Director, Strategy and Operations

Job description

Working with Us Challenging. Meaningful. Life-changing. Those aren’t words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy, this is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it. You’ll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high-achieving teams. Take your career farther than you thought possible. Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives. Read more: careers.bms.com/working-with-us. Function Summary Data and Quantitative Sciences (DQS) is the quantitative center of excellence within Drug Development at BMS. DQS members strive to achieve the vision to “be the world’s leading Data Science driven pharmaceutical company that transforms patients’ lives”. If you want an exciting and rewarding career that is meaningful, consider joining our diverse team! Position Summary As the Director, Strategy & Operations for Data Management, you will serve as the senior strategic and operational leader driving the multi-year transformation of Data Management at BMS. This role operates with autonomy to influence, define and execute functional strategy, establish governance frameworks, and lead cross-functional initiatives that deliver measurable outcomes at scale. You will translate DQS's agentic-first, AI-enabled vision into operational reality—overseeing enterprise-wide execution, leading complex change initiatives end-to-end, and serving as a key connector between DQS leadership and cross-functional partners across R&D. The ideal candidate brings a strong consulting mindset, a proven record of driving organizational change, and the executive presence to represent DQS in senior forums, influence leadership decisions, and build the high-performing, future-ready teams needed to deliver on DQS's strategic imperatives. Key Responsibilities Strategy & Execution Partner with Data Management leadership to develop and execute a multi-year transformation strategy for Data Management focused on agentic-first, AI enablement, and scalable operational excellence. Translate strategy and operations priorities into execution with measurable outcomes; set and drive the cross-functional operating cadence (governance, KPIs, decision forums) to deliver priorities. Lead complex, enterprise-wide change initiatives end-to-end, embedding change management, value realization, and ROI tracking throughout. Standardize and scale process improvements across functions, championing a culture of continuous improvement and creative problem-solving. Financial & Operational Accountability Accountable for end-to-end Data Management financial planning and reporting, including budget management, vendor spend optimization, and risk mitigation. Own resourcing and budget inputs for the Data Management function and drive trade-off decisions with DQS leadership. Establish performance frameworks, KPIs, and governance structures; provide performance insights and recommend trade-offs to leadership. Anticipate, escalate, and resolve enterprise risks and issues. Innovation & Continuous Improvement Develop new approaches and lead large, multi-team projects within DQS for process optimization, change management, and communications. Champion a continuous improvement mindset across multiple teams; integrate AI and data solutions to drive efficiency, enhance quality, and reduce costs. Pilot and implement innovative approaches; measure impact and scale successful solutions across the organization. Communication & Influence Represent DQS as a delegate/proxy in key meetings, steering forums, and leadership discussions; bring forward data-driven positions and recommendations with clear decision rights. Communicate complex strategies and organizational priorities to diverse audiences. Author leadership messaging and change management communications for internal and external stakeholders. Leadership & Team Development Build alignment and commitment across DQS functions; establish and maintain cross-functional operating relationships that deliver shared, measurable value. Supervise and mentor team members either through direct or matrix reporting, setting clear expectations and cultivating a high performing team. Drive in partnership with HR and Data Management Leadership Team functional talent planning. Qualifications & Experience Advanced degree in Business Management, Life Sciences, Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Programming or related discipline (MBA, MS, PhD, PharmD preferred). 8+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry or a regulated environment, with a focus on data management, data science, analytics, programming or statistics. Experience in management consulting, strategy consulting, or similar advisory roles strongly preferred Minimum of 1-3 years of people management and leadership experience Proven Program Leadership: Exceptional project and program management skills with a track record of delivering complex, cross-functional initiatives on time and within scope. Technical Expertise: Proficient in analytics platforms, Microsoft applications, and SharePoint to enable data-driven decision-making and collaboration. Preference for expertise in AI/Automation Strategic Influence: Experienced in driving organizational change, resolving challenges at a strategic level, and serving as a trusted thought partner to senior stakeholders. Relationship Builder: Skilled at fostering strong partnerships across divisions and cultures, leading enterprise-wide initiatives, and aligning diverse teams toward common goals. Communication Excellence: Outstanding written and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels, internally and externally. Enterprise Connector: Acts as a key point of connectivity to manage dependencies and ensure seamless execution of end-to-end strategies. If you come across a role that intrigues you but doesn’t perfectly line up with your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway. You could be one step away from work that will transform your life and career. Compensation Overview: Cambridge Crossing: $213,560 - $258,788 Princeton - NJ - US: $190,680 - $231,060 The starting compensation range(s) for this role are listed above for a full-time employee (FTE) basis. Additional incentive cash and stock opportunities (based on eligibility) may be available. The starting pay rate takes into account characteristics of the job, such as required skills, where the job is performed, the employee’s work schedule, job-related knowledge, and experience. Final, individual compensation will be decided based on demonstrated experience. Eligibility for specific benefits listed on our careers site may vary based on the job and location. For more on benefits, please visit https://careers.bms.com/life-at-bms/. Benefit offerings are subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans in effect at the time and may require enrollment. Our benefits include: Health Coverage: Medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision care. Wellbeing Support: Programs such as BMS Well-Being Account, BMS Living Life Better, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). Financial Well-being and Protection: 401(k) plan, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, accident insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection, personal liability protection, identity theft benefit, legal support, and survivor support. ​Work-life benefits include: Paid Time Off US Exempt Employees: flexible time off (unlimited, with man