Senior Director, Data Science & Gen AI

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association•Chicago, IL

1d•$215,000 - $295,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director, Data Science and GenAI is a senior leadership role focused on leading the development and application of Generative AI and advanced machine learning capabilities embedded across BCBSA’s data and analytic assets. This role strategically sets the direction and portfolio of activities to embed AI into BCBSA’s Blue System of intelligence data assets, and work across the BCBS System to make those capabilities available to BCBS Plans. This role sets the technical and analytic direction for Generative AI and Machine Learning capabilities embedded across BCBS System data assets and BHI’s Plan-level product offerings, operating in environments characterized by high ambiguity, rapid technological evolution, and complex data ecosystems. The Senior Director applies deep expertise in advanced analytics, machine learning, and GenAI to evaluate tradeoffs, establish standards, and guide critical decisions related to model selection, architecture, performance, scalability, and responsible AI practices. The role is accountable for navigating complex, non-routine problem spaces and translating emerging technologies into sustainable, enterprise-grade product capabilities with measurable business impact on cost of care, quality improvement, product differentiation, and revenue growth. This role serves as a subject matter expert across the BCBS System and the broader healthcare industry in advanced data science, applying machine learning, statistical, and mathematical techniques across heterogeneous and complex healthcare data. This role leads BCBSAs efforts to innovate and implement emerging AI technologies in its enterprise data and analytics assets, and acts as a executive thought leader to BCBSA technology and analytics committees . This leader works within BCBSA and BCBS Plans to set standards and best practices for computational, algorithmic, and predictive analytics to ensure solutions are scalable, responsible, and enterprise-ready. Working closely with Product, Engineering, and other BHI data science teams, the Senior Director leads end-to-end GenAI initiatives—from opportunity identification and proof-of-concept development through validation and production deployment—while maintaining a hands-on role in the most complex, high-risk, or novel analytic and GenAI designs. The role also mentors a high-performing data science team and advises leadership on the effective use of Generative AI to drive product differentiation and measurable business impact.

Requirements

Master's Degree Focused on machine learning (ML) or adjacent fields, including Analytics, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related field
At least 15 years experience with progressively more complex data science, applied statistics, machine learning, or mathematical modeling projects.
Experience with streaming and near-real-time data in healthcare (such as HL7 streams or FHIR applications) industry.
Experience with establishing and governing a Machine Learning Operationalization (MLOps) program, including the use of MLOps tools (e.g., MLFlow, Kubeflow).
Experience with major cloud computing platforms, AWS experience is highly preferred.
Experience with cloud-based data-as-a-service platforms (e.g., Snowflake, Synapse, Databricks).
Experience with Agile development practices, including development frameworks (e.g., Scrum or Kanban) and tools for continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD).
Experience working with Generative AI (GenAI), Large Language Models (LLM), Natural Language Processing (NLP), and other advanced analytics.
Strong fundamental knowledge of probability theory, stochastic systems, Bayesian inference, predictive modeling, supervised/unsupervised/deep learning
Natural language processing experience, particularly in the biological and medical domains.
A record of successful formulation, approval, and implementation of organizational strategies around advanced analytics in AI/ML.
Expertise in using machine learning and analytic tools such as SQL, R, and/or Python to analyze data in applied professional projects.
Familiarity with relational databases (e.g., MS SQL, Oracle, Postgres, MySQL).
Expertise in visualizing and manipulating big data sets.
Strong verbal and written communications skills with the demonstrated ability to explain complex technical concepts to a lay audience.
Demonstrated ability to deliver successful, profitable, repeatable, referenced analytic solutions.
Proven ability to develop staff to deliver world-class analytic solutions.
Knowledgeable in complex modeling topics, advanced statistics/biostatistics, algorithm design, and ML software packages.

Responsibilities

Responsible for setting the enterprise technical and analytic strategy for Generative AI for BCBSA’s BSI and national data assets, including long-term vision, architectural direction, capability roadmap, and standards for scalable, responsible AI embedded across all products.
Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, with accountability for key technical and analytic decisions, translating complex models and analytic findings into actionable insights that inform and activate business strategies.
Lead and individually contribute to large-scale data science initiatives, including end-to-end machine learning and GenAI model development, experimentation, and implementation.
Act as the subject matter expert in computational algorithms, model evaluation, and advanced data interpretation to assess performance, tradeoffs, and impact.
Lead and manage data science and machine learning R&D efforts across multiple product lines, data domains (medical, pharmacy, emerging clinical data), and customer-facing platforms.
Partner with Product Strategy to identify and apply Generative AI and advanced analytics within the product development process, with a focus on emerging healthcare trends and priorities.
Collaborate closely with Data Engineering to design scalable applications and optimal data architecture leveraging structured and unstructured data.
Establish and govern enterprise standards and best practices for analysis plans, ensuring rigor, reproducibility, ethical AI use, and compliance with regulatory and security requirements.
Drive education and adoption of data science and Generative AI across the organization by communicating vision, use cases, and value.
Manage and develop senior data science talent, supporting professional growth and succession readiness.
Manage external analytics vendors and partnerships, including relationships with AI vendors and academic experts in LLMs and NLP.
Work with executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to define requirements and develop AI and analytics R&D and strategic roadmaps.
Evaluate and implement new AI, ML, and Generative AI tools and technologies to enhance organizational capability and competitiveness.
Oversee the development of training datasets, data preprocessing pipelines, and testing frameworks to support advanced analytics and AI solutions.