Director, Technical Program Management, AI & Digital Platforms

Position Summary

The Director, Technical Program Management, AI & Digital Platforms architects and operates Empower Pharmacy’s enterprise execution engine across AI, automation, data platforms, and core pharmacy systems. This role transforms strategy into inspection-ready delivery, ensuring high-stakes initiatives scale with speed, precision, and regulatory rigor. Accountable for enterprise program outcomes, the Director establishes disciplined governance, real-time transparency, and outcome-driven execution across complex, cross-functional portfolios.

With a strong focus on artificial intelligence, this leader ensures AI systems move from concept to validated production, delivering measurable improvements in patient safety, compliance confidence, throughput, and scalability. Success is defined by predictable delivery, early risk surfacing, and execution systems that reduce heroics while increasing velocity. The Director builds and leads a world-class TPM organization, embedding accountability, technical judgment, and mission-centric urgency so Empower Pharmacy’s growth never outpaces quality, compliance, or trust.

Duties and Responsibilities

Enterprise Program & Portfolio Leadership

Own enterprise-critical portfolios spanning AI platforms, automation, ERP, LIMS, PMS, and cloud data infrastructure, sequencing initiatives by risk, regulatory impact, and capacity. Translate corporate strategy into technically grounded, outcome-based roadmaps with clear milestones, dependencies, and success metrics. Establish executive governance, operating cadence, escalation paths, and decision rights that function under pressure and eliminate ambiguity.

AI & Digital Platform Execution

Lead AI and machine learning initiatives from concept through sustained production, embedding models into real pharmacy workflows at enterprise scale. Ensure AI systems meet explainability, validation, auditability, and regulatory standards required in regulated healthcare environments. Define and track AI value realization tied to patient safety, inspection outcomes, throughput, cost efficiency, and scalability.

Risk, Compliance & Inspection Readiness

Design execution systems that are inspection-ready by default, embedding documentation, traceability, and quality controls into delivery practices. Identify systemic risks, hidden dependencies, and execution failure modes early, driving mitigation with clear ownership and timelines. Exercise disciplined judgment on AI risk, halting or redesigning initiatives that threaten compliance, trust, or operational stability.

Cross-Functional & Executive Partnership

Act as the connective tissue across Technology, Pharmacy Operations, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and Customer Experience. Provide executives with unfiltered, data-driven insights into progress, risk, and tradeoffs, surfacing issues early and plainly. Resolve conflicts where priorities collide, balancing growth demands with regulatory and operational realities.

TPM Organization & Operating System Build

Design and scale a high-performance TPM organization aligned to enterprise risk, platform complexity, and growth trajectory. Install standardized planning, risk management, tooling, and reporting systems that replace heroics with repeatable excellence. Build a culture of accountability, ownership, transparency, and controlled intensity while developing future execution leaders.

Knowledge and Skills

Deep expertise in enterprise program management, operating cadence design, and portfolio governance within complex, high-growth, regulated environments. Proven ability to deliver production-grade AI and data platforms with explainability, validation, and audit readiness embedded throughout the lifecycle. Strong technical fluency across cloud data infrastructure, automation, ERP, LIMS, PMS, and AI/ML systems. Exceptional executive communication skills, translating complex technical and regulatory realities into clear decisions and aligned action.

Key Competencies

• Customer Focus: Builds trust through customer-centric solutions.
• Strategic AI: Guides responsible AI adoption and adaptation.
• Optimizes Work Processes: Drives efficiency with continuous improvement.
• Collaborates: Partners effectively to achieve shared goals.
• Resourcefulness: Secures and deploys resources efficiently.
• Manages Complexity: Simplifies and solves complex challenges.
• Ensures Accountability: Delivers on commitments with integrity.
• Situational Adaptability: Adjusts approach to shifting conditions.
• Communicates Effectively: Tailors messages to diverse audiences.

Values

• People: Empowering people defines who we are.
• Quality: Excellence in every product, every time.
• Service: Serving others is our highest purpose.
• Innovation: Advancing care through technology and discovery.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in technical program management, engineering program management, or equivalent leadership roles.
• 5+ years leading large, cross-functional, technology programs in regulated environments (healthcare, life sciences, pharma, medtech).
• Strong technical foundation in software development, cloud platforms, data systems, and AI/ML concepts.
• Proven experience delivering complex platforms involving multiple engineering and data teams.
• Deep understanding of Agile methodologies and modern SDLC practices.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and executive communication skills.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in pharmacy, pharmaceutical manufacturing, compounding, or healthcare operations.
• Direct experience delivering AI/ML or automation solutions in production.
• Familiarity with FDA regulations, USP standards, and validation frameworks (CSV).
• MBA or advanced degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.

Benefits

We offer comprehensive benefits to support your health, well-being, and future, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, 401(k) matching, wellness perks, IV therapy, and compounded medications. Learn more: https://careers.empowerpharmacy.com/benefits/

Key skills/competency

• Enterprise Program Management
• AI/ML Platform Delivery
• Regulatory Compliance
• Cloud Data Infrastructure
• Agile Methodologies
• Stakeholder Management
• Executive Communication
• Risk Management
• TPM Leadership
• SDLC Practices