VP, Head of AI Center of Excellence (AI COE)

ROLE SUMMARY 

The VP, Head of AI CoE will focus on enabling consistent, high‑quality AI capabilities, including large language model (LLM) access, that can be confidently adopted across all Pfizer divisions. The role is designed to bring greater clarity, prioritization, and operating rigor to the AI CoE, ensuring that talent, platforms, and investments are aligned to Pfizer’s most important business outcomes. 

This position requires a leader who can combine technical depth, strategic thinking, and enterprise influence to help the AI CoE mature from a growing capability into a core, mission‑critical function for the company. 

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES  

Enterprise AI & LLM Platforms 

• Build and operate secure, reliable, low‑latency AI/LLM platforms with clear SLAs/SLOs, cost and performance guardrails, and strong observability. 

• Standardize access to approved foundation models and internal models, enabling consistent enterprise use while meeting compliance and privacy requirements. 

• Drive architectural simplification, platform reuse, and a catalog of reusable AI services that accelerate delivery across functions. 

Strategy, Prioritization & Operating Model 

• Define a multi‑year AI CoE strategy and roadmap aligned to enterprise priorities; make decisive trade‑offs that focus talent and investment on the highest‑value outcomes. 

• Shift from project-by-project execution to platforms, products, and capabilities with measurable value realization and transparent portfolio governance. 

• Establish outcome‑based funding, clear ownership, and cadence for performance reviews to ensure delivery at scale. 

Responsible & Inclusive AI at Scale 

• Partnering closely with Legal, Compliance, Privacy, and Security, embed Responsible AI by design: model risk management, validation, auditability, explainability, human‑in‑the‑loop controls, and regulatory readiness. 

• Ensure equitable access to AI platforms, tools, and enablement so teams across geographies and functions benefit from shared capabilities and standards. 

Enterprise Influence & Partnerships 

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders in across the enterprise to align initiatives, remove roadblocks, and accelerate adoption. 

• Communicate a clear vision for how AI accelerates Pfizer’s scientific and operational breakthroughs; champion responsible speed in a regulated environment. 

Talent, Culture & Ways of Working 

• Raise the engineering and leadership bar: recruit, develop, and retain top AI platform engineers, ML engineers, applied scientists, and AI product leaders. 

• Set standards for software quality, MLOps/LLMOps, model lifecycle management, security, and SRE practices; promote craftsmanship and continuous learning. 

• Foster a culture of pride, recognition, collaboration, and learning that enables teams to do their best work together. 

QUALIFICATIONS  

Basic Qualifications 

• BS/BA degree required, higher degree preferred or relevant experience, 15+ years in technology/AI/advanced analytics leadership, including building and running enterprise‑scale AI/ML or data platforms with high reliability and performance.  

• Deep understanding of LLMs/foundation models, ML systems architecture, MLOps/LLMOps, security, and modern cloud platforms. 

• Proven ability to shape strategy, prioritize portfolios, and influence senior executives in complex, matrixed organizations. 

• Experience operating in highly regulated environments (e.g., life sciences, healthcare, financial services) with strong compliance and audit disciplines. 

• Demonstrated track record of building high‑performing engineering organizations and cultivating inclusive, collaborative cultures. 

• Significant experience with MLOps frameworks (e.g., Kubeflow, SageMaker, MLflow) and a deep understanding of the inference stack (GPU orchestration, quantization techniques, and token-optimization). 

• Expert-level knowledge of data privacy, security, and ethics in a regulated environment (HIPAA, GDPR, GxP). 

Preferred 

• Prior leadership of an AI Center of Excellence or platform product organization supporting multiple business units. 

• Experience translating advanced science and technology into enterprise‑ready platforms adopted at scale across R&D, Manufacturing, and Commercial. 

• Familiarity with Responsible AI frameworks, model risk governance, and validation approaches suitable for regulated use cases. 

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS  

Travel up to 20% may be required for business activities. 

OTHER INFORMATION 

• May be eligible for Relocation services 

• Posting expiration date March 16, 2026 

Supervision 

Total number of colleagues managed would be ~150-200. Direct reports would be VPs and Sr. Directors  

. 

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $274,000.00 to $426,800.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 30.0% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program. We offer comprehensive and generous benefits and programs to help our colleagues lead healthy lives and to support each of life’s moments. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. Learn more at Pfizer Candidate Site – U.S. Benefits | (uscandidates.mypfizerbenefits.com). Pfizer compensation structures and benefit packages are aligned based on the location of hire. The United States salary range provided does not apply to Tampa, FL or any location outside of the United States.

Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

Sunshine Act

Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state transparency laws and implementing regulations.  These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide government agencies with information such as a health care provider’s name, address and the type of payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure.  Subject to further legal review and statutory or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known as the Sunshine Act.  Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made currently will be reported to the government.  If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.

EEO & Employment Eligibility

Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status.  Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA.  Pfizer is an E-Verify employer.  This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.

Pfizer endeavors to make www.pfizer.com/careers accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process and/or interviewing, please email [email protected]. This is to be used solely for accommodation requests with respect to the accessibility of our website, online application process and/or interviewing. Requests for any other reason will not be returned.

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