Director, Forward-Deployed AI Solutions
About this role
Embedding directly with analysts and business stakeholders, day-to-day operations involve observing current workflows, identifying the right interventions, and building the smallest useful solution to solve messy operational challenges. Real-World Data Solutions relies on this senior builder to determine whether an AI model, deterministic automation, platform integration, or process redesign is the appropriate path forward. Success in this position means improving both client experience and operational profitability across the team.
The person who thrives here is an operations-minded problem solver who enjoys hands-on building using modern AI, automation, and low-level tools. Rather than focusing solely on traditional software engineering, this practitioner takes ownership of the AI and tooling roadmap with minimal oversight. Candidates with strong judgment around build-versus-buy decisions and a background in translating vague business needs into scoped technical plans will find a natural fit.
What you will do
- Discover and document how work actually happens by examining people, approvals, exceptions, and informal tools that fill gaps in official processes.
- Build and ship AI-enabled tools, workflows, and automations directly alongside the analysts and teams who will use them.
- Maintain ownership of developed tools past the demo stage to ensure underlying data logic remains sound and scales effectively.
- Leverage current LLM tooling such as agents, RAG, and coding assistants to build faster while determining when a lightweight application suffices.
- Incorporate appropriate human review, exception handling, monitoring, and governance into each solution from the beginning.
- Gather voice-of-client feedback to guide scoping decisions and pilot new tools with a small group of users before team-wide rollout.
- Communicate technical decisions and tradeoffs clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
- Take ownership of a defined portion of the Real-World Data Solutions AI and tooling roadmap to drive execution with minimal oversight.
What you need
- Demonstrate the ability to understand data structures, trace data through a workflow, and validate business logic in collaboration with engineers.
- Bring a track record of driving a project or initiative from an ambiguous problem to a shipped solution with real adoption.
- Show practical experience with LLM-based tools and AI integration patterns.
- Possess an understanding of responsible AI and data governance within a regulated industry.
- Recognize when a lightweight solution is appropriate versus when security, scale, data complexity, or reliability requires engineering partnership.
- Exhibit strong communication skills to explain technical tradeoffs and translate vague business requests into scoped technical plans.
Nice to have
- Analytics, data engineering, or ETL background, or equivalent depth working directly with large relational databases like SQL, Python, or Databricks.
- Experience building playbooks, training programs, or enablement materials that scaled technology adoption.
- Prior leadership or informal mentorship experience with room to grow into greater ownership.
- Experience evaluating or piloting new AI platforms and tools to make real build-vs-buy decisions.
- Familiarity with real-world healthcare data including claims, EHR, labs, registries, or patient-level datasets used in life sciences.
Benefits
- Competitive base salary ranging between $190,000 - 240,000 with an annual bonus opportunity
- Health, dental, and vision coverage starting on day 1
- 401(k) plan and an equity program with new hire equity grants starting at the Director level and above
- Targeted 4 weeks of PTO per year including vacation, personal, and sick time
- Paid parental leave offering 12 weeks for childbearing, surrogacy, and adoption, and 6 weeks for non-childbearing parents
- Comprehensive and individualized onboarding including a mentorship program and resource library
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What is the remote work policy?
The main office is located in Center City, Philadelphia, operating on a hybrid model with in-office work required three days a week for local employees. Remote work is supported in approved hub locations and specific states due to tax and labor regulations.
What is the salary range for this role?
The base salary for the role is commensurate with experience and ranges between $190,000 and $240,000, alongside an annual bonus opportunity.
What kind of tools and technologies will I use?
You will build with modern AI, automation, analytics, and low-code tools, utilizing current LLM tooling such as agents, RAG, and coding assistants. Backgrounds in SQL, Python, Databricks, or equivalent relational databases are also relevant to the technical environment.