Head of AI

Protagonist Therapeutics • Newark, NJ

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

This role is accountable for delivering production-ready AI solutions that drive measurable business impact, not just strategy or advisory work. The individual will lead the design and deployment of AI-enabled products, platforms, and capabilities that enhance effectiveness and efficiency across R&D, Clinical Development, Regulatory, Manufacturing, Finance, Legal, and Corporate Functions. This role sits at the intersection of technology, science, operations, and governance. The successful candidate will combine strategic vision with hands-on execution, ensuring AI initiatives move beyond experimentation to scalable, durable solutions aligned with the needs of a lean, clinical-stage biotech.

First-year priorities:
Identify and prioritize 2–3 high-impact AI use cases across the organization
Launch initial pilots and drive at least one solution into production deployment
Establish a practical AI operating model, including governance, vendor strategy, and cross-functional engagement
Build early adoption and trust by delivering clear, measurable wins
We are committed to a thriving in-office culture. This role requires being on-site at our office in Newark, CA 4 days a week.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MS, PhD, MBA) strongly preferred in fields such as Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Life Sciences, or related disciplines
• 10+ years of experience spanning technology, data, or digital transformation
• Experience building and deploying AI or advanced analytics solutions into production environments
• Demonstrated ability to drive AI adoption across multiple business functions
• Experience in heavily regulated industries (biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, financial services, or similar) strongly preferred
• Strong understanding of modern AI/ML technologies, data platforms, and product development lifecycles
• Deep appreciation for governance, ethics, security, and regulatory considerations associated with AI
• Executive presence and credibility with C‑suite leaders and Boards of Directors
• Exceptional ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business value
• Pragmatic, outcomes‑oriented mindset with a bias toward execution
• High integrity, sound judgment, and comfort operating in ambiguous, fast‑moving environments

Responsibilities

• Define and own AI and digital transformation strategy aligned with corporate and scientific priorities
• Identify high-impact use cases and prioritize based on value, feasibility, and risk
• Develop a focused, right-sized roadmap balancing speed and scalability
• Lead the design, build, and deployment of AI-enabled products and tools
• Ensure solutions are production-ready, adopted, secure, and maintainable
• Drive delivery of solutions that improve productivity, speed, and decision-making quality
• Partner with internal teams and external vendors to build applications across analytics, automation, and decision support
• Embed AI into workflows across R&D, Clinical, Regulatory, Quality, Finance, Legal, HR, and IT
• Translate business and scientific needs into actionable technical requirements
• Build trust through practical, explainable, and usable solutions
• Partner with IT, Data, Legal, and Compliance teams to ensure robust data architecture, security, and access controls
• Establish AI governance frameworks addressing model validation, bias, data provenance, regulatory scrutiny, and ethical use
• Ensure compliance with global regulations, data privacy laws, and evolving AI‑related regulatory expectations
• Build and lead a high‑performing AI and digital function (internal and/or external), including data scientists, engineers, and product leaders
• Upskill the broader organization through education, change management, and practical AI literacy
• Serve as a thought partner to the executive leadership team and Board of Directors on AI‑related opportunities and risks
• Define success metrics and KPIs for AI initiatives, with clear accountability for outcomes
• Track adoption, performance, ROI, and risk across deployed AI solutions
• Continuously refine strategy based on results, organizational maturity, and technological advances

Benefits

• Health Care benefits
• Protagonist covers 100% of the premium cost for medical, dental, and vision coverage for all full-time employees and their dependents
• Flexible Spending Accounts – Healthcare FSA, Dependent Care FSA, Commuter Benefits
• 401(k) Plan
• Flexible Vacation Policy
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Company paid lunch and snacks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive