As a leading global contract research organization (CRO) with a passion for scientific rigor and decades of clinical development experience, Fortrea provides pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device customers a wide range of clinical development, patient access and technology solutions across more than 20 therapeutic areas. With over 19,000 staff conducting operations in more than 90 countries, Fortrea is transforming drug and device development for partners and patients across the globe.

The Senior Director of AI/ML Operations at Fortrea is a critical leadership role within our Clinical Research Organization, responsible for overseeing the operational aspects of AI/ML projects, including ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) engineering, platform engineering, Ai/ML governance and technical writing. This role is essential in ensuring the smooth execution and delivery of AI/ML initiatives, aligning operational activities with the strategic goals of the organization. The Senior Director will lead teams in maintaining and scaling robust AI/ML platforms and infrastructures, optimizing data processing workflows, and producing high-quality technical documentation, all within a dynamic and regulatory-compliant environment.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Manage model and application deployments and associated pipelines.

• Manage model performance metrics and drift

• Direct the ETL engineering processes and pipelines, optimizing data extraction, transformation, and loading for data used by AI/ML applications.

• Manage platform engineering to ensure robust, scalable, and efficient AI/ML platforms.

• Oversee the creation and maintenance of high-quality technical documentation for AI/ML projects.

• Coordinate with cross-functional teams throughout Fortrea to align AI/ML operations with business and IT objectives and strategies.

• Partner with the AI/ML Rapid Development Studio to ensure the innovative solutions developed are properly supported and implemented at scale.

• Implement best practices and standards for AI/ML operations, partnering with legal and data privacy to ensure regulatory compliance

• Oversee App support across data organisation

• Drive continuous improvement in AI/ML operational processes and tools.

• Ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards in all operational activities. Partners with legal and quality to maintain a full inventory of approved use cases of Ai/ML at Fortrea

• Manages technology platform as  a business owner, owning portfolio forecasts, and driving efficiency into teams and utilization of resourcing including consumption of licenses and 3rd party spend.

• Mentor and develop the AI/ML operations team, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.

• And all other duties as needed or assigned.

Qualifications (Minimum Required):

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field. Fortrea may consider relevant and equivalent experience in lieu of educational requirements.

• Extensive knowledge of AI/ML technologies and operational processes.

• Strong understanding of platform engineering principles and best practices.

• Excellent leadership and team management skills.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Familiarity with regulatory standards and compliance in a research or clinical environment.

• Effective communication and collaboration skills.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced and evolving technological landscape.

Experience (Minimum Required):  

• Highly experienced in AI/ML operations or a related field.

• Several years experience in a leadership role managing AI/ML projects.

• Demonstrated experience in technical writing and documentation for AI/ML projects.

• Experience in implementing operational best practices in AI/ML projects.

• Deep expertise with at least one ML Pipeline tool like Azure or Sagemaker

• Demonstrated ability in aligning operational activities with overarching business strategies.

Preferred Qualifications Include:

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field.

• Advanced certifications in project management, AI/ML technologies, or related areas.

• Extensive experience in leading diverse and cross-functional teams in a global setting.

• Experience in a CRO or healthcare-related industry.

• Proven ability to innovate and implement cutting-edge operational strategies in AI/ML.

• Strong project management and organizational skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a fast-paced environment.

• Familiarity with High Performance Computing (HPC).

Pay Range:$135k-$195,000 (The range does not include benefits, and if applicable, bonus, commission, or equity)

Benefits: All job offers will be based on a candidate’s skills and prior relevant experience, applicable degrees/certifications, as well as internal equity and market data. Regular, full-time or part-time employees working 20 or more hours per week are eligible for comprehensive benefits including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, STD/LTD, 401(K), ESPP, Paid time off (PTO) or Flexible time off (FTO), and Company bonus where applicable. 

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Fortrea is actively seeking motivated problem-solvers and creative thinkers who share our passion for overcoming barriers in clinical trials. Our unwavering commitment is to revolutionize the development process, ensuring the swift delivery of life-changing ideas and therapies to patients in need. Join our exceptional team and embrace a collaborative workspace where personal growth is nurtured, enabling you to make a meaningful global impact. For more information about Fortrea, visit www.fortrea.com.

Fortrea is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer:

As an EOE/AA employer, Fortrea strives for diversity and inclusion in the workforce and does not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind. We make employment decisions based on the needs of our business and the qualifications of the individual and do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy or other medical conditions/needs), family or parental status, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, personal appearance, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic. We encourage all to apply.

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