Job Function: R&D Operations
Job Sub Function: Multi-Family R&D Operations
Job Category:People Leader
All Job Posting Locations:Spring House, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Job Description:Our expertise in Innovative Medicine is informed and inspired by patients, whose insights fuel our science-based advancements. Visionaries like you work on teams that save lives by developing the medicines of tomorrow.
Join us in developing treatments, finding cures, and pioneering the path from lab to life while championing patients every step of the way.
Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/innovative-medicine
An internal pre-identified candidate for consideration has been identified. However, qualified applications will be considered.
About the opportunity:Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine is seeking a
Director, AI-Native Operations to join our Therapeutics Discovery team. This position will be located at our office in Spring House, PA. (No remote option.)
Purpose: The Director, AI Native Operations will serve as a strategic and operational leader responsible for establishing, scaling, and sustaining Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine's AI-Native Discovery operating model. This individual will partner closely with Discovery, DDSAI, JJT, PSTS, Finance, Procurement, and external partners to accelerate deployment of an integrated AI-Native Design-Make-Test-Learn (DMTL) engine that combines proprietary data generation, automation, advanced AI (artificial intelligence) capabilities, and human scientific expertise to transform drug discovery.
This role will drive cross-functional execution of a multi-year transformation agenda supporting biologics and small molecule closed-loop discovery capabilities. The Director will establish governance, operational frameworks, portfolio management processes, investment planning, performance tracking, talent strategies, and change management programs necessary to deliver measurable pipeline impact and competitive advantage through AI-enabled discovery.
The successful candidate will operate as a key leader within the AI-Native Discovery Core Team, ensuring alignment across scientific, digital, automation, data, and business functions while enabling timely decision making, resource optimization, and accelerated execution.
You will be responsible for:- Lead the operational management of the AI-Native Discovery portfolio across biologics, small molecules, data, AI, and automation workstreams.
- Develop and maintain integrated plans, budgets, resource forecasts, and risk management processes.
- Coordinate execution of major milestones including talent acquisition, data infrastructure deployment, automation implementation, and external partnerships.
- Monitor performance against program objectives and develop mitigation plans where necessary.
- Establish reporting mechanisms for executive leadership and funding governance committees.
Leadership Characteristics:- Demonstrates enterprise leadership and strategic thinking across scientific, digital, and operational domains.
- Drives organizational transformation through influence, collaboration, and execution excellence.
- Creates clarity and alignment in highly matrixed environments with diverse stakeholders.
- Champions innovation and continuous improvement while maintaining focus on business outcomes.
- Establishes trusted partnerships across functions, geographies, and external organizations.
- Balances long-term strategic vision with operational rigor and near-term delivery.
Qualifications / Requirements:Education: Minimum of a Bachelor's degree is required. Master's Degree is preferred in Life Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Business, or related discipline.
Skills/Experience:- At least 8 years of progressive leadership experience in pharmaceutical R&D, biotechnology, technology-enabled research, or related fields.
- Demonstrated experience leading large-scale cross-functional transformation initiatives.
- Strong understanding of drug discovery, R&D operations, and portfolio management.
- Experience implementing digital, AI/ML, automation, or advanced analytics capabilities within scientific environments.
- Knowledge of data governance, digital product management, and technology-enabled operating models.
- Strong financial acumen with experience managing substantial operational budgets and investment portfolios.
- Proven ability to influence senior executives and lead across matrix organizations.
- Experience driving organizational change, capability building, and cultural transformation.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Demonstrated success managing strategic external partnerships and collaborations.
- Ability to translate complex strategies into executable operational plans.
- Travel up to 10% domestic and international as required.
This position will be located at our office in Spring House, PA. (No remote option.)
The anticipated base pay range for this position is $164,000 to $282,900. The Company maintains highly competitive, performance-based compensation programs. Under current guidelines, this position is eligible for an annual performance bonus in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan. The annual performance bonus is a cash bonus intended to provide an incentive to achieve annual targeted results by rewarding for individual and the corporation's performance over a calendar/performance year. Bonuses are awarded at the Company's discretion on an individual basis. Employees and/or eligible dependents may be eligible to participate in the following Company sponsored employee benefit programs: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, business accident insurance, and group legal insurance.
Employees may be eligible to participate in the Company's consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).
Employees are eligible for the following time off benefits:
Vacation - up to 120 hours per calendar year
Sick time - up to 40 hours per calendar year
Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays - up to 13 days per calendar year of Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year
Additional information can be found through the link below. https://www.careers.jnj.com/employee-benefits
The compensation and benefits information set forth in this posting applies to candidates hired in the United States. Candidates hired outside the United States will be eligible for compensation and benefits in accordance with their local market.
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Required Skills: Preferred Skills: 
