Senior Director, Head of Data Stewardship & Data Engineering
About this opportunity
Biogen is seeking an exceptional senior technical leader to serve as Senior Director, Head of Data Stewardship & AI-Ready Data Engineering , leading a newly expanded organization spanning Data Stewardship, Data Engineering, Data Standards, SDTM, Clinical Trial Transparency , controlled data sharing, imaging data stewardship, and reusable data capabilities. This leader will bring deep machine learning fluency, modern cloud data architecture experience, and hands-on understanding of Snowflake and Cortex AI-enabled capabilities to build the data foundation required for advanced analytics, automation, and responsible AI across clinical development.
This highly visible role will define the trusted , interoperable, AI-ready data ecosystem that enables digital transformation, machine learning enablement, regulatory excellence, responsible reuse , and better outcomes for patients.
About the Role
You will define the strategy, architecture, governance, operating model, and decision rights for Biogen’s clinical and operational data ecosystem , integrating stewardship, standards, SDTM , data engineering, transparency operations, imaging, reusable data products , and AI-ready platform capabilities into one accountable organization.
The role partners across Development, QSDO, R&D IT, Legal, Privacy, Regulatory, Clinical Data Management, Biostatistics, Medical Writing, Biomarkers, Medical, and external collaborators to ensure data are governed, reusable, compliant , technically scalable, and ready to power machine learning, AI-assisted workflows , and advanced evidence generation .
Key Responsibilities
Own the enterprise Data Stewardship and AI-ready data engineering framework, including metadata, lineage, data quality, access, FAIR-aligned practices, reusable data products, and adoption of Snowflake/Cortex AI-enabled capabilities.
Lead modern data engineering practices, SDTM, clinical data standards, reusable clinical data products, automation, digital protocol initiatives, submission-ready pipelines , and AI/ML-ready architecture across clinical and operational data assets .
Provide strategic leadership for Clinical Trial Transparency, controlled data sharing, participant-centric data access, consent/privacy alignment, and global regulatory expectations.
Define strategic roadmaps, technical architecture priorities, governance models, investment areas , and decision rights while building a high-performing organization of approximately 24 professionals across stewardship, standards, SDTM, CTT, imaging, data engineering , and AI/ML enablement .
Who You Are:
You are a visionary leader with a passion for data stewardship and engineering. Your comprehensive understanding of clinical trial data, transparency, and governance makes you an expert in the field. You possess a strategic mindset and can influence enterprise-wide change. With a collaborative spirit, you build strong partnerships across departments and ensure alignment with regulatory expectations. You are driven by the opportunity to innovate and advance digital capabilities within clinical development.
Qualifications
Advanced degree in Life Sciences, Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Informatics, Clinical Data Management, or related discipline preferred.
15+ years of relevant experience across clinical development, data engineering, data science, machine learning enablement, data stewardship, data management, statistical programming, standards, analytics, or related life sciences technology functions.
Deep expertise in clinical trial data, SDTM, metadata, data governance, Snowflake or comparable cloud data platforms, AI/ML data enablement, lineage, quality, transparency, data sharing, and regulatory submission practices.
Strong technical fluency in machine learning concepts, AI-assisted data workflows, semantic data layers, feature-ready data assets, and emerging capabilities such as Snowflake / Cortex AI to support scalable analytics and responsible AI adoption.
Experience leading leaders and senior technical experts in complex matrixed organizations, with proven ability to influence strategy and drive enterprise change.
Preferred experience with modern data architecture, cloud data platforms, automation, AI/advanced analytics enablement, governance frameworks, operating models, GxP , 21 CFR Part 11, informed consent, privacy, and auditability.
#LI-SM1
Job Level: Management
Additional Information
The base compensation range for this role is: $254,000.00-$349,250.00
Base salary offered is determined through an analytical approach utilizing a combination of factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills & experience, job location, and internal equity.
Regular employees are eligible to receive both short term and long-term incentives, including cash bonus and equity incentive opportunities, designed to reward recent achievements and recognize your future potential based on individual, business unit and company performance.
In addition to compensation, Biogen offers a full and highly competitive range of benefits designed to support our employees’ and their families physical, financial, emotional, and social well-being ; including, but not limited to:
Medical, Dental, Vision, & Life insurances
Fitness & Wellness programs including a fitness reimbursement
Short- and Long-Term Disability insurance
A minimum of 15 days of paid vacation and an additional end-of-year shutdown time off (Dec 26-Dec 31)
Up to 12 company paid holidays + 3 paid days off for Personal Significance
80 hours of sick time per calendar year
Paid Maternity and Parental Leave benefit
401(k) program participation with company matched contributions
Employee stock purchase plan
Tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000 per calendar year
Employee Resource Groups participation
Why Biogen?
We are a global team with a commitment to excellence, and a pioneering spirit. As a mid-sized biotechnology company, we provide the stability and resources of a well-established business while fostering an environment where individual contributions make a significant impact. Our team encompasses some of the most talented and passionate achievers who have unparalleled opportunities for learning, growth, and expanding their skills. Above all, we work together to deliver life-changing medicines, with every role playing a vital part in our mission. Caring Deeply. Achieving Excellence. Changing Lives.
At Biogen, we are committed to building on our culture of inclusion and belonging that reflects the communities where we operate and the patients we serve. We know that diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives make us a stronger and more innovative company, and we are focused on building teams where every employee feels empowered and inspired. Read on to learn more about Biogen.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Biogen is an E-Verify Employer in the United States.
Job details
How this role compares
Computed from every other active Data & Digital role in our database, not just this employer's listings.
We currently track 29 comparable Senior Director Data & Digital roles across 8 biopharma companies.
Salary context
22 of 29 peers report a salary range (USD, annualized)
Peers share this role's job function and a matching or adjacent seniority level -- not necessarily the same therapeutic area or country.
Where these roles are based
Top locations among the 29 comparable roles
Seniority mix
29 of 29 peers have a known seniority level
Therapeutic area mix
3 of 29 peers have a known therapeutic area; the rest are genuinely unlabeled, not hidden
Similar opportunities
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How we calculate "similar"
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Every comparison starts from the same 100-point budget: 25 for working in the same function, 40 for the same therapeutic area, 20 for the same or adjacent seniority, 15 for the same country. A dimension we can't confirm on both sides contributes nothing, never a guess, never a free pass.
0 points, never a partial guess. A role we know almost nothing about beyond its function bottoms out at 25%; it never inflates to 100% just because there's little to compare against. Seniority uses a defined ladder (Associate → Manager → Associate Director → Senior → Principal → Director → Senior Director → Executive/VP) so "Director" and "Senior Director" count as adjacent, but "Director" and "Executive/VP" do not.