AI Portfolio & Operations Lead
The Position
We are seeking our AI Portfolio, Strategy & Operations lead to join our Computational Innovation AI department (@computationalinnovation) that will deliver next generation foundational AI capabilities to support discovery and development of innovative medicines.
In this role, you will serve as the operational right hand to the Head of AI/ML and ensures that strategy translates into execution across the AI department. Acting as the connective tissue of the organisation, you will coordinate cross-functional activity, drive portfolio delivery, manage stakeholder alignment and ensure that nothing is overlooked as the function scales.
Operating at the centre of the function, you will enable the Head of AI/ML to focus on vision, strategy and talent by owning execution discipline, coordination and operations. Working closely with global Computational Innovation (CI) and the global PMO, you will ensure that AI department activities align with broader CI goals, frameworks and governance, while developing AI departmental-specific processes where gaps exist.
The successful candidate will be a core member of the AI department leadership team and will ensure delivery of an AI portfolio that translates into meaningful impact for the business and the pipeline.
Key Responsibilities
- Drive strategic execution across the AI department, including defining OKRs, tracking progress and running retrospectives
- Support long-range planning with the Head of AI/ML and function leadership team, including annual roadmaps and multi-year vision
- Act as a core member of the AI department leadership team, helping the head to shape AI strategy and ensure delivery of capabilities aligned to departmental and Computational Innovation goals
- Coordinate leadership team cadence, agendas and decision-making processes, ensuring clarity of priorities and timely resolution of blockers
- Track AI portfolio milestones, dependencies and risks, surfacing bottlenecks that require leadership intervention
- Coordinate cross-functional working groups to ensure AI department deliverables translate into applied outcomes and portfolio impact
- Prepare high-quality materials for leadership reviews, executive/board-level stakeholder updates and decision fora
- Build trust and credibility for the AI department across the organisation through clear communication and reliable execution
- Partner with Corporate Affairs to shape the AI department’s external profile, including communications, thought leadership and engagement planning
- Act as escalation point for urgent operational issues and provide cover for the Head of AI/ML when required
Requirements
- Strong experience in high-leverage strategy, operations, chief-of-staff or consulting roles
- Strong project management skills and proven ability to drive complex cross-functional initiatives to closure in ambiguous environments
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trust and align senior leaders
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience producing executive-level materials
- Demonstrated execution excellence, with the ability to prioritise cross multiple workstreams
- High emotional intelligence, diplomacy and judgement when navigating organisational complexity
- Comfort working closely with technical and scientific teams, with the ability to learn and operate credibly in an AI and research environment
- Bachelor’s degree in a computational or scientific discipline required; advanced degree (MS, MBA or PhD) advantageous