Associate Director (Staff Data Scientist), Enterprise Data Science
Position Summary
As 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, thought partner, and mentor within the team. You will take ownership of key AI and machine learning initiatives 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 Commercial Analytics within the pharmaceutical industry; inquisitive data science skills; clear and compelling communication skills; an exceptional sense of ownership and accountability; and demonstrated success delivering machine learning products that create business value.
This role is based in our Waltham location and would work a hybrid office schedule.
Key Responsibilities
Support and Scale Data Science Use Cases
Develop and deploy complex analytical models and predictive insights to inform strategic decisions.
Implement data science solutions, including but not limited to predictive machine learning models, recommender systems, and agentic AI applications.
Lead development of commercial AI use cases including HCP targeting, customer suggestions, commercial opportunity identification, prescribing behavior prediction, and customer segmentation.
Scale proof-of-concept data science ideas and products into maintainable production software services; leverage best practices for production-ready code development and MLOps to build solutions that are stable, efficient, and scalable.
Partner with engineering teams to operationalize machine learning models and integrate outputs into business applications and digital workflows.
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 AI-driven products and analytics solutions.
Serve as a trusted advisor to stakeholders by helping them understand INDIGO's capabilities and translate business challenges into high-impact data science opportunities.
Facilitate structured discovery and problem-framing sessions to identify opportunities where AI, machine learning, automation, and advanced analytics can drive measurable business value.
Collaborate closely with commercial business leaders and domain experts to ensure models and solutions reflect real-world business processes and market dynamics.
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 user adoption, ensuring stakeholders understand, trust, and effectively integrate AI-driven recommendations 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 products, reusable frameworks, and scalable AI/ML platforms that drive commercial performance and establish consistent foundations for future AI applications.
Lead and manage high-impact data science initiatives across the organization, including scope, timelines, risks, and resource planning.
Drive the development of scalable machine learning capabilities that can support multiple brands and commercial use cases through reusable frameworks and automation.
Evangelize and contribute to scaled adoption of AI and machine learning capabilities across the organization.
Stay updated with advancements in data science, machine learning, and generative AI and evaluate emerging technologies for practical business application.
Track and communicate progress on data science initiatives while managing shifting priorities and business needs.
Champion FAIR principles and guide the organization in their application to ensure long-term data usability and accessibility.
Functional Ownership of Digital Products
Bring an end-to-end product lifecycle management mindset to INDIGO initiatives, with a clear focus on maximizing long-term business value.
Take ownership of Commercial AI and analytics products, ensuring reliability, scalability, business relevance, and ongoing stakeholder adoption.
Play a key role in shaping product and 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.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications
Education
Master's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Economics, Engineering, or a related quantitative field. Ph.D. preferred
Experience
10+ years building and deploying advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI solutions that deliver measurable business impact.
Experience supporting Commercial Analytics use cases within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or healthcare organizations strongly preferred.
Experience leading cross-functional AI and data science initiatives from problem framing through deployment and value realization.
Experience managing stakeholder relationships and influencing business decision-making at multiple organizational levels.
Technical Skills
Proficiency in production programming using Python and SQL.
Deep understanding of machine learning algorithms, statistical analysis techniques, predictive modeling methodologies, and end-to-end MLOps management.
Familiarity with cloud computing and ML platforms; AWS experience required and Snowflake experience preferred. Prior experience with use of AI tools in code development and management workflows is a plus.
Experience with data engineering, feature engineering, data governance, and scalable machine learning pipelines (dbt experience preferred).
Experience working with commercial data assets such as CRM, prescribing, claims, specialty pharmacy, patient services, or engagement data preferred.
Core Competencies
Proven ability to design and implement end-to-end AI and machine learning solutions from business problem definition through value realization.
Strong business acumen with the ability to connect technical solutions to commercial outcomes.
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with an aptitude for both technical innovation and stakeholder management.
Strong leadership and project management skills, with experience mentoring and developing technical talent.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams and executive stakeholders.
Strong organizational skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities and ambiguities in a fast-paced environment.
Strong ownership mindset and accountability for outcomes.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or healthcare industries.
Direct experience supporting Commercial, Sales, Marketing, Market Access, Patient Services, or Field Force effectiveness initiatives.
Familiarity with Veeva CRM, IQVIA, claims, prescription, specialty pharmacy, and patient-level commercial datasets.
Familiarity with regulatory and compliance standards applicable to healthcare data (e.g., HIPAA).
Exposure to GenAI innovation, agentic AI systems, and advanced customer intelligence platforms.
The annual base salary for this position ranges from $160,000 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
Alkermes has recently adopted a hybrid working environment to support and meet the needs of employees and this role will operate in a flexible environment with 60% of time in the office and 40% from home. This position is eligible for the hybrid workplace model, requiring work to be completed onsite at our Waltham, MA office at least 3 days per week. This role is not eligible for fully remote work.
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Why join Team Alkermes?
Alkermes applies its decades of deep neuroscience expertise to develop medicines designed to help people living with complex and difficult-to-treat psychiatric and neurological disorders. A global biopharmaceutical company, headquartered in Ireland with U.S. locations in Massachusetts and Ohio, we seek to make a meaningful difference in the way people manage their diseases. We have a portfolio of proprietary commercial products for the treatment of alcohol dependence, opioid dependence, schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder and narcolepsy, and a pipeline of clinical and preclinical candidates in development for various psychiatric and neurological disorders.
We are proud to have been recognized as an employer of choice by many national organizations. In 2024 and 2025, we were certified as a Great Place to Work in the U.S. and named one of Massachusetts’ Top Places to Work by the Boston Globe, a Best Place to Work in Greater Cincinnati by the Cincinnati Business Courier and recognized as a Best Place to Work in BioPharma by Fortune Magazine.
Alkermes, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any qualified applicant or employee because of race, creed, color, age, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression and identity, disability, genetic information, veteran status, military status, application for military service or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law. Alkermes also complies with all work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Alkermes is an E-Verify employer.
Skills Required
- Master's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Economics, Engineering, or related quantitative field
- Ph.D. in a related quantitative field
- 10+ years building and deploying advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI solutions
- Experience leading cross-functional AI and data science initiatives from problem framing through deployment and value realization
- Experience managing stakeholder relationships and influencing business decision-making at multiple organizational levels
- Proficiency in production programming using Python
- Proficiency in SQL
- AWS experience (cloud computing and ML platform experience)
- Deep understanding of machine learning algorithms, statistical analysis, predictive modeling, and end-to-end MLOps management
- Experience with data engineering, feature engineering, data governance, and scalable machine learning pipelines
- Snowflake experience
- dbt experience
- Experience supporting Commercial Analytics use cases within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or healthcare organizations
- Experience with commercial data assets (CRM, prescribing, claims, specialty pharmacy, patient services, engagement data) and platforms like Veeva or IQVIA
- Familiarity with regulatory and compliance standards applicable to healthcare data (e.g., HIPAA)
- Strong leadership, project management, mentoring, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
What We Do
Alkermes focuses on the development of innovative medicines that seek to address unmet needs of people living with serious mental illness, addiction, and cancer. As a fully-integrated, global biopharmaceutical company, we apply our scientific expertise and proprietary technologies to develop products that are designed to make a meaningful difference in the way patients manage their disease. We are inspired by some of the most pressing public health challenges of our time to help advance innovation with the potential to improve treatment options and outcomes for patients. Beyond our important mission of developing medicines, we believe it is our responsibility to take a holistic approach as we seek to support patients, caregivers, and broader impacted communities. In this context we also work to help support and enhance the systems through which these complex diseases are treated. We are committed to patient engagement, disease education and awareness, and advocacy for important policies that support equitable access to quality treatment. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, we have an R&D center in Waltham, Massachusetts; a research and manufacturing facility in Athlone, Ireland; and a manufacturing facility in Wilmington, Ohio. See our Community Guidelines: https://www.alkermes.com/social-community-guidelines
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