Senior Director, AI Data Science

SUMMARY/JOB PURPOSE The Senior Director, AI Data Science is a senior leader accountable to help shape and execute the strategy, operating model, and innovation roadmap for AI/ML and data science in support of the Data and Statistical Sciences and wider Development organization. A key focus is ensuring operational efficiency gains. This role helps establish the scientific and methodological standards that translate complex clinical, operational, translational, and real-world datasets into high-quality, actionable insights that inform drug-development decisions.

As part of the Center of Data Excellence, the Senior Director builds and leads a multidisciplinary team; helps shape the AI/ML investment and platform strategy; and serves as a thought leader and partner across Biostatistics, Statistical Programming, Clinical Data Management, IT, and the broader R&D organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES Help define and drive the multi-year AI/ML and data science strategy, roadmap, and operating model for the function, aligning investments with portfolio priorities and enterprise objectives.

Lead and develop a high-performing team; set goals, allocate resources, manage performance and drive succession and talent development.

Establish standards and acceptance criteria for AI/ML model development, validation, interpretability and responsible/Generative-AI use in a regulated environment.

Serve as a senior scientific and strategic partner to Biostatistics, Statistical Programming, Clinical Data Management, IT and broader R&D, helping shape strategies that enable efficiencies and portfolio decisions.

Guide the design and scale-up of analytics products, LLM-based and Generative-AI workflows (e.g., automated TLF review, protocol digitalization), and decision-enablement dashboards from prototype through production hand-off.

Oversee the data platform, pipeline and reproducibility strategy on Databricks and cloud infrastructure, helping set standards for MLOps/LLMOps, version control, security, and audit-readiness.

Contribute to the AI governance, risk-management and compliance framework in cross-functional partnerships.

Represent Exelixis externally through publications, conference presentations, white papers, and industry engagement.

Champion a culture of scientific rigor, innovation, mentorship, and continuous learning across the data science team.

Performs other duties as assigned

Complies with all policies and standardsSUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES Leads a functional team, including direct management of managers and/or senior individual contributors.

Indirectly supervise employees in other functions through a dotted line structure or via other subordinate supervisors.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS & ABILITIES Education

Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Biostatistics, Bioinformatics or a related quantitative field and a minimum of 15 years of experience; or,Master's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Biostatistics, Bioinformatics or a related quantitative field and a minimum of 13 years of experience; or,PhD in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Biostatistics, Bioinformatics or a related quantitative field and a minimum of 12 years of experience;

or,Equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience

Significant experience leading the development and deployment of AI/ML and data science solutions in a clinical, pharmaceutical, or life-sciences setting, including in GxP-regulated environments.

Demonstrated experience leading and building teams (including managing managers), setting functional strategy, and managing budgets and external partnerships.

Proven track record influencing executive and cross-functional stakeholders and…