Head of AI, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease Unit

Introduction to role

AI is changing how rare diseases are discovered, developed and treated.

As Head of AI, Alexion, you will set the enterprise AI strategy for Alexion, AstraZeneca's rare disease unit, and turn that strategy into measurable outcomes for science, operations and patients.

Based in Boston, this role works across Research, Development and Regulatory Sciences, Operations and Commercial. The Head of AI will identify high-value opportunities, shape a focused portfolio and help teams move promising ideas into secure, scalable AI products.

Success requires strong AI expertise, executive influence and the ability to create clarity when priorities or structures are still evolving. The role will bring business, scientific, data and technology leaders together around practical decisions and measurable outcomes.
Accountabilities

Set the enterprise AI strategy

Develop and lead a multi-year AI roadmap aligned with Alexion's business and scientific priorities. Define investment needs, adoption goals, value measures and expected outcomes across functions and geographies.
Build a high-value AI portfolio

Identify and prioritize AI opportunities based on scientific, patient and business value. Turn promising concepts into funded initiatives with clear ownership from experimentation through scale and retirement.
Establish the AI operating model

Define how AI decisions are made across Research, Development and Regulatory Sciences, Operations and Commercial. Create clear decision rights, governance, delivery standards and accountability for adoption and value.
Turn innovation into scalable products

Assess emerging AI technologies, including generative and agentic AI. Help teams develop high-value opportunities into secure products with clear criteria for experimentation, scaling, user feedback and lifecycle management.
Strengthen architecture and governance

Partner with technology, data, scientific and business leaders on AI and data architecture, integration patterns, platform standards, data quality and model lifecycle governance. Embed responsible AI, privacy and security throughout the AI lifecycle.
Advise senior leaders

Serve as a senior AI advisor to the Alexion Leadership Team. Translate complex technical and business considerations into clear choices and recommendations that support decisions, investment and prioritization.
Build AI capability across Alexion

Expand AI fluency through practical learning, communities of practice, coaching and role-based development. Enable teams to apply AI responsibly in their everyday work and measure adoption and outcomes.
Measure value and performance

Establish meaningful measures for AI adoption and impact, including scientific advancement, cycle time, capacity, operational efficiency, decision quality, revenue and cost. Track results against approved value cases and communicate progress, risks and actions clearly.
Advance responsible AI

Embed governance, validation, transparency, bias management, human oversight, privacy, security, regulatory alignment and auditability into AI solutions. Contribute to external forums and evolving industry practices.
Lead through influence

Build trusted relationships across Alexion and AstraZeneca. Create clarity around priorities, ownership and trade-offs while developing AI leaders and strengthening the AI community across the rare disease value chain.
Essential Skills/Experience

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare or another highly regulated global industry, with significant responsibility for AI, data, digital or technology strategy.
• 5+ years leading large-scale AI or digital transformation, with evidence of measurable organizational or business outcomes.
• Experience translating business and scientific priorities into scalable AI solutions.
• Working knowledge of AI platforms, modern data environments, privacy, security, governance, regulatory expectations and responsible AI.
• Experience leading through influence in complex, global and matrixed organizations, including environments where priorities, structures or decision rights are evolving.
• Ability to create clarity from ambiguity, make pragmatic decisions with incomplete information and bring diverse stakeholders together around shared outcomes.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, with experience presenting complex AI opportunities and trade-offs to senior leaders.
• Experience building, mentoring or coordinating multidisciplinary teams and professional communities.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• PhD, Master's degree, or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Engineering, Information Technology, Life Sciences, Business, or a related discipline.
• Experience in biopharmaceuticals, biotechnology, healthcare or life sciences.
• Practical expertise in generative AI, machine learning, natural language processing and agentic AI.
• Ability to assess AI technologies, partners and model outputs, contribute to prototypes and architecture discussions, and communicate AI concepts to scientific, technical, business and executive audiences.
• Experience scaling secure and compliant AI solutions across research, development, operations or commercial environments.
• Evidence of thought leadership in AI, data, digital transformation or responsible innovation.
• Experience developing strategic partnerships or contributing to industry consortia, publications or professional forums.

Ways of working

Working together in person helps teams connect across disciplines, solve complex problems and move ideas forward. This role follows AstraZeneca's expectation of working from the office an average of at least three days each week, while recognizing the importance of individual flexibility.
Ready to make an impact?

Bring your AI expertise, strategic thinking and leadership to Alexion and help shape the next generation of AI-enabled rare disease innovation. Together, we can accelerate decisions, strengthen scientific and operational capabilities, and create meaningful impact for patients around the world.

Date Posted
28-Oct-2026

Closing Date
05-Nov-2026