Director Data Science and AI

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DePuy Synthes is recruiting for a Director Data Science and AI, located in New Brunswick, NJ.

Job Overview 

The Director Data Science and AI is responsible for leading the delivery and execution of enterprise Data Science and Artificial Intelligence initiatives across DePuy Synthes. Reporting to the VP, Chief Data and AI Officer, this role will partner closely with business leaders, product teams, data engineering, architecture, and digital organizations to identify, prioritize, develop, and scale AI and advanced analytics solutions that drive measurable business value. 

The successful candidate is a hands-on leader with strong technical expertise in machine learning, generative AI, agentic AI, and advanced analytics. This individual will lead a team of Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs), Data Scientists, and AI practitioners, manage a portfolio of high-impact AI use cases, and serve as the operational lead for the Enterprise AI Governance Board, ensuring responsible, secure, and compliant AI adoption across the organization. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead the execution of Data Science, Machine Learning, Generative AI, and Agentic AI initiatives across R&D, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, Commercial, and Corporate functions. 

• Manage and mentor a team of Full-Stack Data Engineers (FDEs), Data Scientists, ML Engineers, and AI practitioners, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous learning. 

• Partner with business and functional leaders to identify, prioritize, and deliver high-value analytics and AI use cases aligned to enterprise objectives. 

• Translate business challenges into scalable AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics solutions that drive measurable business outcomes. 

• Lead the design, development, deployment, and operationalization of predictive, prescriptive, and generative AI solutions. 

• Establish delivery roadmaps, success metrics, and value realization frameworks for Data Science and AI initiatives. 

• Serve as the operational owner of the Enterprise AI Governance Board, coordinating governance processes, use case reviews, risk assessments, and approval workflows. 

• Ensure AI solutions comply with enterprise governance standards, Responsible AI principles, model validation requirements, privacy expectations, and regulatory obligations. 

• Collaborate with Enterprise Data, Architecture, Security, Privacy, Legal, and Quality teams to ensure AI solutions are scalable, secure, and compliant. 

• Drive adoption of AI platform capabilities, reusable components, model development standards, and MLOps/LLMOps best practices. 

• Establish and monitor AI model performance, accuracy, explainability, drift detection, and operational metrics. 

• Provide technical leadership and guidance on machine learning algorithms, agentic AI architectures, LLMs, orchestration frameworks, vector databases, and AI application development. 

• Partner with Data Engineering and Platform teams to enable scalable data foundations and modern AI capabilities on enterprise platforms. 

• Evaluate emerging AI technologies, tools, frameworks, and vendors, providing recommendations for adoption and experimentation. 

• Present program status, value realization, risks, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and governance forums. 

Qualifications 

Education 

• Bachelor’s degree required in Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field. 

• Master’s degree preferred. 

Experience and Skills 

Required 

• 10+ years of relevant experience in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Advanced Analytics, or related fields. 

• Demonstrated experience leading Data Science, AI, or advanced analytics teams in a complex enterprise environment. 

• Strong expertise across machine learning, deep learning, generative AI, large language models (LLMs), and agentic AI architectures. 

• Hands-on experience building and deploying AI/ML solutions in production environments. 

• Experience with MLOps, LLMOps, model lifecycle management, automation, and monitoring. 

• Strong proficiency with modern AI and data platforms such as Databricks, AWS, Azure, SageMaker, vector databases, orchestration frameworks, and GenAI ecosystems. 

• Experience partnering directly with business stakeholders to identify, prioritize, and deliver AI-driven business outcomes. 

• Strong understanding of AI governance, Responsible AI practices, model risk management, explainability, and compliance requirements. 

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex AI and analytics programs. 

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence technical and non-technical audiences. 

• Experience managing globally distributed teams and working within matrixed organizations. 

Preferred 

• Experience in healthcare, medical technology, life sciences, or other regulated industries. 

• Experience implementing Generative AI and Agentic AI solutions at enterprise scale. 

• Familiarity with GxP, 21 CFR Part 11, SOX, data privacy, and regulated environment requirements. 

• Experience establishing AI governance processes, operating models, and oversight mechanisms. 

• Experience working with cloud-native AI platforms and modern enterprise data ecosystems. 

• Strong executive communication and storytelling skills using data and analytics. 

• Experience leading cross-functional AI transformation initiatives with measurable business impact. 

Other 

• Language: English proficiency required. 

• Travel: Up to ~20% domestic and international travel may be required. 

 For more information on how we support the whole health of our employees throughout their wellness, career and life journey, please visit www.careers.jnj.com.

Johnson & Johnson announced plans to separate our Orthopaedics business to establish a standalone orthopaedics company, operating as DePuy Synthes. The process of the planned separation is anticipated to be completed within 18 to 24 months, subject to legal requirements, including consultation with works councils and other employee representative bodies, as may be required, regulatory approvals and other customary conditions and approvals. Should you accept this position, it is anticipated that, following conclusion of the transaction, you would be an employee of DePuy Synthes and your employment would be governed by DePuy Synthes employment processes, programs, policies, and benefit plans. In that case, details of any planned changes would be provided to you by DePuy Synthes at an appropriate time and subject to any necessary consultation processes.

 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 by 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 & 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, external applicants please contact us via https://www.jnj.com/contact-us/careers, internal employees contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

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