Executive Director, Applied AI

About the job For our client, we are seeking a Executive Director Applied AI to join the team of a leader in the Pharmaceuticals & Biotech space. This role will lead work at the intersection of data, AI-enabled capabilities, and scalable technology delivery. You will work across engineering, product, operations, and business stakeholders to translate complex requirements into practical technology solutions. The position offers the opportunity to influence architecture, execution quality, and the technology capabilities that enable long-term growth within a life sciences environment. Location: Remote - US based candidates only, no visa sponsorship available Compensation: $201,400 – $335,000 annually Responsibilities Lead product-aligned engineering teams to deliver scalable AI applications and services Drive AI-assisted development practices to redefine engineering productivity Establish a target operating model enhancing output through AI tooling Shift focus to solution architecture, validation, and integration of AI services Own reliable delivery of AI/ML solutions and integrated feature pipelines Build and scale a modern AI-native execution layer for operationalizing decisions Establish end-to-end AI lifecycle management, ensuring reliability and compliance Qualifications Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred in computer science, engineering, or AI/ML 15+ years of experience in software or platform engineering, with a focus on technology leadership Experience delivering AI/ML and/or GenAI-enabled systems, including operational considerations Demonstrated ability to implement scalable platform architectures in complex environments Proven success in evolving engineering towards AI-assisted and automation-first practices Experience in regulated environments, preferably healthcare or life sciences Benefits Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with health incentives Employee assistance and family support programs, including tuition reimbursement At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO) and 10 paid holidays annually Retirement savings programs, including a competitive 401(k) plan Employees' Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) available for stock at a discount Our client is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification—your background could be exactly what this team needs. Desired Skills and Experience AI engineering, Python, MLOps, API integration, RPA (Robotic Process Automation), GenAI, Codex-style tools, Automation frameworks, AI coding assistants, Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), Data warehousing solutions (e.g., Snowflake), Version control systems (e.g., Git), Machine Learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch), Containerization tools (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes), Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI), CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) practices, Distributed systems, Collaboration platforms (e.g., JIRA, Confluence)