Head of Data Excellence

Company Description

Syngenta is a leading AgTech company, dedicated to bringing plant potential to life. Each of our 30,000 employees in more than 100 countries work together to solve one of humanity’s most pressing challenges: growing more food with fewer resources. A diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace environment are enablers of our ambition to be the most collaborative and trusted team in agriculture.  

Our employees reflect the diversity of our customers, the markets where we operate and the communities which we serve. No matter what your position, you will have a vital role in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet. Join us now and help shape the future of agriculture. 

Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Switzerland.

This role can be based either in Basel, Switzerland or Jealott's Hill, UK.

Job Description

In Crop Protection R&D, we design and evolve cutting-edge data capabilities to allow us to access, connect, share and harness our R&D data at an unprecedented scale and pace. We cover a wide spectrum of data from Research (chemistry and biology research data) to open field IoT (environmental sensors, drones), NLP and image analysis. We firmly believe in FAIR, shared and connected data products, empowered and data-savvy people, agile delivery and open source. 

We are looking for a progressive leader with deep expertise in R&D data management processes, coupled with outstanding interpersonal and business skills to play a key role in CR R&D-wide foundational capabilities and transformation efforts, such as data quality, master and reference data management, ontologies, data catalogues and data platforms for analytics and innovation. 

Key accountabilities and expectations  

• Drive the effective creation, management and exploitation of trusted and reliable FAIR data assets within and across R&D functions to drive project and business decisions and enable more effective analytics and data science 
• Set the CP R&D strategy on the priority, application and platforms for proactive and impactful data management, including data quality 
• Define and govern a set of CP R&D-wide standards on data, metadata and access/security within Syngenta R&D and CROs 
• Establish and chair data excellence activities to ensure business data ownership, stewardship and sponsorship, prioritize work and resolve data issues 
• Lead CR R&D-wide data transformation initiatives, such as the creation and management of data access, data glossary, data catalogue, and data harmonisation/interoperability in our R&D data platform 
• Lead change management campaigns on FAIR, data culture and data literacy 
• Act as the business product owner for cross-functional data capabilities such as the management of master data, data quality, ontologies and data access platforms.  

Qualifications

• MSc/PhD in STEM or data-related sciences and engineering 
• More than 10 years of experience leading data management initiatives in complex organizations and related industries (chemical, pharma, science-driven R&D) with deep technical understanding of R&D concepts and how scientific data is produced, managed and used 
• Advanced knowledge of data governance practices, business and technology issues related to management of enterprise information assets and approaches related to data quality, privacy and architecture 
• Superb consulting skills, coupled with change management concepts and strategies, including communication, culture change and performance measurement design 
• Proven knowledge and experience of data management tools and technology solutions, such as data catalogues, data modelling and ontology management platforms 
• Knowledge of agile and product management principles and methodologies is desired  

Essential personal capabilities  

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills and proven ability to explain complex data management concepts as simple comprehensible messages for senior leaders 
• Ability to challenge, shape and influence the way things are done 
• Ability to self-direct and take on broad, R&D-wide projects from beginning to end 
• Ability to build networks across regions, cultures, and countries 
• Highly organized and structured in planning and execution of responsibilities 
• Proven people management skills, mentoring and coaching.   

Additional Information

Please send your complete application with CV and motivation letter.

We offer a variety of financial and non-financial benefits including: 

• A position which contributes to valuable and impactful work in a stimulating and international environment 
• ​​​​​A superb working environment with an open culture and diverse workforce where new ideas are always welcome  
• The opportunity to work with and learn from highly qualified and experienced employees and gain scientific and technical excellence  
• Learning culture (Together we Grow) and wide range of training options  
• Competitive pension fund plan, attractive bonus system, onsite doctor, fitness room, canteen, and other benefits (Family friendly initiatives, Child and Family allowance…)  
• ​​​​​​​World-class headquarters in Basel, R&D Science Campus in Jealott’s Hill and the Global Research Center in Stein 

Did you know? Syngenta has been ranked as a top employer by Science Journal. 

Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.