Sr Director, Head of Data Science & Digital Health -Therapeutics Discovery

At Johnson & J­ohnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & J­ohnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & J­ohnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

Job Function:

Data Analytics & Computational Sciences

Job Sub Function:

Data Science

Job Category:

People Leader

All Job Posting Locations:

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America, Spring House, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Job Description:

Johnson & J­ohnson Innovative Medicine is recruiting for a Sr Director, Head of Data Science & Digital Health – Therapeutics Discovery

This position has a primary location of Spring House, PA and is also open to Cambridge, MA.

Travel: Up to ~25% domestic/international

Reports to: VP, R&D Data Science – DPDS

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

Role Overview

We are seeking a Senior Director to lead our Data Science and engineering strategy for our R&D Therapeutics Discovery (TD) organization. This role will partner closely with TD leadership, data scientists embedded in the TD teams, and our IT partners to streamline Discovery data automation, deliver robust data products, and scale advanced analytics and AI capabilities across the portfolio. You will shape how discovery data is captured, integrated, and leveraged to accelerate decision‑making and innovation. This position requires a visionary leader who can align TD’s data strategy while ensuring interoperability with other departments such as Preclinical Sciences & Translational Safety (PSTS), Therapeutics Development & Supply (TDS), and all our Therapeutic Areas.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive data strategy for TD, focusing on advanced automation, data integration, and FAIR data practices; in close alignment with TD and IT.
• Lead the design and implementation of scalable data pipelines to support discovery workflows.
• Partner with TD leaders to build strong external partnerships with industry consortia and academic partners pertaining to Data Science needs for TD.
• Co‑Champion data governance, analytics, model lifecycle management (MLOps), and Responsible AI standards into reusable capabilities that can be shared elsewhere in the organization.
• Lead a core team of data scientists and engineers to support TD in reaching its strategic goals.
• Collaborate with TD teams (such as: In Silico Discovery and Discovery Technologies & Molecular Pharmacology), IT, R&D Data Science, and external partners to jointly introduce emerging technologies such as generative and agentic AI, multimodal analytics, and advanced automation tools that benefit TD’s business objectives.
• Collaborate with TD teams (such as: In Silico Discovery and Discovery Technologies & Molecular Pharmacology), IT, R&D Data Science, and external partners to jointly introduce data and technology innovation standards.
• Works with peers across Discovery, Product Development & Supply (DPDS) and our Therapeutic Areas to generate and analyze our data in the best way possible for opportunities in Therapeutic Discovery (for example: experiment design, molecule design, lab process automation, etc.)

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent experience in Computational Biology, Chemistry, AI/ML, Applied Math/Statistics or related field.
• 12+ years in data science for drug discovery, with experience leading teams in a matrix setting.
• Proven expertise in creating high impact R&D innovations through data science, data engineering, and automation within scientific domains.
• Strong experience leading the application/creation of ML/AI methods while demonstrating a deep understanding of drug discovery workflows.
• Demonstrated success in delivering interoperable data products and scalable analytics platforms.
• Excellent communication and matrix leadership across scientific, technical, and business stakeholders in a global organization.

Leadership Attributes

• Strategic Vision: Ability to anticipate future trends in data science and drug discovery and translate them into actionable strategies.
• Collaborative Influence: Skilled at building consensus and driving alignment across diverse scientific and technical teams.
• Innovation Mindset: Passion for leveraging emerging technologies to solve complex scientific challenges.
• Talent Development: Commitment to mentoring and growing a high‑performing team of data scientists and engineers.
• Communication Excellence: Ability to articulate complex technical concepts to non‑technical stakeholders and executive leadership.

Ready to make an impact? Join us in shaping the future of Therapeutic Discovery at Johnson & J­ohnson!

Johnson & J­ohnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected under federal, state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Johnson and Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of our applicants’ needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation, please email the Employee Health Support Center View email address on click.appcast.io or contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

Required Skills:

Advanced Analytics, Budget Management, Business Alignment, Compliance Management, Consulting, Critical Thinking, Data Analysis, Data Privacy Standards, Data Quality, Data Reporting, Data Savvy, Data Science, Data Visualization, Developing Others, Digital Fluency, Inclusive Leadership, Leadership, Strategic Thinking

Preferred Skills:

Advanced Analytics, Budget Management, Business Alignment, Compliance Management, Consulting, Critical Thinking, Data Analysis, Data Privacy Standards, Data Quality, Data Reporting, Data Savvy, Data Science, Data Visualization, Developing Others, Digital Fluency, Inclusive Leadership, Leadership, Strategic Thinking

The anticipated base pay range for this position is :

$196,000.00 - $342,700.00

Additional Description for Pay Transparency:

Subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).

This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s long‑term incentive program.

Subject to the terms of their respective policies and date of hire, employees are eligible for the following time off benefits:

Vacation –120 hours per calendar year

Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Colorado –48 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year

Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year

Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year

Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child

Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year

Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52‑week rolling period10 days

Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year

Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year

For additional general information on Company benefits, please go to: