Fractional Chief AI Officer / Head of AI - Biotech

Head of AI is seeking exceptional leaders to join our network of fractional Heads of AI. Our mission is to help Biotechnology and life sciences organisations evolve into AI-enabled institutions — embedding AI strategically across their research, development, operations, and decision-making.

We are looking for individuals who combine deep technical fluency with board-level leadership, capable of guiding organisations as they adopt and scale the new era of generative and agentic AI.

We work with organisations across biopharmaceuticals, drug discovery, genomics, clinical research, digital health, and medical devices, typically ranging from £20m–£500m+ in revenue. These organisations face increasing pressure to accelerate innovation and improve patient outcomes while maintaining strong governance, regulatory compliance, and data integrity.

Our fractional Heads of AI support leadership teams in embedding AI capabilities that improve R&D efficiency, strengthen decision-making, and unlock new scientific and commercial value.

We recognise that few professionals have completed a full AI transformation in life sciences. Therefore, we seek leaders with proven experience in digital, data, analytics, or operational transformation who are now applying that expertise to AI-led change. You understand how to translate ambition into action — guiding organisations through the cultural, operational, scientific, governance, and regulatory shifts required to unlock AI’s potential.

What We Are Looking For:

AI-Driven Business Transformation Leaders:

Proven experience leading complex transformation programmes where technology, data, and innovation reshaped business performance. Able to apply that experience to the generative AI era — guiding biotech and life sciences organisations through the shifts required to become AI-enabled. Can connect earlier digital, analytics, or automation expertise with today’s agentic and generative AI capabilities.

Deep Technical Fluency:

Fluent in modern AI ecosystems including generative AI, agentic systems, AI copilots, and orchestration frameworks (e.g. LangChain, AutoGen, CrewAI). Understands how to combine traditional ML, analytics, and scientific data systems (e.g. genomics, clinical, real-world data) with emerging AI architectures to deliver measurable value.

C-Suite and Board-Level Communicators:

Able to simplify complex AI and scientific topics for executives and align AI investments with organisational strategy. Confident advising CEOs, CTOs, Chief Scientific Officers, and Boards on strategy, risk, governance, and ROI.

Change Leaders:

Strong stakeholder engagement and ability to drive adoption. Skilled in mentoring teams, developing AI literacy, and ensuring responsible AI practices. Understands data governance, regulatory requirements (e.g. GxP, FDA/EMA), and human-in-the-loop design needed for AI success in life sciences.

Entrepreneurial Mindset:

Thrives in ambiguity and fast-paced environments. Curious about new AI tooling and pragmatic about implementation. Focused on delivering measurable outcomes through experimentation and iteration.

What We Are Not Looking For:

• Legacy executives without hands-on AI or GenAI understanding
• Academic or research-focused professionals without applied business outcomes
• Technologists who lack leadership or transformation delivery experience
• Consultants who only advise but have not led execution
• Corporate-only leaders reliant on large structures

Desired Profile Summary

The ideal candidate will serve as a Fractional Head of AI / AI-Driven Transformation Leader, focused on helping biotech and life sciences organisations design and execute end-to-end AI strategies, roadmaps, execution plans, and governance frameworks.

They will bring 10–20+ years of experience across AI, data, digital transformation, analytics, or life sciences innovation, with a proven ability to translate technology into measurable scientific and commercial outcomes.

They are experienced transformation leaders — such as Heads of Data Science, Chief AI Officers, AI Strategy Leads, or Digital Transformation Leaders — who have evolved beyond model development into organisational change and value delivery.

Candidates with a data science or bioinformatics foundation are welcome, provided they demonstrate fluency in modern AI technologies (LLMs, copilots, orchestration frameworks) and executive-level influence.

They thrive in fractional roles (1–5 days per week) and bring an entrepreneurial, adaptable, and outcome-driven mindset.

We welcome applications from professionals passionate about helping life sciences organisations harness AI responsibly and at scale.