Senior Director, Scientific Data Strategy & Governance - Princeton, NJ or Lexington, MA

Senior Director, Scientific Data Strategy & Governance

Location: Princeton, NJ or Lexington, MA

Looking for a new challenge? Yearning to be part of an organization that brings progress to life? Read on!

We’re looking to build our enthusiastic and committed Data Science team. We’re #hiring for Senior Director, Scientific Data Strategy & Governance. This global leadership role leads a multidisciplinary team and is accountable for defining, operationalizing, and scaling a data strategy that enables advanced analytics, AI, and scientific discovery across Science and Research. You will own the end-to-end scientific data operating model – spanning data governance, data strategy, data modeling and data operations, data privacy, and data sharing – to ensure scientific data are trusted, compliant, interoperable, AI-ready, and fit-for-purpose across discovery, development, production, clinical, real-world, experimental, and formulation contexts. You serve as a strategic bridge between Business Units, Science & Research, and Digital & Technology – translating scientific needs into scalable data capabilities that accelerate innovation.

Sound intriguing? There’s more. You’ll manage a large team of data governance, clinical/RWD real world data) modeling, research data modeling and data strategy & privacy professionals.

At dsm-firmenich, being a force for good is not optional. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is a shared responsibility woven into our daily work, benefiting our People, Customers & Communities and driving business value. Equal access to opportunities is a given, belonging is a shared feeling, authenticity is celebrated.

Your key responsibilities

Lead a team to define and deliver curated, reusable, AI-ready scientific data products addressing business and innovation needs that directly enable discovery, modeling, and decision-making across ingredients, formulation, clinical/RWD and production process workflows.
Establish and operate scientific data governance framework covering data ownership, quality, metadata, lineage, access, and lifecycle management to ensure trusted and compliant scientific data across domains
Own conceptual, logical, and physical data models for key scientific domains; define and maintain canonical data standards, ontologies, and semantic data models that enable interoperability, multi-modal analytics, and consistent AI consumption across science and research.
Define and execute scientific data strategy spanning internal data domains and external data scouting/acquisition, while embedding privacy-by-design, security, and responsible data use across all scientific data assets.
Partner with legal, compliance, security and privacy team to operationalize privacy-by-design; establish de-identification, anonymization, and consent-aware usage patterns; enable compliant secondary use of data for research, modeling, and AI.
Foster relationships and actively collaborate with partnering multidisciplinary Science & Research, Business Innovation teams, and Digital & Tech teams to drive value creation and impact.

We bring:

The opportunity to leverage industry-leading expertise across a wide range of scientific disciplines to advance the field and deliver tangible consumer benefits.
A rich history and a promising future of bold scientific innovation and passionate creation with our customers
A space to grow by encouraging and supporting curiosity and an open mindset.
The opportunity to work for a company where sustainability is much more than a claim and is core to our strategy and purpose
A culture that prioritizes safety and well-being, both physically and mentally
A firm belief that working together with our customers is the key to achieving great things

You bring:

Minimum 15 years of relevant post-graduate work experience along with minimum 10 years of relevant experience in the life sciences industry required
Extensive track record of people development and large team (8+ team members) leadership, preferably with global teams, required
Proven track record defining and operationalizing data strategies, data architecture, or scientific data platform leadership. Track record managing cross-functional teams that span various projects, multiple locations, and external collaborations.
Deep expertise in data standard & ontologies (such as CDISC, STDM, ADaM, CDM, SEND), data modeling, data strategy, tokenization, de-identification and AI-ready / Analysis-ready data products.
Proven experience in working with diverse, multi-modal data from chemical/biotech manufacturing, ingredient/drug discovery, development and/or clinical studies; Strong understanding of life-science or chemical R&D data landscapes. Demonstrated agility and ability to drive prioritization based on business needs and deal with competing priorities
Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, System Biology, Life Science or a related field required; PhD in these fields of study a strong plus

The salary scale provided reflects the pay range dsm-firmenich expects to pay the successful candidate for the position. Individual pay offered will be based on the applicant’s job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, and primary work location. Salary $195,000-$260,000.

In addition to base salary, we also offer a comprehensive total rewards package, inclusive of annual incentive pay, a retirement savings plan, health care coverage, paid time off, recognition programs and a broad range of other benefits. All benefits and incentives are subject to eligibility requirements.

Our recruitment process

Interested in this position? Please apply online by uploading your resume in English via our career portal by March 11, 2026.

Equal Opportunities Commitment

dsm-firmenich is fully dedicated to inclusion because when people feel engaged and empowered, their creativity and innovation drives unprecedented progress. We aim to build a workplace where opportunity really is equal, so everyone can thrive. We do not discriminate: there’s a place for everyone at dsm-firmenich.

dsm-firmenich is fully dedicated to inclusion because when people feel engaged and empowered, their creativity and is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. dsm-firmenich is fully dedicated to inclusion because when people feel engaged and empowered, their creativity and people are as diverse as our customers. For us that includes a commitment to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

We are committed to providing reasonable support for disabled applicants in our recruiting process. Should you need assistance, and are comfortable to share this, please let us know.

About dsm-firmenich

As innovators in nutrition, health, and beauty, dsm-firmenich reinvents, manufactures, and combines vital nutrients, flavors, and fragrances for the world’s growing population to thrive. With our comprehensive range of solutions, with natural and renewable ingredients and renowned science and technology capabilities, we work to create what is essential for life, desirable for consumers, and more sustainable for the planet. dsm-firmenich is a Swiss-Dutch company, listed on the Euronext Amsterdam, with operations in almost 60 countries and revenues of more than €12 billion. With a diverse, worldwide team of nearly 30,000 employees, we bring progress to life™ every day, everywhere, for billions of people.

www.dsm-firmenich.com

Agency Note

Please note this is a direct search led by dsm-firmenich. We only accept applications from candidates, not from agencies nor subject to agency’s fees, percentages or similar.