Job Description
Work Schedule Standard (Mon-Fri) Environmental Conditions Office At Thermo Fisher’s PPD clinical research business, we’re using digital innovation, data science, and AI to reimagine how life-changing therapies reach patients. Our teams combine deep scientific expertise with advanced analytics, automation, and digital platforms to make research smarter, faster, and more connected. We know that innovation happens when diverse minds meet. Our Digital Science, Data, and AI professionals collaborate closely with scientists, clinicians, and operational experts to solve real-world challenges in clinical research. Alongside our partnership with Open AI, you can be part of the collaboration that will help to improve the speed and success of drug development, enabling customers to get medicines to patients faster and more cost effectively. You’ll join a culture that values experimentation, learning, and collaboration — where your ideas can help shape how we deliver life-saving solutions and improve global health outcomes. Whether you’re a data engineer, product manager, software developer, or AI scientist, you’ll find opportunities here to apply your skills to work that truly matters — improving global health outcomes. Position Summary The Data Domain Lead, Real World Data (known internally as Director IT, band 9) owns the end-to-end data strategy, prioritization, technical roadmap, and delivery for the Real-World Data (RWD) domain within PPD Digital, responsible for delivering value via trusted, interoperable, AI-ready data products and capabilities. This role complements other RWD and evidence-generation efforts across the organization by focusing on the application of real-world data (RWD) in the clinical operations context (e.g. enhancing clinical trial design, feasibility, and execution) within PPD Digital. The Domain Lead is accountable for embedding RWD into clinical operations workflows and PPD Digital products to improve study outcomes such as feasibility, site selection, enrollment, and trial performance. Reporting to the Head of Data Capabilities, PPS Digital, this role leads Domain Managers, Data Solutions Specialists, BSAs, MDM/quality analysts, and technical delivery teams and operates in a matrix with Data Platforms, Digital Products, and Data Governance. The role partners closely with internal RWD and evidence-focused teams to align on enterprise data strategy and maximize reuse of cross-enterprise data assets and partnerships, while maintaining primary accountability for RWD use cases related to clinical trial operations and PPD Digital product enablement. Primary focus areas for RWD applications include: Site selection and feasibility optimization Patient recruitment and enrollment forecasting Protocol design and study optimization Integration of RWD into CRG Digital data products and platforms Key Responsibilities Strategic Roadmap, Vision, and Value Realization Develop and execute the vision and roadmap for RWD within clinical trial operations and PPD Digital products. Define and track value metrics tied to clinical trial performance and sponsor outcomes, including improvements in enrollment efficiency, cycle time reduction, data adoption, and operational decision-making effectiveness. Ensure that trusted, high-quality data is available at the right time by prioritizing data initiatives against these roadmaps on an ongoing basis. Data Sourcing – Identify and secure external data partnerships aligned to clinical trial and digital product use cases, ensuring that sourced data is fit-for-purpose for operational decision-making and integrates effectively into PPD Digital platforms. Partner with internal stakeholders, Legal, and other teams as needed to address barriers to data access. Conduct initial evaluation of enterprise relevant targets and lead partnership scoping, business case alignment, deal construct/negotiations, internal management and external alliance management for external enterprise data partners. Delivery Oversight – Lead technical execution of internal data delivery, ensuring that business requirements are translated into scalable data solutions. Work closely with engineering and platform teams to deliver interoperable, AI-ready data assets. People & Org Leadership Line-manage and coach domain talent, including a combination of FTE and external partner team resources. Foster a data-product mindset and a collaborative and inclusive team environment that encourages innovation and continuous improvement. Provide oversight of and strong engagement with external partner teams to ensure that they function as a flexible and seamless extension of PPD's internal teams. Stakeholder