Director, Clinical Data & AI Smith & Nephew $165,250
- 236,000 parental leave, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, 401(k), stock options United States, Massachusetts, Mansfield 130 Forbes Blvd (Show on map) Aug 12, 2026 Life Unlimited.
At Smith+Nephew we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living. The Director of Clinical Data & AI is the global functional leader responsible for the strategy, architecture, and operational execution of clinical data and AI capabilities supporting end-to-end evidence generation. This role owns the clinical data lifecycle-from data acquisition and management to advanced analytics, AI enablement, and synthetic/simulated data-ensuring all data assets are high-quality, interoperable, and fit-for-purpose for regulatory, scientific, and operational decision-making. The Director serves as the enterprise authority on clinical data platforms and AI-enabled evidence generation, driving integration across clinical systems, data engineering, AI/ML, and statistical/clinical programming. This position has full accountability for the strategy, execution, quality, and evolution of the Clinical Data & AI function globally. What will you be doing? 1. Global Clinical Data & AI Strategy Define and execute the global strategy for Clinical Data & AI aligned to enterprise evidence-generation and AI transformation goals
Establish a unified operating model integrating:
Clinical systems (EDC, eCOA, registries)
Clinical Data Lake & central data model
Data management and data engineering
AI/ML and advanced analytics
Serve as the enterprise authority on clinical data architecture and AI enablement for clinical & medical affairs across all BUs and geographies
Partner with Clinical Study Management, Clinical Strategy, Regulatory, Medical Affairs, Statistics, and IT to define data-driven evidence strategies 2. Clinical Data Architecture & Platforms Own the design, governance, and evolution of:
Clinical Data Lake (CDL) and standardized data models
Clinical systems ecosystem (EDC, eCOA, registry ingestion, integrations)
Data pipelines, transformation, and interoperability frameworks
Ensure scalable, compliant, and extensible architecture supporting:
Cross-study analytics
Real-world data integration
Device + clinical data linkage
Drive standardization (e.g., CDISC-based models) and elimination of data silos 3. AI, Data Science & Advanced Analytics Lead development and deployment of AI/ML capabilities across the clinical lifecycle, including:
Data quality automation and monitoring
AI-assisted clinical study reporting and analytics
Cross-study insights and meta-analyses
Drive integration of AI into core workflows, not point solutions
Establish best practices for:
Model development, validation, monitoring
Responsible AI (traceability, reproducibility, regulatory alignment)
Oversee collaboration between data science, statistics, and programming teams 4. Synthetic Data, Simulation & Virtual Twins Own strategy and execution for:
Synthetic clinical data generation
Simulation frameworks for study design and operational planning
Virtual twin development for patient
- and study-level modeling
Ensure alignment with regulatory expectations for transparency and scientific validity
Integrate synthetic and simulated data into:
Study design optimization
Evidence generation (e.
g., hybrid designs, external controls) 5. Clinical Data Management & Quality Oversee global clinical data management function, ensuring:
High-quality, consistent, and inspection-ready data
Efficient study startup (eCRF design, database builds) and closeout
Risk-based monitoring and analytics-driven data review
Embed AI, machine learning modeling, and automation into CDM workflows to improve efficiency and quality
Ensure alignment with regulatory and compliance standards (FDA, EU
MDR, GDPR, HIPAA
) 6. Statistical & Clinical Programming Integration Own alignment and integration of:
Statistical programming (TFLs, ADaM outputs)
Clinical programming (data pipelines, transformations)
Ensure seamless data flow from raw data analysis-ready datasets reporting
Drive standardization, automation, and reuse across studies and programs
Leverage AI solutions to accelerate programming across Global Clinical and Medical Affairs 7. Operational Excellence & Delivery Model Own intake, prioritization, and delivery across:
Data platform initiatives
AI/ML programs
Study-level data operations
Implement scalable delivery models for standardized multi-source clinical outcomes datasets from the Clinical Data Lake to key business stakeholder teams
Optimize resourcing across:
High-throughput standardized work
High-complexity AI/data science initiatives 8. Regulatory & Data Governance Leadership Ensure all clinical data and AI activities are:
Compliant with global regulatory requirements
Traceable, auditable, and reproducible
Establish strong governance across:
Data standards and lineage
AI model lifecycle
Data privacy and security
Support regulatory submissions with robust, defensible data strategies Key Interfaces Global Clinical Research Operations leadership
Clinical / Medical Affairs / Regulatory Affairs
Statistics, Data Science, and AI teams
IT / Digital / Enterprise Data organizations
External partners, CROs, AI vendors, and regulators Education BA required, PhD (preferred) or Master's in Data Science, Biostatistics, Computer Science, or related field What will you need to be successful? Minimum of 10 years experience across clinical data, AI/ML, and data platforms in medtech/pharma/biotech
Proven leadership of multi-domain teams (data management, engineering, data science, AI, programming)
Demonstrated ownership of enterprise data architecture (e.g., data lake/platform)
- Databricks preferred
Strong track record supporting regulatory submissions and clinical evidence generation
Enterprise mindset
- integrates data, AI, and operations into a unified capability
Technical depth + breadth
- credible across data engineering, CDM, AI, and analytics
Regulatory credibility
- understands how data and AI decisions impact submissions
Execution rigor
- delivers scalable, high-quality platforms and outputs
Transformational leadership
- embeds AI into workflows, not as isolated innovation
Pragmatic innovation
- advances capabilities while maintaining compliance and reliability You Unlimited. The anticipated base compensation range for this position is $165,250
- 236,000USD annually.
The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge/skills, experience, and geographic location. Compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate. In addition to base pay, we offer competitive bonus and benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k), tuition reimbursement, medical leave programs, parental leave, generous PTO, paid company holidays, 8 hours of volunteer time annually, and a variety of wellness offerings such as EAP. Inclusion +
Belonging:
Committed to Welcoming, Celebrating and Thriving. Learn more about our Employee Inclusion Groups on our website https://www.smith-nephew.com/
Your Future:
401k Matching Program, 401k
Plus Program, Discounted Stock Options, Tuition Reimbursement Work/Life Balance:
Flexible Personal/Vacation Time Off, Paid Holidays, Flex Holidays, Paid Community Service Day Your Wellbeing:
Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account (Employer Contribution of $500+ annually),
Employee Assistance Program, Parental Leave, Fertility and Adoption Assistance Program Flexibility:
Hybrid Work Model (For most professional roles)
Training:
Hands-On, Team-Customized, Mentorship Extra Perks:
Discounts on fitness clubs, travel and more! Smith+Nephew provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. Stay connected by joining our Talent Community. We're more than just a company
Follow us on LinkedIn to see how we support and empower our employees and patients every day. Check us out on Glassdoor for a glimpse behind the scenes and a sneak peek into You. Unlimited., life, culture, and benefits at S+N. Explore our website and learn more about our mission, our team, and the opportunities we offer.