Project Management Office (PMO)
Project Reporting
Project Schedule
Quality Control (QC)
Research and Development
Risk Management
Tactical Planning
Technical Credibility

Responsibilities

Landscape and assess: Conduct rigorous landscaping of external AI/ML capabilities, producing structured assessments that map strategic relevance to JJIM R&D priorities, delivering fit-for purpose landscape reports and assessments
Diligence and partnership development: Lead and participate in end-to-end diligence processes—including scientific scoping, technical evaluation, and business analysis—to support partnership formation with high-impact external entities, delivering detailed diligence briefs and advancing and leading the development of strategic partnerships with transformative potential
Partnership management and oversight: Manage, monitor, and evaluate ongoing strategic partnerships, ensuring delivery against research objectives and business milestones
Strategic contribution: Contribute to JJIM’s AI/ML strategy by synthesizing insights from external engagement into actionable recommendations. Actively collaborate with External Scientific Innovation as a member of one of J&J’s regional Innovation Centers.
Deliver comprehensive landscape reports and structured assessments of external AI/ML capabilities (including generative AI) relevant to JJIM R&D priorities.
Lead end-to-end diligence processes—scientific scoping, technical evaluation, and business analysis—to support partnership formation with high-impact external entities.
Produce detailed diligence briefs and advance strategic partnerships in collaboration with SMEs, transaction teams, and other stakeholders.
Alliance manage and oversee execution of ongoing strategic partnerships, ensuring delivery against research objectives and business milestones.
Provide direction, monitor progress, and generate periodic evaluation reports.
Contribute to JJIM’s AI/ML strategy by synthesizing insights from external engagement into actionable recommendations.
Collaborate with External Scientific Innovation team at regional Innovation Center

Benefits

medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, business accident insurance, and group legal insurance.
Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).
long-term incentive program
Vacation –120 hours per calendar year
Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year
Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year
Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year
Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child
Condolence Leave – 30 days for an immediate family member: 5 days for an extended family member
Caregiver Leave – 10 days
Volunteer Leave – 4 days
Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours