Associate Director, Data & AI Solutions

At Gilead, we’re creating a healthier world for all people. For more than 35 years, we’ve tackled diseases such as HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19 and cancer – working relentlessly to develop therapies that help improve lives and to ensure access to these therapies across the globe. We continue to fight against the world’s biggest health challenges, and our mission requires collaboration, determination and a relentless drive to make a difference.

Every member of Gilead’s team plays a critical role in the discovery and development of life-changing scientific innovations. Our employees are our greatest asset as we work to achieve our bold ambitions, and we’re looking for the next wave of passionate and ambitious people ready to make a direct impact.

We believe every employee deserves a great leader. People Leaders are the cornerstone to the employee experience at Gilead and Kite. As a people leader now or in the future, you are the key driver in evolving our culture and creating an environment where every employee feels included, developed and empowered to fulfil their aspirations. Join Gilead and help create possible, together.

Job Description

The Associate Director, Data & AI Solutions – Japan leads prioritized Data, Analytics, Automation, and Artificial Intelligence initiatives that support Gilead Sciences Japan business objectives and align with enterprise digital, data, and AI strategies. The role serves as a business-facing Data & AI partner across Commercial, Medical, and Corporate Functions to identify opportunities that improve business outcomes, customer engagement, operational efficiency, and decision-making.

The Associate Director will lead a portfolio of Data & AI solutions and initiatives from opportunity assessment and business case development through delivery, adoption, and value realization. Success requires strong business acumen, business analysis expertise, stakeholder management, practical understanding of Data & AI technologies, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams in a global matrix organization.

 This position reports to the Director, Commercial IT and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Job Responsibilities

Business Partnership & Data / AI Strategy

• Partner with Japan business leaders to identify, assess, and prioritize Data & AI opportunities aligned with business objectives and enterprise strategy.

• Conduct business needs assessments, process analysis, feasibility evaluations, business case development, and prioritization based on value, risk, feasibility, and readiness.

• Serve as a trusted advisor on Data & AI capabilities, trends, risks, responsible adoption, and value realization.

• Manage the Japan analytics platform support model, including ICF, Tableau, DevOps operations, business enhancements, platform upgrades, data inquiries, and CI/CD governance.

Portfolio Management & Solution Delivery

• Lead a portfolio of Data & AI solutions and initiatives, including business ownership, prioritization, implementation planning, governance, and measurable outcomes.

• Define business requirements, use cases, solution approaches, implementation plans, success measures, and operational readiness requirements.

• Lead end-to-end delivery of approved initiatives with business stakeholders, architects, data engineers, global technology teams, security, privacy, and external partners.

• Ensure solutions are scalable, secure, compliant, production-ready, integrated into business processes, and aligned with enterprise architecture and technology standards.

AI Adoption, Change & Capability Building

• Drive adoption of enterprise AI capabilities, including Microsoft Copilot, generative AI solutions, analytics platforms, automation technologies, and approved enterprise tools.

• Develop communication, training, engagement, feedback, and change management approaches that support successful adoption and behavior change.

• Partner with business leaders to embed AI-enabled ways of working and data-driven decision-making into daily operations.

• Promote Data & AI literacy through showcases, communities of practice, knowledge sharing, and capability-building initiatives.

Governance, Risk & Vendor Management

• Ensure Data & AI initiatives follow enterprise standards for Data Governance, Privacy, Information Security, Compliance, Responsible AI, audit readiness, and operational controls.

• Work with Legal, Compliance, Privacy, Security, and business stakeholders to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with Data & AI solutions.

• Manage technology partners, consulting organizations, system integrators, managed service providers, delivery governance, service expectations, performance metrics, and escalations.

• Oversee budgets, resource planning, statements of work, vendor performance, and external capabilities in collaboration with Procurement, Legal, Finance, and stakeholders.

Enterprise Collaboration & Leadership

• Represent Japan in enterprise Data & AI, Digital, Technology, and governance forums, and communicate Japan business requirements, market considerations, and adoption needs.

• Collaborate with global teams to localize, deploy, scale, and reuse enterprise capabilities, common data products, reusable solution patterns, and best practices in Japan.

• Lead and guide contractors, external partners, and cross-functional project resources to strengthen delivery quality and local capability.

• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, continuous improvement, accountability, and responsible AI adoption.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.

• Extensive experience in IT Business Analysis, Data & Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transformation, Business Relationship Management, or related disciplines.

• Demonstrated success partnering with senior stakeholders to define priorities, shape roadmaps, influence cross-functional teams, and deliver measurable business outcomes.

• Experience managing external vendors, consulting partners, outsourced delivery teams, budgets, statements of work, technology adoption, organizational change, and capability-building.

• Native-level Japanese or equivalent business fluency and strong English communication skills for collaboration with global teams and senior stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading enterprise Data, Analytics, AI, digital, or technology-enabled initiatives in life sciences, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, or another regulated industry.

• Practical understanding of Data & Analytics strategy, business intelligence, advanced analytics, AI, generative AI, responsible AI, cloud platforms, enterprise architecture, governance, privacy, security, and compliance.

• Familiarity with platforms such as Databricks, AWS, Python, SQL, Tableau, Azure, Microsoft Copilot, Power Platform, or equivalent enterprise AI/analytics toolchains.

• Strong business analysis, portfolio management, prioritization, adoption measurement, value realization, stakeholder management, executive communication, change leadership, and vendor/resource management capabilities.

For Current Gilead Employees and Contractors:

Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.