Senior Director, Data & AI

Terrestrial Bio•Woburn, MA

22h•Hybrid

About The Position

Terrestrial Bio is establishing Data & AI as an independent business capability reporting directly to the CEO. The Senior Director will define the company’s data strategy, build its data systems and pipelines, lead applied AI initiatives, and hire and manage the team responsible for execution. This is a hands-on, build-from-the-ground-up role working with leaders across R&D, manufacturing, clinical/regulatory, quality, and business functions. The role owns the Data & AI roadmap and budget, data infrastructure and governance, a canonical data ontology, and the selection and integration of core systems such as MES, ERP, and ELN. It also leads practical agentic automation initiatives and establishes applied-AI governance, including documentation, audit logging, and change control suitable for a GxP-regulated environment. The position reports progress, risks, and plans to executive leadership, the CEO, and the Board. The role is based in Woburn, Massachusetts, with a planned move to Terrestrial’s new Allston facility in Q4 2026. Candidates must be willing to work onsite four to five days per week; the company describes roles as onsite or hybrid. The anticipated base salary range is $230,000–$270,000, with actual compensation determined by experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

Requirements

At least 8 years in data or analytics leadership roles.
Demonstrated experience building a data function from zero to a functioning team, including hiring and management.
Working fluency in GxP and regulatory contexts, including understanding the importance of data lineage, audit trails, and change control.
Direct experience selecting and integrating MES, ERP, or LIMS/ELN systems.
Ability to operate as a peer to functional VPs while reporting to the CEO.
Experience preparing data or technical materials for institutional fundraising or Board reporting.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate between scientists, engineers, and executives.
Comfort working in a fast-moving company and building systems and teams.

Nice To Haves

At least 3 years of experience in biotech, pharma, or another regulated life-sciences environment.
Prior experience with agentic AI or LLM-based data pipelines in a regulated environment.
Familiarity with microneedle array or drug-delivery device manufacturing.
Experience at a Series A-to-B company building data infrastructure ahead of diligence.

Responsibilities

Own the Data & AI roadmap and budget, align it with company growth and pipeline advancement, and report progress directly to the CEO.
Design and implement data infrastructure, including pipelines, storage, and governance across functions and projects.
Ratify a canonical Data Ontology Dictionary with Research, Development, Manufacturing, and QA stakeholders, resolving contested definitions.
Design and establish a data governance charter and RACI across functional stakeholders, with appropriate privacy and security.
Hire, onboard, and manage the Data & AI team.
Select and oversee the integration of MES, ERP, and ELN systems against a single governed data model.
Direct the design of an agentic pipeline connecting Research’s Google Drive environment with Development’s SharePoint environment.
Own the applied-AI governance framework, including agent design documentation, audit logging, and change control appropriate for a GxP-regulated environment.
Manage vendor relationships and RFP processes for QMS and other data-critical systems.
Ensure data systems meet regulatory requirements and data integrity standards.
Communicate Data & AI strategy, progress, risks, and issues to executive leadership.
Present the roadmap and team growth plans to the CEO and Board ahead of the Series B close.