Job DescriptionPosition SummaryAs an Associate Director within the INDIGO | AI Innovation Lab, you will lead the development and scaling of data science capabilities across the enterprise while acting as a technical expert and mentor within the team. You will take ownership of key projects and work closely with senior stakeholders to deliver data science-driven solutions that align with enterprise goals. This is a hands-on role where you will develop and implement cutting- edge data science solutions, build and maintain digital products, and enable the democratization of data through scalable tools and best practices. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical foundation in AI-driven operations analytics across the pharmaceutical value chain - including supply chain, manufacturing, quality, EH&S, and business process excellence; inquisitive data science skills; clear and compelling communication skills; an exceptional sense of ownership and accountability; and experience in the pharmaceutical or health-related industry.
This role is based in our Waltham location and would work a hybrid weekly office schedule.
ResponsibilitiesKey ResponsibilitiesSupport and Scale Data Science Use Cases- Develop and deploy complex analytical models and insights to inform strategic decisions
- Implement data science solutions, including but not limited to agentic AI applications and predictive ML models
- Develop pilot operations planning and optimization use cases using established operations research methodologies, with a focus on validation, impact, and scalable deployment
- Scale proof-of-concept data science ideas and products into maintainable production software services; Leverage best practices for production-ready code development and DevOps to build solutions that are stable, efficient, and scalable
Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration- Act as a key partner to cross-functional teams, providing technical and strategic guidance in the design, development, and implementation of digital products, optimization tools, and AI-driven solutions
- Serve as a trusted advisor to stakeholders helping them understand INDIGO's capabilities and guiding them in translating complex business challenges into high-impact data science use cases
- Facilitate structured discovery and problem-framing sessions to identify root causes, uncover operational inefficiencies, and prioritize opportunities where AI/ML, optimization, or automation can drive measurable value
- Collaborate closely with domain experts to ensure models and solutions reflect real-world constraints and operational realities
- Influence decision-making through clear, actionable communication, synthesizing complex analytical results into insights that resonate with both technical and non-technical audiences
- Champion change management and adoption, ensuring stakeholders understand, trust, and effectively integrate new AI/ML tools into their workflows
- Build long-term partnerships with business owners, fostering ongoing collaboration, feedback loops, and continuous improvement for products and models in production
Lead the Development of Data Science Capabilities- Design and build production-grade digital tools, reusable frameworks, and scalable AI/ML platforms that drive operational performance and enterprise efficiency while establishing consistent, reusable foundations for all current and future AI applications
- Lead and manage high-impact data science initiatives across the organization, including scope, timelines, and resource needs
- Evangelize and contribute to scaled adoption of ML and AI capabilities across the organization
- Stay updated with advancements in data science and integrate emerging technologies into solutions where applicable
- Track and report progress on data science initiatives while accounting for shifting priorities and timelines to ensure alignment with strategic objectives
- Champion FAIR principles and guide the organization in their application to ensure long-term data usability and accessibility
Functional Ownership of Digital Products- Bring end-to-end product lifecycle management mindset to INDIGO initiatives, with a clear focus on optimizing long-term value of developed products and capabilities
- Take ownership of INDIGO products within the operations domain, ensuring products' reliability, scalability, and continued business relevance. Play a key role in shaping portfolio strategy by contributing expert judgment and nuanced thinking on the direction, growth, and integration of the products they own
- Mentor and develop the talent supporting their product portfolio, fostering a collaborative and continuously learning team environment
QualificationsBasic QualificationsEducation- Master's degree in Data Science, Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, Statistics, or related field
- Ph.D. preferred
Experience- 10+ years building and deploying advanced analytics, operations research, or machine learning/AI solutions with measurable value impact
- Experience solving Operations-focused problems (e.g., supply chain analytics, logistics optimization, manufacturing performance, inventory modeling) within pharmaceutical domain strongly preferred
Technical Skills- Proficiency in production programming in languages such as Python and SQL. Comfort with foundational ML and AI libraries such as pandas, Numpy, scikit-learn, etc. is required. Experience with optimization tools (e.g., OR-Tools, Gurobi, Pyomo) is a strong plus.
- Familiarity with cloud computing and ML platforms - AWS platform required; Snowflake experience preferred. Prior experience with use of AI tools in code development and management workflows is a plus.
- Strong knowledge of ML algorithms, LLMs, statistical analysis techniques, and end-to-end MLOps management.
- Experience with data pipelines, data governance, and engineering best practices (DBT experience preferred).
Core Competencies- Proven ability to design and implement high-quality end-to-end data science and GenAI solutions, from conceptualization and discovery through to tangible value delivery to the business
- Strong problem solving and analytical skills, with an aptitude for technical and stakeholder management innovation
- Strong leadership and project management skills, with experience mentoring junior data scientists
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams and get buy-in from stakeholders with a wide spectrum of technical proficiency
- Strong organizational skills, with experience managing multiple projects and competing priorities and ambiguities in a fast-paced environment
Preferred Qualifications- Experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare industries.
- Familiarity with regulatory and compliance standards (e.g., HIPAA).
- Exposure to GenAI innovation and simulation modeling.
- Ability to work a weekly hybrid schedule in our Waltham office.
The annual base salary for this position ranges from $158,000 to $180,000. In addition, this position is eligible for an annual performance pay bonus. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, training, knowledge, and experience. Alkermes offers a competitive benefits package. Additional details can be found on our careers website: www.alkermes.com/careers#working-here
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