Principal - AI & Data (Pharma/Lifesciences)

Job description

**AI and Data Leader (Pharma or Life Sciences Domain)** Life Sciences | India Leadership *Senior Executive* **About Axtria** Axtria is a global leader in AI-first cloud software and advanced analytics for the Life Sciences industry. Since 2010, we have partnered with pharmaceutical and biotech organizations across 30+ countries to transform commercial operations, improve patient outcomes, and drive data-driven decision-making at scale. Today, Axtria stands at the forefront of a fundamental shift in how Life Sciences companies operateembedding Generative AI, Agentic AI, and Machine Learning into every facet of commercial analytics, from field force optimization to omnichannel engagement. Our cloud-native platforms process billions of data points to deliver actionable intelligence that directly impacts commercial success. **The Opportunity** We are seeking a visionary **AI and Data Leader** to lead our India operations through an ambitious growth trajectoryscaling from $100M to $500M over the next four years. This is not merely a delivery leadership role; it is a strategic executive position that will shape how AI transforms Life Sciences commercial operations globally. Reporting to the CEO and working as the offshore counterpart to our Global AI & Data Leadership, you will own the Customer Service Organization responsible for engagement execution while collaborating closely with the CoE Head on critical strategic functions including Global Solutioning, Domain Capability Units, and specialized consulting teams. **Why This Role is Different** The Life Sciences analytics landscape has fundamentally changed. What was once primarily ETL, MDM, and BI execution has evolved into sophisticated AI-driven transformation work. Every engagement now incorporates Generative AI for content and insight generation, Agentic AI for autonomous decision support, and advanced ML models for predictive commercial intelligence. **This leader will:** - Own delivery excellence across AI-embedded analytics engagements, ensuring clients realize transformative value from Gen AI and Agentic AI capabilities - Lead the Customer Service Organization with direct accountability for engagement execution, quality, and client satisfaction - Partner with the CoE Head on Global Solutioning, Domain Capability development, and specialized consulting (pharma domain experts, BI/MDM technical consultants) - Serve as the strategic offshore counterpart to global AI & Data leadership, driving India's contribution to Axtria's worldwide AI transformation agenda **Key Responsibilities** **1. Strategic Leadership & AI Transformation** - Define and execute the strategic roadmap for scaling from $100M to $500M, embedding AI-first thinking across all delivery operations - Champion the integration of Generative AI, Large Language Models, and Agentic AI into client solutions across data engineering, analytics, and commercial operations - Drive thought leadership on AI adoption in Life Sciences, positioning Axtria as the definitive partner for AI-powered commercial transformation - Collaborate with global leadership to align India capabilities with market demands and emerging technology trends **2. Customer Service Organization Leadership** - Lead the Customer Service Organization with direct ownership of engagement execution, ensuring delivery excellence across all client accounts - Build and scale teams proficient in AI/ML model deployment, Gen AI solution implementation, and intelligent automation - Establish governance frameworks that ensure consistent quality, risk management, and value realization across engagements - Own client satisfaction metrics, Net Promoter Scores, and delivery excellence benchmarks **3. Center of Excellence Collaboration** Partner closely with the CoE Head to drive excellence across four critical functions: - **Global Solutioning:** Co-develop AI-powered solution frameworks that address evolving client needs in commercial analytics, omnichannel engagement, and field force effectiveness - **Domain Capability Unit:** Strengthen pharma domain expertise across teams, ensuring deep understanding of commercial operations, clinical, omnichannel, compliance, and market access - **Pharma Domain Consultants:** Leverage a specialized team of high-profile pharma consultants to drive strategic advisory and complex problem-solving - **Technical Consultants:** Work with senior technical experts in Business Intelligence, Master Data Management, Data Architecture, and Cloud Platforms to solve complex client challenges **4. Delivery & Operational Excellence** - Own P&L accountability, driving sustainable growth while maintaining operational efficiency (utilization, billing attainment, realized rates) - Ensure timely, high-quality delivery of AI-embedded solutions including predictive analytics, intelligent automation, and Gen AI-powered insights - Implement frameworks for measuring AI value realizationquantifying impact on client outcomes, efficiency gains, and decision quality - Lead financial forecasting, resource planning, and governance to optimize unit performance **5. Talent & Capability Development** - Build world-class teams skilled in AI/ML engineering, Gen AI implementation, prompt engineering, and responsible AI practices - Develop leadership pipelines and succession plans for critical technical and delivery roles - Foster a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and responsible AI adoption - Attract and retain top AI and data talent in a competitive market **Candidate Profile** **Experience & Background** - 25-30 years of progressive experience in data engineering, analytics, and AI/ML leadership, with at least 10 years in senior executive roles - Demonstrated experience leading large-scale AI transformation initiatives, preferably in Life Sciences, Healthcare, or complex regulated industries - Track record of scaling organizations thro