Senior Director, Data Science

Job Summary

As the Senior Director, Data Science, you will occupy a pivotal role, driving the strategic direction of our data science program and overseeing the development of cutting-edge algorithms and data-driven solutions. A key part of your role will involve partnering with our Digital Health team. Together, you will shape the data science strategy for the ACE and Vision Care lighthouses, leveraging data to propel advancements in digital health and improve patient outcomes. In addition, you will work to grow the burgeoning Data Science community of practice, and make sure that it is aligned with organizational goals and aspirations.

This role requires not only technical expertise but also visionary leadership and the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights. Your efforts will significantly influence decision-making at the highest levels, ensuring our company remains at the vanguard of the industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Help to drive Data Science Center of Excellence, by staying aligned with Alcon's key business and strategic programs while working across all functions within Alcon that are currently operating Data Science teams.
• Centralize data science resources & capabilities focusing on the skill, tools and operational nature of data science. Identify data and data science practitioner leadership and talent who will elevate data science capabilities and drive momentum, adoption, and enterprise value generation. Maximize reach and integration through integration with the analytical spokes in the product and business teams.
• Identify & Prioritize Data Opportunities: Partner with the operating units and supporting functions to proactively identify future data science capabilities and needs.
• Oversee the creation and implementation of machine learning models, algorithms, and data sets. Always focus on finding the most effective, simplest solution but where needed, lean into cutting edge technologies (LLMs, GraphNN, deep learning) to truly drive Alcon's data science initiative forward
• Collaborates with industry data experts to allow a proactive approach to improving insights through data science. Works closely with the operating unit and functional executive and senior management to decide where new data science innovation ideas should be prioritized and supported needed across the enterprise to execute on the innovation ideas to achieve value.
• Provide leadership and strategic direction to members of the data science team, fostering the development and implementation of innovative, business-driving solutions.
• Drive the upskilling of our data scientists, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement, ensuring our team remains at the forefront of data science techniques and technologies.
• Create and foster an omni-channel mindset to help Alcon begin to utilize predictive modeling to enhance customer experiences, revenue generation, ad targeting, and other business outcomes.
• Constantly champion a change management mindset to ensure that data science projects are effectively integrated within larger business initiatives, improving efficiency and maximizing impact.
• Ensure compliance of technological processes and services with security requirements, laws and regulations.
• Recruit and manage a data science team to support the development and execution of the data science strategy.

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in Data Science, including at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated ability to drive the application of data science in a business context, including the ability to simplify complex concepts into actionable insights.
• Excellent understanding of machine learning techniques and algorithms.
• Experience with common data science toolkits, such as R, Python, SQL, etc.
• Proficiency in big data technologies, such as Hadoop, Spark, or similar platforms.
• Strong problem-solving skills with an emphasis on product development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Alcon is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. Alcon takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment and our policies are not to discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Alcon is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an email to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.