Sr Director, Data Scientist

Head of Technical Development Data & Digital Team (Senior Director)

At Gilead, we’re creating a healthier world for all people. For more than 35 years, we’ve tackled diseases such as HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID‑19 and cancer – working relentlessly to develop therapies that help improve lives and to ensure access to these therapies across the globe. We continue to fight against the world’s biggest health challenges, and our mission requires collaboration, determination and a relentless drive to make a difference.

We are seeking a highly motivated individual to join the Technical Development Strategy and Operations team as Senior Director of Data & Digital Team. The successful candidate will lead the digital strategy, implementation roadmap, and cross‑functional coordination to transform processes through innovative digital solutions. This role will also lead the team that supports existing in silico tools, oversee the implementation of emerging technologies (including AI), and champion data‑driven, digitally powered ways of working.

Key Responsibilities

• Continuously refine a Technical Development Digital Enablement roadmap aligned to organizational priorities and enterprise platforms.

• Translate Technical Development‑specific digital needs into business cases for enterprise‑level investments.

• Lead the business case development and ROI analysis for new digital investments, effectively communicating trade‑offs between speed, cost, and scope to leadership.

• In partnership with IT, identify, evaluate, and create strategic partnerships with established and emerging technology providers.

• Drive digital pilots and implementations in partnership with key stakeholders.

• Foster relationships with internal partners (e.g., IT, CMC RA) and external vendors.

• Articulate a compelling vision for digital transformation within Technical Development.

• Leverage data science and AI models to transform the ways of working and accelerate development.

• Drive strategic data‑centric solutions to enable drug development.

• Scan the digital landscape for emerging tools applicable to small molecule and biologics development.

• Lead change management, including upskilling, communication planning, and user adoption.

• Partner with the broader Technical Development community to identify areas where digital can remove friction or enable leapfrog innovation.

• Serve as a bridge between Technical Development and PDM digital governance groups, representing Technical Development in steering committees and content working groups.

• Align efforts with data governance, structured data initiatives, and broader PDM digital programs.

• Create a collaborative and inclusive work environment, promoting teamwork and effective communication.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing team of data scientists.

Basic Qualifications

• BA/BS and 14+ years of relevant experience; OR

• MA/MS or PhD/Pharm

D and 12+ years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional training or certification in data science, informatics or digital transformation.

• At least 5 years in a leadership role managing teams across informatics, data science, or digital technologies applied to R&D or technical operation.

• Proven experience integrating data and digital tools into R&D workflows (e.g., PAT, lab informatics, digital twins, AI/ML for process optimization or predictive quality).

Technical & Strategic Skills

• Demonstrated enterprise mindset with ability to align Technical Development needs to enterprise platforms and solutions, ensuring scalability, interoperability, and long‑term business value.

• Proven success leading digital initiatives from strategy through implementation.

• Established data acumen, understanding of advanced analytics, data architecture, and data engineering.

• Strong AI fluency with experience deploying everyday AI tools and custom AI and digital solutions in a technical environment.

• Knowledge of data governance principles, systems integrations, and metadata management is a plus.

Leadership & Soft Skills

• Visionary leader who can define and execute a digital and data strategy for technical development.

• Excellent collaborator with…