VP, Engineering, Data and AI

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?

At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.

Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

Position Summary

The Vice President of Engineering, Data and AI, will be responsible for establishing a holistic strategy and operational plan to deploy capabilities that empower our employees with insights and transform the ways we serve our customers. This role is crucial in driving our data strategy, overseeing the development and implementation of data systems, and ensuring the successful deployment of Generative AI and Machine Learning products and solutions across the organization and our member base.

The VP of Engineering, Data and AI will lead an organization whose mission is to deliver highly performant and scalable products and platforms that enable a data-driven culture across the enterprise, while also aiming to drive industry best practices in the data and AI organization. This leader must have the ability to attract and recruit great talent, grow the team, and simultaneously have the technical chops to ensure that we build compelling, customer-oriented solutions in an iterative methodology.

This role presents a unique opportunity for a collaborative, strategic leader with expertise in Data, Cloud, Security, and AI to guide a Data and AI Services organization towards a data-driven and AI-enabled future.

The successful candidate will guide the organization through a transformative data experience, ensuring a robust technology stack and industry-leading product delivery. You will have the opportunity to spearhead Illumina’s journey toward an AI and Gen AI future.

Responsibilities:

Strategy and Leadership:

• Build a World Class Data Engineering and AI team. Lead the global data engineering and analytics business process team and steering committee. Influence across the cross-functional team to ensure high-level goals and objectives are being met.
• Develop and communicate a compelling vision and strategy for the Data and AI Services, elevating and aligning it with broader IT and Illumina strategies.
• Roadmap an organizational transformation, focused on the business opportunities and needs of the future, that embraces AI and Gen AI technologies, ensuring scalability to meet the demands of large-scale data services.
• Drive and lead those transformation initiatives to future-proof the organization at an enterprise level, considering the unique challenges and opportunities presented by large- scale data services.
• Collaborate with other business units to identify and capitalize on opportunities for leveraging data and analytics for enhanced operational efficiency and strategic decision- making.
• Align priorities across all functions in Illumina, and partner with leadership to ensure Functional roadmaps are harmonized.
• Demonstrate the ability to balance longer-term strategic thinking against more tactical execution of shorter-term deliverables.
• Develop and coach key talent. Lead by example and display Illumina Leadership Values.
• Continue to build, lead, and develop a strong global team of data scientists, analysts, engineers, and other experts capable of transforming managing, and developing extensive data operations.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Stakeholder Management:

• Collaborate with C-level executives, business leaders, and cross-functional teams to align extensive data, AI and analytics initiatives with overall business objectives.

• Be a thought leader and trusted advisor to business units and business partners.
• Advocate for the strategic importance of data and analytics and its positive impact at an enterprise scale
• Influence a shift in thinking, in a matrixed organization, and elevate the conversation around the use, and value, of data.

Data and AI Enablement:

• Develop and communicate a clear vision for the data architecture aligned with business goals, ensuring scalability, flexibility, and alignment with emerging technologies.
• Oversee the design and implementation of robust, scalable data architectures that support advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning initiatives.
• Define and implement strategies to leverage data as a strategic asset, focusing on scalability, efficiency, and business value for a large organization.
• Oversee the development and deployment of advanced analytics and AI solutions. 

Data Governance:

• Establish and maintain a comprehensive data governance framework, including policies, standards, and procedures to ensure data quality, compliance, and security.
• Promote data stewardship across the organization, defining roles and responsibilities for data ownership, data quality, and metadata management.
• Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and industry standards, mitigating data-related risks through robust data governance practices.

Technology Stack and Infrastructure:

• Evaluate, select, and implement innovative technologies and tools that cater to a large-scale data and analytics organization.
• Ensure the scalability, security, and efficiency of the technology infrastructure.

• Stay current with current industry trends and technologies to keep Illumina at the forefront of data engineering and analytics advances - develop and nurture external relationships ensuring Illumina’s approach reflects thought leadership from inside and outside the organization.

• Assure compliance to meeting 21 CFR 820 and ISO 13485, MDSAP, IVDR and other related requirements as appropriate

Experience/Education:

Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in engineering, preferably in a field related to computer science, data engineering, or a related field. Graduate degree (Master's or MBA) in Data Science, Business Analytics, or a related field preferable or relevant work experience a plus.

15+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience with 5+ years in an executive role leading a large Data and Analytics Service Delivery organization through a successful transformation.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong leader with the ability to establish clear strategy that can inspire others to deliver and influence to drive change across the organization
• Appreciation of data products, platforms and technologies; business understanding of cloud computing, Data Science, and how they create impact in existing processes
• Experience leading business and technology transformation, strategic planning, and driving implementation of transformative vision.
• Strategic leader with hands-on data architecture, solution delivery, and governance experience.
• Broad knowledge of Data technologies and processes; Cloud, Unstructured, Big Data, MDM, Data Quality, Batch Cycles/ETL
• Demonstrated experience with predictive modelling initiatives, and Big data/Hadoop/Cloudera initiatives
• Proven experience successfully executing complex projects within large and complex environments.
• Track record of successful leadership to drive results and proactively manage change in a complex and dynamic organizational, technological, and operating environment.
• Strong understanding of Generative AI, data management principles, data architecture, and AI technologies, including machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and predictive analytics.
• Strong knowledge of technology stacks covering comprehensive data platforms and analytics platforms.
• Consistent track record of collaboration, including the ability to work with cross-functional teams, and across complex ecosystems
• Exceptional communications skills (including articulating product vision, inspiring teams, and presenting to senior executives).
• Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills required
• Experience leading global teams
• previous experience with budget, resource management and capacity planning Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Preferred

• Strong sector AND enterprise mindset & strong business acumen
• Experience with Snowflake and/or SAP Hana

The estimated base salary range for the VP, Engineering, Data and AI role based in the United States of America is: $265,800 - $398,600. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly. Compensation decisions are dependent on several factors including, but not limited to, an individual’s qualifications, location where the role is to be performed, internal equity, and alignment with market data. Additionally, all employees are eligible for one of our variable cash programs (bonus or commission) and eligible roles may receive equity as part of the compensation package. We offer a wide range of benefits as innovative as our work, including access to genomics sequencing, family planning, health/dental/vision, retirement benefits, and paid time off.

At Illumina, we strive to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace by cultivating an environment in which everyone contributes to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always been rooted in openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative views and perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and demonstrate our collective commitment to diversity and inclusion in the communities we live and work. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact [email protected]. To learn more, visit: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.