Director Data Science & Agentic AI

Internal job title: Director

Position Location: Hybrid working arrangement, London #LI-Hybrid

This is a senior AI leader role within Novartis Global Drug Development (GDD), responsible for leading the design, build, and productionization of agentic AI systems — think multi-agent architectures, tool-using LLMs, and autonomous workflow orchestration — to accelerate drug development timelines and time-to-patient. The role sits at the intersection of deep technical expertise (agentic frameworks, RAG, governance, data foundations) and strategic influence, shaping the agentic AI direction for its domain while collaborating across clinical development, translational research, and regulatory functions.

Beyond hands-on design and delivery, the position carries accountability for agent evaluation frameworks (reliability, hallucination risk, auditability), agentic governance, stakeholder coordination across globally dispersed teams, and external visibility through publications and conference presentations. Where a team is in scope, the leader is expected to coach and develop data scientists and AI engineers at the frontier of applied AI in pharma. It requires 10+ years of production AI/ML experience with specific fluency in agentic design patterns and responsible-AI practices.

Major Accountabilities:

• Develop and execute a roadmap for agentic AI systems — including multi-agent architectures, tool-using LLMs, and autonomous workflow orchestration — across multiple business verticals
• Architect, prototype, and productionize agentic pipelines: agent orchestration, memory and context management, tool integration, and human-in-the-loop governance frameworks
• Define agent evaluation frameworks covering reliability, hallucination risk, task completion rate, and regulatory-grade auditability
• Design and implement the data foundations (master data, governance, quality) that agentic systems depend on for grounded, trustworthy decision-making
• Identify and integrate internal/external data sources, APIs, and knowledge bases as agent-accessible tools with appropriate access controls and governance
• Strategically coordinate and prioritize team resources across initiatives; proactively manage risks, stakeholder expectations, and competing priorities
• Collaborate with globally dispersed stakeholders, external partners, and cross-functional teams to translate business problems into agentic AI solutions
• Proactively evaluate the evolving agentic AI landscape (e.g., reasoning models, agent frameworks, MCP, RAG) and guide technology selection
• Provide agile consulting and guidance on unplanned, high-priority analytical and AI challenges
• Publish and present at conferences and academic institutions; serve as a Novartis ambassador for agentic and applied AI
• Coach and develop junior data scientists and AI engineers in agentic design patterns and responsible AI practices

Key Performance Indicators:

• Agentic system deployment rate and measurable business impact per vertical
• Agent reliability and task-completion metrics vs. baseline
• Governance and compliance endorsement at program tollgates
• Successful implementation against enterprise data and AI program objectives

Minimum Requirement: Work Experience:

• Advanced degree in related field preferred. 10+ years in Data Science or AI, with demonstrable experience building and deploying production AI/ML systems
• Hands-on experience with agentic frameworks (e.g., LangGraph, AutoGen, CrewAI, or equivalent)

Skills:

• Agentic AI system design and orchestration
• LLM tool-use, RAG, and multi-agent coordination patterns
• AI governance and responsible AI (EU AI Act awareness a plus)
• Machine learning, deep learning, NLP and GenAI
• Data governance, quality, and strategy
• Statistical analysis and data visualization
• Change management and organizational awareness
• Stakeholder engagement and business value creation
• Mentorship and learning agility

Language:

• English

Rewards

At Novartis, we’re committed to reimagining medicine together - and rewarding the people who make it happen.

The rewards of being part of our team go far beyond base pay and incentives. We also offer a variety of competitive benefits in kind to help you thrive personally and professionally, such as insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources and global recognition programs. In addition, we provide flexible and hybrid working options, where possible, and a minimum of 14 weeks paid parental leave.

Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role:

• London: 100,240.00 - 143,200.00 - 186,160.00 GBP Annual

The salary offered is determined based on gender-neutral objectives, such as relevant skills, competencies and experience in accordance with the Novartis pay setting policy and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically.

In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters. Further details will be provided during the application process.

Pay equity is a fundamental principle of our employment policy and reflects our commitment to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment that treats all employees with dignity and respect, as outlined in our Code of Ethics.

Read our brochure to learn more about our global total rewards offering: https://www.novartis.com/sites/novartis_com/files/novartis-life-handbook.pdf

Note: Benefits and compensation may vary by country and are subject to local legal requirements, including provisions of collective bargaining agreements where applicable. A full overview of your compensation package, including any relevant collective bargaining agreement details applicable to your role based on your employment location and Novartis employer entity, will be communicated separately to you during the application process.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion / EEO paragraph:

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams’ representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Benefits and Rewards: Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards

Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Benefits and Rewards: Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.
Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)