Compensation
$220k-$250k
Director of AI
Director, Enterprise AI Strategy
Smith Hanley Associates · Pharmaceutical / Life Sciences · 📍 Greater Boston
A highly visible, cross-functional AI strategy and governance director role at a mid-size pharma company, created to operationalize enterprise-wide AI adoption across Commercial, R&D, and Operations at a moment of rapid GenAI maturity in life sciences.
AI maturity
building
Company stage
enterprise
Source
linkedin
Key responsibilities
- Shape and drive enterprise AI strategy across Commercial, R&D, and Operations functions
- Partner with senior leaders to identify high-impact AI opportunities and define business-led roadmaps
- Develop and lead enterprise AI governance frameworks ensuring responsible, compliant, and ethical AI adoption
- Build and manage a strategic AI initiative portfolio — assess value, prioritize investments, align with enterprise objectives
- Establish scalable processes for AI evaluation, validation, risk management, and implementation
- Build, mentor, and grow a nascent AI strategy and governance team
Requirements
- 10+ years in pharma or life sciences
- Deep expertise in AI/ML, GenAI, and NLP
- Experience building AI governance or strategy frameworks in complex, regulated environments
- Strong executive communication and cross-functional leadership skills
- Ability to translate technical AI capabilities into measurable business value
Signals
- ⚠ Company identity withheld — limits ability to vet culture, pipeline, or AI investment history
- ⚠ No previous postings available to validate hiring pattern or stability
- ⚠ Reports-to structure not disclosed — unclear where AI strategy sits in org hierarchy
- ⚠ Remote/hybrid policy not specified despite Greater Boston location
- ✓ Competitive base ($220-250k) plus bonus and LTI signals genuine strategic investment
- ✓ Explicitly described as 'HIGHLY visible' leadership position with enterprise-wide scope
- ✓ Cross-functional mandate across R&D, Commercial, and Operations — broad organizational authority
- ✓ Governance and ethics framing suggests company is serious about responsible AI, not just hype-driven
- ✓ Recruiter contact directly named — responsive, accountable search process