Head of AI, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease Unit

AstraZeneca • Boston, MA

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Head of AI will set the enterprise AI strategy for Alexion, AstraZeneca’s rare disease unit, and translate it into measurable outcomes for science, operations and patients. Based in Boston, the role works across Research, Development and Regulatory Sciences, Operations and Commercial, identifying high-value opportunities and helping teams turn promising ideas into secure, scalable AI products. The position requires deep AI expertise, executive influence and the ability to create clarity as priorities and structures evolve.

The role will lead a multi-year AI roadmap and portfolio, establish the AI operating model and governance, strengthen AI and data architecture, and advise the Alexion Leadership Team. It will build AI capability across the organization, measure adoption and impact, embed responsible AI throughout the lifecycle, and develop trusted relationships across Alexion and AstraZeneca. The position is expected to work from the office an average of at least three days each week, with individual flexibility recognized.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare or another highly regulated global industry, with significant responsibility for AI, data, digital or technology strategy.
• 5+ years leading large-scale AI or digital transformation, with evidence of measurable organizational or business outcomes.
• Experience translating business and scientific priorities into scalable AI solutions.
• Working knowledge of AI platforms, modern data environments, privacy, security, governance, regulatory expectations and responsible AI.
• Experience leading through influence in complex, global and matrixed organizations, including environments where priorities, structures or decision rights are evolving.
• Ability to create clarity from ambiguity, make pragmatic decisions with incomplete information and bring diverse stakeholders together around shared outcomes.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, including presenting complex AI opportunities and trade-offs to senior leaders.
• Experience building, mentoring or coordinating multidisciplinary teams and professional communities.

Nice To Haves

• PhD, Master’s degree, or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Engineering, Information Technology, Life Sciences, Business, or a related discipline.
• Experience in biopharmaceuticals, biotechnology, healthcare or life sciences.
• Practical expertise in generative AI, machine learning, natural language processing and agentic AI.
• Ability to assess AI technologies, partners and model outputs, contribute to prototypes and architecture discussions, and communicate AI concepts to scientific, technical, business and executive audiences.
• Experience scaling secure and compliant AI solutions across research, development, operations or commercial environments.
• Evidence of thought leadership in AI, data, digital transformation or responsible innovation.
• Experience developing strategic partnerships or contributing to industry consortia, publications or professional forums.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead a multi-year AI roadmap aligned with Alexion’s business and scientific priorities, including investment needs, adoption goals, value measures and expected outcomes.
• Identify and prioritize AI opportunities by scientific, patient and business value, and turn promising concepts into funded initiatives with clear ownership from experimentation through scale and retirement.
• Define the AI operating model, including decision rights, governance, delivery standards and accountability across Research, Development and Regulatory Sciences, Operations and Commercial.
• Assess emerging AI technologies, including generative and agentic AI, and help teams develop opportunities into secure products with criteria for experimentation, scaling, user feedback and lifecycle management.
• Partner with technology, data, scientific and business leaders on AI and data architecture, integration patterns, platform standards, data quality and model lifecycle governance.
• Embed responsible AI, privacy and security throughout the AI lifecycle.
• Serve as a senior AI advisor to the Alexion Leadership Team, translating technical and business considerations into clear choices and recommendations.
• Expand AI fluency through practical learning, communities of practice, coaching and role-based development, enabling responsible everyday use and measurement of adoption and outcomes.
• Establish measures for AI adoption and impact, track results against approved value cases, and communicate progress, risks and actions.
• Embed governance, validation, transparency, bias management, human oversight, privacy, security, regulatory alignment and auditability into AI solutions; contribute to external forums and evolving industry practices.
• Build trusted relationships across Alexion and AstraZeneca, clarify priorities, ownership and trade-offs, develop AI leaders and strengthen the AI community across the rare disease value chain.

Benefits

• Short-term incentive bonus opportunity.
• Eligibility to participate in an equity-based long-term incentive program for salaried roles.
• Qualified retirement program (401(k) plan).
• Paid vacation and holidays.
• Paid leaves.
• Medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: No Education Listed