Senior Director, AI Innovations

About the role

The Senior Director, AI Innovations serves as a strategic leader within Dana-Farber’s AI Innovation Center, responsible for advancing high-priority AI-related initiatives that support the Institute’s research, clinical, and operational priorities. Reporting to the AI Center Lead, this role develops and manages implementation of an integrated strategic plan for AI innovation and supports related business and operating plans across the Institute.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads development and implementation of the Institute’s AI innovation strategic plan in partnership with the AI Center Lead and executive leadership, identifying strategic priorities, dependencies, resource needs, and implementation requirements across research, clinical, and operational domains.
• Credits requisite analyses and develops business and operating plans for priority AI and data science initiatives in collaboration with multiple Dana-Farber offices.
• Provides project management assistance to ensure timely and successful execution of initiatives.
• Fosters the establishment of appropriate AI governance and lifecycle management, including considerations of ongoing capability evaluation, risk analysis, and accountability.
• Directs high-priority AI innovation initiatives from planning through execution, establishing project plans, governance structures, milestones, and accountability measures to support timely and effective delivery.
• Develops business cases, operating models, and implementation plans for priority AI initiatives in collaboration with finance, research, clinical, digital, and administrative stakeholders across the Institute.
• Establishes metrics, dashboards, and reporting processes to evaluate initiative progress, outcomes, and organizational impact, and provides regular updates, analyses, and recommendations to leadership.
• Pairs with faculty, institutional leaders, and external collaborators to align AI innovation efforts with strategic priorities, operational capabilities, research objectives, and evolving organizational needs.
• Collaborates with AI Center leadership to guide and support interdisciplinary teams responsible for implementing AI innovation priorities across multiple workstreams.
• Establishes and manages strategic partnerships with industry leaders, academic institutions, and government agencies.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Expert knowledge of current and emerging AI technologies, trends, and applications relevant to biomedical research, healthcare delivery, and administrative operations.
• Strong knowledge of strategic planning, research administration, business planning, market analysis, and enterprise program implementation in complex organizations.
• Ability to translate emerging AI concepts into practical institutional strategies, operating models, and implementation plans.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives in a highly matrixed academic healthcare or research environment.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, including the ability to synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative information into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent project and program management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, dependencies, and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Ability to develop metrics, reporting frameworks, and performance monitoring tools to evaluate initiative success and support decision-making.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders, faculty, and partners at all levels.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across research, clinical, operational, and administrative functions.
• Strong judgment and adaptability in navigating ambiguity, organizational complexity, and evolving strategic priorities.
• Knowledge of governance, change management, and organizational adoption considerations associated with enterprise innovation initiatives.
• Commitment to fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing work environment.

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Master’s degree in life sciences, biomedical sciences, public health, business administration, health administration, data science, informatics, or related field required; Ph.D. preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, research administration, innovation program leadership, or related management roles within a healthcare, academic medical center, research, or biomedical environment.
• Demonstrated success leading large, cross-functional initiatives and translating strategy into operational execution required.
• Experience in oncology, biomedical research, digital health, artificial intelligence, or data science-enabled transformation preferred.