Axtria - Director - Data Management - Pharma

We are looking for a visionary Director to lead large-scale AI enabled Data Management programs for global Pharmaceutical clients and drive measurable innovation through applied Artificial Intelligence. In this role, you will serve as a strategic partner to senior client stakeholders, orchestrate cross-functional delivery teams, and embed next-generation AI capabilities into the fabric of how pharma organizations manage and leverage their data assets.
You will own the end-to-end program lifecycle - from solutioning and contracting through delivery excellence and client value realization - while simultaneously shaping the firm's AI & Data go-to-market offerings in the pharma vertical.
Key Responsibilities
Program Leadership & Delivery
- Lead complex, multi-workstream data management programs (MDM, Data Governance, Data Quality, Data Lakehouse, Clinical Data Integration) for tier-1 pharma clients from inception to value realization.
- Define program governance structures, risk management frameworks, and escalation protocols to ensure on-time, on-budget, and on-scope delivery.
- Manage distributed delivery teams of 25-100+ members spanning onshore, nearshore, and offshore resources.
- Drive rigorous program reporting, executive steering committee facilitation, and stakeholder communications at the C-suite level.
AI Innovation & Solution Design
- Identify, design, and deploy AI-powered solutions (Generative AI, ML models, intelligent automation) to modernize data management workflows across commercial, medical and clinical domains.
- Develop AI use case roadmaps aligned to client business priorities, translating complex technical possibilities into actionable, value-driven initiatives.
- Collaborate with CoEs, data science, and MLOps teams to architect scalable, cloud-native AI & Data platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
- Stay at the forefront of emerging AI trends (LLMs, RAG, agentic frameworks) and bring relevant innovations to client programs.
Client Partnership & Growth

- Serve as the primary trusted advisor and relationship owner for strategic pharma accounts, driving client satisfaction, retention, and expansion.
- Lead solution development for RFPs, RFIs, and proactive proposals; craft compelling narratives that articulate business value and differentiation.
- Identify organic growth opportunities within existing accounts and partner with sales leadership to pursue new logo opportunities.
- Represent the firm at industry events, conferences, and client workshops as a thought leader in pharma AI & Data.
Practice Development & People Leadership
- Mentor and develop a team of managers, senior consultants, and analysts; build a high-performance culture anchored in innovation, accountability, and client centricity.
- Contribute to the development of firm-wide AI & Data assets, accelerators, methodologies, and point of views specific to the pharma industry.
- Partner with recruitment to attract top talent and with learning & development to upskill the practice in emerging AI capabilities.
Qualifications & Experience
Required
- 14+ years of progressive experience in data management, data strategy, or analytics consulting with at least 5 years in a leadership/program director capacity.
- Demonstrated experience leading large-scale data management transformations (MDM, Data Governance, Data Quality, Data Integration) for pharmaceutical or life sciences clients.
- Proven track record of designing and deploying AI/ML solutions in an enterprise context, including hands-on familiarity with Generative AI tools and frameworks.
- Strong command of modern data platforms and cloud technologies (Snowflake, Databricks, Azure Data Factory, AWS Glue, or equivalent).
- Experience managing P&L accountability for consulting engagements.
- Exceptional executive presence with the ability to influence C-level and VP-level stakeholders across both business and IT.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering.
Preferred
- MBA or advanced degree in a relevant discipline.
- Domain expertise in one or more pharma verticals: Clinical, Commercial / Sales Operations, Medical Affairs.
- Hands-on experience with pharma-specific data standards
- Certifications in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) or data management (CDMP, DAMA).
- Experience with AI governance, responsible AI frameworks, and data privacy regulations (GDPR, HIPAA,).
What We Offer
- Opportunity to shape and scale an AI & Data practice at the forefront of pharma innovation.
- Access to a global network of industry experts, technology partners, and thought leaders.
- Continuous learning culture with investment in certifications, conferences, and advanced AI training.
- Flexible working model with a collaborative, inclusive, and high-energy team environment.