Head of Data Architecture and AI Solutions

Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating, and one day curing, life-threatening diseases. Headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, we are developing advanced cell therapies across a diverse array of technology platforms, including autologous and allogenic chimeric antigen receptor T-cell, T-cell receptor (TCR-T), and natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy. From our three R&D sites around the world, we apply these innovative technologies to pursue the discovery of safe, efficacious and cutting-edge therapeutics for patients worldwide.  

Legend Biotech entered into a global collaboration agreement with Janssen, one of the pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson, to jointly develop and commercialize ciltacabtagene autolecuel (cilta-cel). Our strategic partnership is designed to combine the strengths and expertise of both companies to advance the promise of an immunotherapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Legend Biotech is seeking Head of Data Architecture and AI Solutions as part of the IT team based in Somerset, NJ. 

Role Overview

The Head of Data Architecture & AI Solutions is a leadership position responsible for architecting, integrating, and scaling data and AI capabilities supporting our mission to advance cell and gene therapies. This highly visible role spans cross-functional teams—including R&D, Clinical Operations, Medical Affairs, Commercial, and Manufacturing—with a sharp focus on harmonizing enterprise data architecture and accelerating the application of AI/ML for real-world impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Enterprise Data Architecture & Platform Enablement
• Design, build, and continuously improve Legend Biotech’s data lakehouse architecture to unlock analytics, reporting, and AI for enterprise users.
• Develop enterprise data models and semantic layers tailored for cell therapy workflows, enabling scalable self-service analytics and operational insights.
• Define integration strategy across enterprise applications (clinical, ERP, CRM, manufacturing, compliance) balancing traceability, integrity, and regulatory requirements.
• Applied AI/ML Solution Design
• Identify and evaluate high-value opportunities for AI/ML in early development, clinical operations, supply chain, commercial analytics, and scientific knowledge management.
• Lead solution design for practical AI/ML pilots—coordinating in-house or external partners, ensuring alignment with Legend Biotech’s digital and enterprise standards.
• Establish data readiness protocols for machine learning (annotation, pipeline integration, model monitoring/feedback, and secure deployment).
• Enterprise Systems Integration & Scale-Up
• Own enterprise systems integration, dataflow design, and harmonization.
• Implement master data management solutions supporting unified product, customer, clinical trial, and manufacturing data domains.
• Collaborate with platform engineering, infrastructure, and partner teams to maximize interoperability and leverage best-in-class/reusable assets.
• Governance, Quality, & Compliance
• Lead metadata management, master data governance, and stewardship processes—ensuring alignment with GxP, privacy, and commercial compliance requirements.
• Set and monitor high standards for data quality, system validation, and audit-readiness in collaboration with business and technical stakeholders.
• Champion cross-functional data governance (ownership, access, lineage) in a highly regulated, complex data ecosystem. 
• Stakeholder Leadership & Team Growth
• Serve as strategic advisor on data, analytics, and AI readiness—supporting business, R&D, and executive teams with actionable architectural guidance.
• Influence and align cross-functional partners toward shared goals and enterprise data priorities; champion ‘digital-first’ and Gen AI-enabled innovations.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with Legend Biotech stakeholders
• Recruit, onboard, and mentor a small, high-impact team as Legend Biotech scales
• Design, build, and continuously improve Legend Biotech’s data lakehouse architecture to unlock analytics, reporting, and AI for enterprise users.
• Develop enterprise data models and semantic layers tailored for cell therapy workflows, enabling scalable self-service analytics and operational insights.
• Define integration strategy across enterprise applications (clinical, ERP, CRM, manufacturing, compliance) balancing traceability, integrity, and regulatory requirements.
• Identify and evaluate high-value opportunities for AI/ML in early development, clinical operations, supply chain, commercial analytics, and scientific knowledge management.
• Lead solution design for practical AI/ML pilots—coordinating in-house or external partners, ensuring alignment with Legend Biotech’s digital and enterprise standards.
• Establish data readiness protocols for machine learning (annotation, pipeline integration, model monitoring/feedback, and secure deployment).
• Own enterprise systems integration, dataflow design, and harmonization.
• Implement master data management solutions supporting unified product, customer, clinical trial, and manufacturing data domains.
• Collaborate with platform engineering, infrastructure, and partner teams to maximize interoperability and leverage best-in-class/reusable assets.
• Lead metadata management, master data governance, and stewardship processes—ensuring alignment with GxP, privacy, and commercial compliance requirements.
• Set and monitor high standards for data quality, system validation, and audit-readiness in collaboration with business and technical stakeholders.
• Champion cross-functional data governance (ownership, access, lineage) in a highly regulated, complex data ecosystem. 
• Serve as strategic advisor on data, analytics, and AI readiness—supporting business, R&D, and executive teams with actionable architectural guidance.
• Influence and align cross-functional partners toward shared goals and enterprise data priorities; champion ‘digital-first’ and Gen AI-enabled innovations.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with Legend Biotech stakeholders
• Recruit, onboard, and mentor a small, high-impact team as Legend Biotech scales

Requirements

• BS Degree
• Minimum 10+ years in data architecture, analytics platform design, or commercial data operations—ideally within biotech, pharma, or healthcare.
• Proven record designing and scaling cloud-native data platforms/data models in multifaceted settings (including early-stage or growth-phase companies).
• Deep understanding of oncology or cell therapy data (commercial, clinical, medical, or R&D).
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently and prioritize in a lean, entrepreneurial environment.
• Strategic and systems-oriented, with a passion for building scalable solutions and driving cross-enterprise alignment.
• Energetic self-starter-comfortable managing uncertainty, setting priorities, and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Highly collaborative; able to synthesize diverse viewpoints and translate ambiguous needs into concrete data/AI roadmaps.
• Pragmatic communicator—adept at concise documentation, presenting actionable concepts, and driving stakeholder engagement
• Experience in oncology-driven biotech or pharma, especially pre-commercial/early commercial stage.
• Working familiarity with life sciences regulatory frameworks (GxP, privacy, retention, commercial).
• Experience driving requirements definition, collaborating with engineering, and integrating complex, heterogeneous data systems.
• Direct exposure to ML/AI in healthcare (predictive analytics, NLP, Gen AI, or decision support).
• Hands-on prototyping experience (Databricks, cloud notebooks, automation tools, etc.).
• Led or contributed to AI/ML/data platform initiatives within cross-functional/product teams.

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The anticipated base pay range is:$187,989—$246,735 USD

Benefits:

We are committed to creating a workplace where employees can thrive - both professionally and personally. To attract and retain top talent in a highly competitive industry, we offer a best-in-class benefits package that supports well-being, financial stability, and long-term career growth. Our offerings are designed to meet the diverse needs of our team members and their families, ensuring they feel valued and supported every step of the way. Highlights include medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a 401(k)-retirement plan with company match that vest fully on day one. Equity and stock options are available to employees in eligible roles, we offer eight weeks of paid parental leave after just three months of employment, and a paid time off policy that includes 15 vacation days, 5 personal days, 5 sick days, 11 U.S. national holidays, and 3 floating holidays. Additional benefits include flexible spending and health savings accounts, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, legal assistance, and supplemental plans such as pet, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance. We also provide commuter benefits, family planning and care resources, well-being initiatives, and peer-to-peer recognition programs - demonstrating our ongoing commitment to building a culture where our people feel empowered, supported, and inspired to do their best work.

Eeo Statement

Legend Biotech is a proud equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to attracting, retaining, and maximizing the performance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is Legend’s policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, national origin, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status, uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Employment is at-will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice by the employee or the company. Legend may adjust base salary or other discretionary compensation at any time based on individual, team, performance, or market conditions.

Legend Biotech maintains a drug-free workplace.