Operations Lead, R&D Data Products

Reference No. R2818121

Position Title: Operations Lead, R&D Data Products

Department: R&D Data Products and Platforms (Sabya DG)

Location: Toronto, Ontario

About the Job

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible? Join Sanofi in one of our corporate functions and you can play a vital part in the performance of our entire business while helping to make an impact on millions around the world.

At Sanofi, we’re committed to providing the next-gen healthcare that patients and customers need. It’s about harnessing data insights and leveraging AI responsibly to search deeper and solve sooner than ever before. Join our R&D Data Products and Platforms Team as an Operations Lead and you can help make it happen. 

Your job:

Sanofi has recently embarked into a vast and ambitious digital transformation program. A cornerstone of this roadmap is the acceleration of its data transformation and of the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) solutions, to accelerate R&D, manufacturing and commercial performance and bring better drugs and vaccines to patients faster, to improve health and save lives. 

The R&D Data Products and Platforms Team is a key team within R&D Digital, focused on developing and delivering Data and AI products for R&D use cases. This team plays a critical role in pursuing broader democratization of data across R&D and providing the foundation to scale AI/ML, advanced analytics, and operational analytics capabilities. 

As an Operations Lead, you will be responsible for driving operational health of the Data Products & Platforms Team and ensuring seamless coordination and execution of initiatives that maximize the value of data products. You will work across teams and closely with delivery pods to establish governance forums and structures, enable consistent delivery practices, and drive adoption of data products through change management initiatives. You will serve a critical role in enabling the success of the Data Products & Platforms Team. 

Our vision for digital, data analytics and AI :

Join us on our journey in enabling Sanofi’s Digital Transformation through becoming an AI first organization. This means:  

• AI Factory - Versatile Teams Operating in Cross Functional Pods: Utilizing digital and data resources to develop AI products, bringing data management, AI and product development skills to products, programs and projects to create an agile, fulfilling and meaningful work environment. 

• Leading Edge Tech Stack: Experience build products that will be deployed globally on a leading-edge tech stack. 

• World Class Mentorship and Training: Working with renown leaders and academics in machine learning to further develop your skillsets.

We are an innovative global healthcare company with one purpose: to chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. We’re also a company where you can flourish and grow your career, with countless opportunities to explore, make connections with people, and stretch the limits of what you thought was possible. Ready to get started?

Main Responsibilities:

Operational Governance

• Establish and conduct R&D Data/AI Products operational governance forums to ensure timely reporting, effective coordination across the team, and provide support for escalations 

• Monitor, evaluate, and report key operational health metrics to enable efficient issue resolution and risk mitigation 

Value Realization & Tracking

• Develop and implement frameworks for tracking and measuring the top down and bottoms up value driven by the Data Products & Platforms Team delivery 

• Partner with delivery pods and stakeholders to identify opportunities for increasing the value of data & AI product investments 

• Work closely with delivery pods to centrally track and monitor KPIs and metrics 

Roadmap Management & Delivery Oversight

• Consult on strategic demand activities to ensure alignment with Sanofi’s vision and objectives and the broader R&D Data Products & Platforms roadmap 

• Oversee resource responsible for the maintenance of an integrated roadmap across all R&D Data & AI products and monitoring of delivery timelines, milestones, and dependencies 

Delivery Best Practices & Standardization

• Collaborate with the Data/AI Product Line Owners and Product Owners to understand needs and opportunities for driving standardization and best practices within the pods 

• Ensure that Operations is effectively supporting pod activities and providing proper guidance and direction 

• Develop and drive the adoption of delivery best practices and standard ways of working across delivery pods 

• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure consistency and quality in delivery methodologies and processes  

Change Management

• Develop and execute change management plans, in close collaboration with the R&D Business, to support the adoption of R&D data products 

Stakeholder Coordination & Collaboration 

• Continuously evaluate and improve the Data Products & Platforms Team operations to maintain alignment with Sanofi vision 

• Serve as central point of contact to ensure effective communication and alignment across delivery pods, business, and the Operations Team 

• Provide regular updates on operational health and value realization in appropriate governance forums and to team leadership 

About You:

Key Functional Requirements & Qualifications:

• HBSc or BSc in life sciences, business, information systems or similar field; MBA or relevant advanced degree preferred.

• 8+ years of experience in project management, change management, management consulting, or other related field, preferably with experience in the life sciences. 

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate operational activities, including managing projects and operational reporting.

• Experience working with cross-functional teams and diverse groups of both technical and business stakeholders.

• Experience with driving organizational change, value management, and/or operational governance is preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to navigate large teams and complex stakeholder dynamics to drive outcomes successfully.

• Background in Pharma R&D strongly preferred.

Key Technical Requirements & Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of data product lifecycle management, delivery processes, and Agile methodology.

• Exceptional organizational, communication, and collaboration skills.

• Ability to develop compelling content in PowerPoint.

• Familiarity with product management tools and frameworks, such as Jira, Confluence, Miro, and related. 

• Familiarity with bioinformatics tools and ML frameworks for scientific applications. 

• Strong understanding of UX/UI, application design, and data engineering principles. 

• Experience with cloud platforms, AI platforms, and data pipelines is a plus. 

Why Choose Us? 

• Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future-focused team 

• Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether it’s through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally 

• Enjoy a thoughtful, well-crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact 

• Take good care of yourself and your family, with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including high-quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs 

This position is for a current vacant role that we are actively hiring for.

Sanofi is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. Our goal is to attract, develop and retain highly talented employees from diverse backgrounds, allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified applicants.  Accommodations for persons with disabilities required during the recruitment process are available upon request.​

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All compensation will be determined commensurate with demonstrated experience. Employees may be eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs, and additional benefits information can be found here.

Les employés peuvent être admissibles à participer aux programmes d'avantages sociaux de l'entreprise. Des informations supplémentaires sur les avantages sociaux peuvent être trouvées ici.