Director, Data Science & AI

Job Summary

The Director, Data Science and AI is responsible for leading the cutting-edge development and implementation of data-driven solutions that enhance the quality, efficiency, and value of healthcare delivery at Keck Medicine of USC. The Director oversees a team of data scientists, engineers, and analysts who leverage advanced analytics, machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and other AI techniques to create innovative applications and tools for clinical, operational, and research purposes. The Director collaborates with stakeholders across the organization to identify opportunities, define requirements, oversee projects, and ensure alignment with the strategic goals and mission of Keck Medicine of USC.

Departmental Specific Summary

Essential Duties

• Define and own the standard of excellence for data science, machine learning, and AI.
• Lead the data science and AI team to design, develop, and implement innovative solutions that leverage data and advanced analytics to improve health outcomes, quality of care, and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate and establish partnerships with clinical, research, and administrative stakeholders to represent team capabilities/aspirations and identify high-impact use cases.
• Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of data and AI projects, including data acquisition, preprocessing, modeling, validation, deployment, monitoring, and maintenance.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to data scientists, engineers, and product/data analysts on the best practices and standards of data and AI development and delivery.
• Operate within the data and AI governance framework to ensure ethical, legal, and responsible use of data and AI across the organization.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning and adapting by evaluating and adopting new emerging technologies, tools, and methodologies that enhance the data and AI capabilities and performance of the team and the organization.
• Apply a detailed understanding of data science and translational medicine to ensure Keck Medicine of USC is at the cutting edge of both current and future applications
• Establish repeatable processes, playbooks, standards, and best practices to ensure the team is identifying and delivering cumulative value with zero technical debt and to drive adoption, consistency, and scale across teams.
• Communicate and disseminate data and AI insights and results to various audiences, including senior leadership, clinicians, researchers, and external partners.
• Drive a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, ensuring the team is driving a mindset to creatively and collaboratively challenge and improve established best practice standards.
• Provide strategic guidance to Data, Analytics, and AI Executive Leadership in addition to other senior leaders.
• Partner with I.S. Internship Program Coordinator to create a pipeline of new talent through USC’s data science educational programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in computer science, statistics, or related field with a focus on machine learning, artificial intelligence, or data science OR In lieu of Master’s, relevant bachelor's degree plus 5 additional years of related experience will be considered.
• 5 years' experience in leading and managing data and analytics teams with at least 3 years managing data science and AI projects or teams in a research or healthcare setting
• Experience in mentoring and supervising data scientists, machine learning engineers, and product/data analysts
• Experience managing successful collaborations with faculty, CROs, administrators, clinical leaders, and other external organizations
• Experience in securing and managing grants and contracts for data science and AI initiatives, as well as adhering to ethical and regulatory standards for data privacy and security.
• Proficient in using various programming languages and tools for data analysis and machine learning, such as AWS Sagemaker, Comprehend Medical, Python, SQL, TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Spark.
• Demonstrated expertise in applying advanced statistical and machine learning techniques to real-world problems, such as predictive modeling, natural language processing, computer vision, or recommender systems at scale.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing the entire AI/ML lifecycle, from ideation, data acquisition and model training, to production deployment and monitoring, including developing scalable AI/ML CI/CD solutions.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to diverse audiences, such as clinicians, researchers, administrators, or faculty.
• Ability to interact and communicate effectively with senior executive teams.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence experienced professionals.
• Ability to think critically, creatively, and to anticipate and solve problems.
• Ability to navigate and be successful in a fast-paced, highly matrixed work environment
• Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only)