Senior Director, Immunology- AI Systems

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine•San Diego, CA

5d•$204,000 - $351,900

About The Position

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine is seeking a senior executive leader to shape and drive the enterprise-aligned AI strategy for Immunology R&D and translate it into an executable, value-focused portfolio of AI capabilities, data products, and AI solutions. The position may be based in New Brunswick, Raritan, or Titusville, New Jersey; Spring House, Pennsylvania; San Diego, California; or Cambridge, Massachusetts. U.S. remote work may be considered on a case-by-case basis and requires Company approval. The role sits at the intersection of Immunology discovery and clinical science, data, AI, product strategy, and organizational execution. The leader will establish strategic direction aligned with evolving Immunology Therapeutic Area priorities, identify and prioritize high-value opportunities across the R&D pipeline, and coordinate delivery with partners across the organization. Reporting through Research & Development Data, Data Science and AI (DDSAI) to the Vice President, Immunology and Cardiopulmonary, DDSAI, this leader will integrate Immunology business priorities with the technical capabilities needed to deliver them. They will provide technical judgment, portfolio leadership, governance, and operating discipline to advance priority AI opportunities from concept to scaled adoption and measurable impact. The successful candidate will lead and develop a high-performing team, build internal and external partnerships, and represent the Immunology AI strategy to senior R&D and enterprise stakeholders. The role emphasizes coherent, accountable AI capabilities that advance the Immunology R&D pipeline rather than disconnected pilots.

Requirements

Advanced degree (PhD, MD, PharmD, MS, or equivalent experience) in computer science, AI/ML, engineering, biomedical sciences, computational biology, applied mathematics, data science, or a related scientific or technical discipline.
At least 10 years of post-academic industry or equivalent experience, including leadership of complex data, digital, AI, or technology-enabled life sciences initiatives.
Demonstrated experience defining strategy and translating it into a prioritized roadmap and coordinated execution plan across complex multistakeholder ecosystems.
Strong technical fluency in AI/ML, data engineering, data products, analytics platforms, knowledge representation, and the lifecycle required to move solutions from prototype to scaled use.
Experience working with complex, high-dimensional biomedical data, such as omics, imaging, translational, clinical trial, biomarker, competitive intelligence, and real-world data.
Proven ability to lead through influence in a matrixed pharmaceutical organization, align senior stakeholders, resolve ambiguity, and drive decisions across organizational boundaries.
Experience establishing governance, operating models, portfolio management practices, and value-tracking mechanisms for AI, data, digital, or technology portfolios in pharmaceutical R&D.
Strong people leadership and talent-development experience.
Excellent executive communication, strategic thinking, synthesis, and decision-framing skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience in life sciences, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or medical technology; Immunology R&D experience is strongly preferred.
Experience leading enterprise or therapeutic-area AI strategy and execution across discovery and development workflows.
Experience with technical product management, agile delivery, change management, and scaled adoption of AI-enabled products.
Understanding of responsible AI, model validation, data privacy, security, regulatory expectations, and risk management in a biomedical environment.
Familiarity with enterprise data and metadata standards and frameworks such as CDISC, GA4GH, FHIR, and NCI Thesaurus, and with ontologies, knowledge graphs, and data catalogs.
Demonstrated ability to evaluate build-versus-buy-versus-partner decisions and manage strategic technology or external innovation partnerships.

Responsibilities

Define and maintain the Immunology AI strategy, translating therapeutic-area priorities and pipeline needs into a multi-year roadmap of AI-enabled capabilities, data products, and solutions.
Lead strategic portfolio planning, including opportunity identification, value framing, prioritization, sequencing, investment choices, dependency management, and resource alignment.
Create an integrated execution model across Immunology and enabling functions, with clear decision rights, accountable owners, milestones, risks, and measures of value.
Partner with Immunology scientific and development leaders to identify high-impact solutions across discovery, translational research, clinical development, biomarkers, evidence generation, and portfolio decision-making.
Provide technical leadership and informed challenge on AI solution design, data readiness, model suitability, validation, scalability, interoperability, and responsible use.
Orchestrate alignment and delivery across DDSAI and other functions, including J&J Technology, Immunology Therapeutic Area, Global Development, and Global Regulatory Affairs; resolve cross-functional dependencies that could limit delivery or adoption.
Ensure AI initiatives have fit-for-purpose data foundations, including standardized and reusable Immunology data products, metadata, ontologies, knowledge graphs, catalogs, and appropriate access pathways.
Establish portfolio governance and stage-gate decision processes that enable rapid experimentation and a disciplined path to production, scale, operations, and lifecycle management.
Define portfolio success measures, including scientific and business outcomes, user adoption, time or quality improvements, scalability, reuse, and return on investment.
Drive adoption and organizational change by engaging end users early, embedding AI capabilities into scientific and development workflows, and championing AI and data literacy through a robust change management strategy.
Build internal and external partnerships to monitor emerging AI capabilities and determine where to build, buy, partner, or reuse enterprise solutions.
Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing team spanning AI strategy, technical product leadership, data products, program execution, and stakeholder engagement.
Represent the Immunology AI strategy with senior R&D and enterprise stakeholders, communicating progress, choices, risks, and value clearly and in a decision-oriented manner.

Benefits

Consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)), subject to plan terms.
Eligibility to participate in the Company’s long-term incentive program.
Vacation: 120 hours per calendar year, subject to policy and hire date.
Sick time: 40 hours per calendar year, with specified higher amounts for employees residing in Colorado or Washington.
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 a child’s birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
Bereavement Leave: 240 hours for an immediate family member and 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year.
Caregiver Leave: 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period.
Volunteer Leave: 32 hours per calendar year.
Military Spouse Time-Off: 80 hours per calendar year.