Director, Data Science

Director, Data Science Company: Norstella Location: Remote, United States Date Posted: May 18, 2026 Employment Type: Full Time Job ID: R-1969 Description Why Norstella? Norstella unites market-leading companies that all have a shared goal of improving patient access. Each organization (Evaluate, MMIT, Panalgo, Citeline and The Dedham Group) delivers must-have answers for critical strategic and commercial decision-making. Together, we help our clients: Assess the market need andcompetitive landscape Know precisely which drugs to prioritize in their portfolios Find out where the launch difficulties will be—before they're difficulties Track and improve market access post-launch By combining the efforts of each organization under Norstella, we can offer an even wider breadth of expertise, cutting-edge data solutions and expert advisory services alongside advanced technologies such as real-world data, machine learning and predictive analytics. At Norstella, we don't just deliver information and insights. We deliver answers you can act on. The Team: Our dedicated Data Science team is at the forefront of revolutionizing pharma intelligence and how patients gain access to life-saving therapies. Armed with cutting-edge technology and a passion for innovation, we leverage the vast landscape of data to extract actionable insights that drive informed decision making. Our unique collaborative approach fosters a dynamic synergy between data science and product development. Our deep expertise in machine learning, artificial intelligence, advanced statistical modelling, and big data, combined with our domain knowledge, enables us to deliver comprehensive solutions that empower our clients to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. The Role: As Director of Data Science at Norstella, you will set the strategic vision for our data science capabilities and lead a high-performing team of data scientists and engineers. You will be a technical authority and a people-first leader — building talent, shaping culture, and delivering AI-powered solutions that have a direct impact on patient access to life-saving therapies. Define and own the data science strategy, aligning closely with product, engineering, and executive leadership to drive roadmap prioritization Lead, mentor, and grow a team of data scientists and ML engineers — fostering a culture of excellence, curiosity, and continuous learning Build and develop talent: recruit top-tier data science professionals, design career development frameworks, and create pathways for growth at all levels Champion the adoption of GenAI, Agentic AI, and LLM-powered architectures across the organization — defining reference frameworks for tool use, code interpretation, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and multi-agent workflows Collaborate with product leadership to identify, elaborate, and prioritize high-impact projects Oversee the delivery of AI-enabled microservices in collaboration with content and product engineering teams Define and evolve engineering standards, best practices, and architectural patterns for scalable, production-grade AI systems Stay at the cutting edge of AI/ML research; deliver regular presentations to internal stakeholders on emerging trends and their strategic implications Partner cross-functionally to ensure data science solutions are operationalized effectively and drive measurable business value All other duties, as assigned. Requirements: 10+ years of experience developing and deploying AI/ML applications and delivering data-driven solutions at scale Demonstrated experience leading and managing data science teams, including hiring, performance management, and talent development Proven track record of building and scaling high-performing teams — including designing leveling frameworks, mentorship programs, and succession planning Deep hands-on expertise in Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), Agentic AI systems, and advanced NLP/Deep Learning techniques Practical experience with LLM application design: prompt engineering, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), model fine-tuning, tool use, and multi-agent orchestration frameworks (e.g., LangChain, LlamaIndex, AutoGen) Graduate degree (Master's or PhD) in Computer Science, Engineering, Statistics, or a related quantitative discipline, or equivalent professional experience Strong command of Python and core data science libraries (Pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn, PyTorch/TensorFlow) Deep understanding of CS fundamentals, computational complexity, and algorithm design Experience architecting and delivering large-scale distributed systems in an agile environment, including rapid prototyping and iterative development Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills — able to translate complex technical concepts for executive and non-technical audiences Preferred Qualifications: PhD in Computer Science with an AI/ML research focus and publications in top-tier venues Experience in the healthcare or life sciences domain; familiarity with applying AI to pharmaceutical or market access data Hands-on experience with AWS ML infrastructure: SageMaker, Lambda, S3, Snowflake, and related services Experience with knowledge graphs, structured reasoning, and hybrid retrieval architectures Prior experience operating at Director level or equivalent in a fast-paced, data-driven organization Benefits: Medical and Prescription Drug Benefits Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Dental & Vision Benefits Basic Life and AD&D Benefits 401k Retirement Plan with Company Match Company Paid Short & Long-Term Disability Paid Parental Leave Paid Time Off & Company Holidays Please note- all candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. We do not provide visa sponsorship or transfers. We are not currently accepting candidates who are on an OPT visa. The expected base salary for this position ranges from $225,000 to $300,000. It is not typical for offers to be made at or near the top of the range. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, licensure or certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. In addition to a base salary and a competitive benefits package, successful candidates are eligible to receive a discretionary bonus. Norstella is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, color, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age. Our ethos is to respect and value people's differences, to help everyone achieve more at work as well as in their personal lives so that they feel proud of the part they play in our success. We believe that all decisions about people at work should be based on the individual's abilities, skills, performance and behavior and our business requirements. Norstella operates a zero-tolerance policy to any form of discrimination, abuse or harassment. Norstella is an equal opportunity employer. All job applicants will receive equal treatment regardless of race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability or handicap, medical condition, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), marital or domestic partner status, military or veteran status, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, reproductive health decision making, or any other protected characteristic as established by federal, state, or local law.