Director of Technology, AI

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United Kingdom, +2 more countries.

📋 Description

• Develop and lead Scope Technology by integrating software, data, and AI into a unified function.

• Take full ownership of Scope's technology, data, and AI initiatives from start to finish.

• Establish and manage the strategy for technology, data, and AI, with reviews every three to six months.

• Build the team by hiring leads for Product & Emerging Technology as well as AI & Automation, while also developing the Business Systems, Data & Platform team and enhancing capabilities as the agenda expands.

• Manage the technology budget, vendor strategy, and supplier portfolio.

• Define the operating rhythm, governance, and reporting processes for technology.

• Contribute to the Scope Leaders Forum and translate technical decisions into commercial impacts for leadership and the Board.

• Streamline data operations into a single governed structure encompassing the warehouse, pipelines, and business intelligence tools.

• Define responsibilities for platform, business, and AI data.

• Expand the current information systems team into a business integration backbone, creating development pathways.

• Establish target architecture, standards, patterns, and controls for new systems.

• Implement product ownership across Optase MX2, Optase Connect, and Scope Connect, consolidating products onto a shared platform.

• Transition development to a modern, open, and AI-assisted team-owned toolchain.

• Introduce a disciplined, predictable, and visible delivery process.

• Collaborate with R&D on software related to Scope’s device products, while device engineering remains with R&D.

• Manage AI as a governed service across commercial, medical, regulatory, quality, supply chain, and operational teams.

• Establish AI governance, guidelines, and responsible-use standards that comply with GDPR, the EU AI Act, and US privacy regulations.

• Lead the company-wide development of AI capabilities in partnership with Talent & Learning Development.

• Provide guidance to leadership regarding the business value and limitations of AI, including agentic tools.

• Fulfill technology obligations under Scope's ISO 13485 quality management system, including computer system validation.

• Ensure that platforms, data pipelines, and AI tools are designed for validation from the outset.

• Strategically oversee information security, cyber resilience, and data protection across Ireland, the UK, and the US.

• Collaborate with Quality and Regulatory functions to uphold quality and regulatory standards.

• Formalize decisions regarding build versus buy and conduct technical due diligence for business development, in-licensing, and acquisitions.

• Maintain records of decisions made concerning technology investments.

⛳️ Requirements

• A degree in computer science, engineering, information systems, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience is essential.

• Proven senior technology leadership experience as a Director, Vice President, Head of Technology, or CTO, with complete ownership of a technology function.

• Demonstrated ability to build or significantly reshape a technology function, creating structure where little existed.

• Experience in consolidating a fragmented technology estate, integrating previously separate codebases, platforms, or data operations.

• Proficient in deploying and governing AI within a business, including current generative and agentic tools, beyond research or proof of concept.

• Proven track record in owning software products and revitalizing underperforming or outdated technology.

• Experience in treating data as an asset: including warehousing, business intelligence, governance, and a single source of truth.

• Skilled in building and hiring a technology team, including senior roles, and developing existing team members.

• Experience managing a technology budget and supplier portfolio, including making decisions to cease investment.

• Demonstrated ability to deliver technology within a regulated quality system, such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, or healthcare, including validation of systems affecting product or quality records.

• Willingness to operate in growing or resource-constrained organizations.

• Experience with software functioning alongside hardware or connected devices, collaborating with device engineering teams.

• Familiarity with technical due diligence for acquisitions or in-licensing, and integrating acquired technology and teams.

• Experience operating across Ireland, the UK, and the US, including EU and US data protection requirements.

• Background in consumer healthcare, eyecare, or businesses that operate through healthcare professionals.

• Ability to diagnose issues before building solutions, maintaining that position under pressure.

• Pragmatic approach to the decision-making process of build versus buy.

• Commercial acumen with the ability to articulate technology choices as commercial implications.

• Capacity to influence stakeholders across Commercial, Medical, Regulatory, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations without formal authority.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare board papers.

• Ability to cultivate a strong second-in-command and elevate the existing team.

• Comfort with frequently shifting strategies, pace, and direct collaboration with the CEO.

• A problem-solving mentality.

• Alignment with Scope's values: Authentic, Creative, Driven, and The Craic.

• High standards of confidentiality and integrity.

• Willingness and ability to travel regularly between Scope's locations in Ireland, the UK, and the US (approximately 20–25%).

• A postgraduate or professional qualification in technology leadership, architecture, information security, data, or AI is desirable.

🏝️ Benefits

• Performance-related bonus.

• 24 days of annual leave (pro-rated).

• Healthcare allowance beginning after probation, with increases at 2 and 5 years of service.

• Pension contributions through Zurich commencing after probation, with increases at 2, 5, and 8 years of service.

• Company sick pay scheme.

• Further education policy.

• Professional membership support.