Director, AI & Cybersecurity Legal

MSD•North Wales, PA

1d•$190,800 - $300,300•Remote

About The Position

The Director, AI and Cybersecurity Legal reports to the Chief Privacy and Digital Trust Officer and partners closely with the Chief Information Security Officer. This role serves as a trusted strategic legal adviser on AI and cybersecurity matters across the enterprise, advising on the development, deployment, and governance of AI/ML technologies, cybersecurity risk management, incident response, and regulatory compliance. The Director works with Information Technology, Information Technology Risk Management, and business teams to enable innovation while managing legal and regulatory risk in a highly regulated global pharmaceutical environment. The role provides legal guidance on AI system design, development, procurement, deployment, and governance; responsible AI principles; AI risk assessment; evolving global AI regulations; AI contracts and technology transactions; and third-party AI platforms. It also acts as the primary legal adviser to the CISO and Information Technology Risk Management on cybersecurity, including incident response, breach notification, regulatory requirements, vulnerability disclosure, vendor assessments, policies, and security provisions in commercial agreements. The Director collaborates with privacy, compliance, and legal colleagues on issues involving AI, cybersecurity, data protection, and commercial matters; advises on data governance and data-sharing arrangements; supports transaction due diligence and integration; and delivers training to business stakeholders. The position is remote, with a 10% travel requirement and a day shift. The salary range for the primary location is $190,800 to $300,300, with eligibility for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

Requirements

J.D. from an accredited law school and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
At least 10 years of legal experience, including at least 5 years focused on cybersecurity, technology, and/or AI/emerging technology law.
Deep understanding of cybersecurity legal frameworks, including HIPAA, GDPR, NIS2, SEC disclosure rules, and state breach notification laws, and of emerging AI and automated decision-making regulatory frameworks.
Extensive experience managing cybersecurity incident response from a legal perspective.
Experience advising on AI governance, responsible AI principles, and technology transactions.
Experience developing and negotiating contractual provisions addressing cybersecurity, data protection, and AI considerations in mergers, acquisitions, collaborations, strategic partnerships, and technology transactions.
Proven experience counseling on AI systems from a legal and compliance perspective, including risk assessment review, auditability, transparency obligations, and lifecycle governance.
Ability to think strategically, understand client objectives, and offer analytical, well-reasoned, creative, and pragmatic legal advice that enables innovation while protecting against legal and regulatory risk.
Strong executive presence and ability to build trust and influence senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders in a matrixed global organization.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including contributing to compliance policies and guidance documents, counseling stakeholders across seniority levels, and preparing and leading executive-level presentations.
Ability to provide clear legal advice and translate complex technical and legal concepts into concrete implementation strategies for different audiences.
Strong technical aptitude and fluency, and ability to engage meaningfully with technical concepts related to AI, data, and cybersecurity.
Meticulous attention to detail and ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Required skills include Compliance Monitoring, Cybersecurity Risk Management, Data Privacy, Data Security Management, Executive Presence, Exercises Judgment, General Data Protection Regulation, Legal Compliance, Privacy Protection, Privacy Regulations, and Regulatory Compliance.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a pharmaceutical, life sciences, healthcare, or other highly regulated environment.
Additional experience or background in data privacy/data protection.
CIPP/E, CIPP/US, CIPM, AIGP, or other AI certification.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic legal counsel on the design, development, procurement, and deployment of AI and machine learning systems across research, commercial, and corporate functions.
Advise on AI governance frameworks, responsible AI principles, algorithmic transparency, bias mitigation, and human oversight requirements for high-risk systems.
Counsel on AI governance policies, risk assessment frameworks, third-party AI due diligence, and AI incident reporting obligations.
Monitor and interpret global AI regulations, including the EU AI Act, FDA guidance on AI/ML in drug development and medical devices, and other emerging frameworks.
Serve as a member of divisional AI committees.
Lead AI contract negotiations and advise on technology transactions, data rights, and contractual issues involving generative AI tools and third-party AI platforms.
Represent the company externally as required, including engagement with regulators, trade associations, and other industry organizations.
Serve as the primary legal adviser to the CISO and Information Technology Risk Management organization on legal and regulatory matters.
Provide legal support for cybersecurity incident response, including assessment of breach notification obligations under HIPAA, state breach notification laws, and other applicable frameworks.
Advise on cybersecurity regulatory requirements, including SEC cybersecurity disclosure rules, NIST frameworks, and industry-specific standards.
Provide legal guidance on vulnerability disclosure, threat intelligence sharing, and engagement with law enforcement and regulatory authorities.
Support the development and review of cybersecurity policies, vendor security assessments, and security provisions in commercial agreements.
Partner with privacy, compliance, and legal colleagues on intersections between AI, regulatory and commercial legal considerations, cybersecurity, and data protection laws.
Advise on data governance and data-sharing arrangements involving cybersecurity and AI considerations.
Support M&A, licensing, and collaboration transactions with cybersecurity and AI due diligence and integration guidance.
Provide training and awareness to business stakeholders on AI legal risks and cybersecurity legal obligations.