Director, Corporate Counsel - AI Compliance - $40B+ Industry Leader

Thermo Fisher Scientific • Morrisville, NC

2d • Onsite

About The Position

As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer. DESCRIPTION: Thermo Fisher Scientific is seeking an experienced and strategic Director, Corporate Counsel - AI Compliance to lead Thermo Fisher's enterprise AI Compliance Program and provide strategic legal and compliance leadership on the development, procurement, deployment, commercialization, and use of AI-enabled products, services, and processes across Thermo Fisher's global businesses and corporate functions. This role is accountable for supporting both Corporate and Business Compliance while enabling innovation and managing legal, regulatory, and ethical risks associated with artificial intelligence and automated decision-making technologies. This position is part of the Global Privacy and Technology Office and leads the ongoing evolution and operationalization of Thermo Fisher's Responsible AI Framework. Success in this role requires leading with a high degree of independence, setting program priorities, improving efficiency and scalability, influencing senior stakeholders across a highly matrixed organization, and anticipating emerging issues before they become business or compliance challenges. This role will manage two direct reports and serve as a key leader across legal, compliance, digital, and business teams. REQUIREMENTS: 10+ years of experience in legal, compliance, privacy, technology law, or AI governance, with experience advising on AI, digital innovation, or related data governance matters. Strong practical understanding of global AI and data protection frameworks, including the EU AI Act, NIST AI Risk Management Framework, and related requirements affecting the development and use of AI. Demonstrated experience building, leading, or scaling enterprise compliance, governance, or counseling programs in a complex global organization, including developing practical templates, guidance, and processes. Proven ability to work independently, manage ambiguity, anticipate issues, and influence senior stakeholders through sound judgment, clear communication, and business-oriented advice. Experience leading people and working across functions, businesses, and time zones in a highly matrixed environment; direct people leadership experience preferred. Advanced English proficiency; additional languages and experience in life sciences, healthcare, or technology sectors are a plus. HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT: Lead and shape Thermo Fisher's enterprise approach to responsible AI within one of the world's largest life sciences and technology companies. Build and scale a high-impact program that influences how AI is governed across global businesses and corporate functions. Partner with senior leaders and experienced legal, privacy, compliance, and technology professionals on matters central to innovation and growth. Lead, coach, and develop two direct reports while improving program efficiency, legal service delivery, and intake workflows to support a growing volume and complexity of AI matters. Expand your leadership experience through visibility to senior stakeholders, team leadership, and meaningful opportunities to improve how legal and compliance services are delivered. Develop and maintain practical playbooks, contract templates, fallback positions, guidance, and training materials that operationalize AI requirements and promote consistent decision-making. Manage outside counsel requests, maintain program documentation for audit or regulatory readiness, and monitor global AI legal and regulatory developments, translating external guidance into timely updates so Thermo Fisher remains current with AI requirements around the world. Be part of a culture built on Integrity, Intensity, Innovation, and Involvement, where diverse perspectives drive better outcomes and every colleague contributes to Thermo Fisher's mission.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in legal, compliance, privacy, technology law, or AI governance, with experience advising on AI, digital innovation, or related data governance matters.
• Strong practical understanding of global AI and data protection frameworks, including the EU AI Act, NIST AI Risk Management Framework, and related requirements affecting the development and use of AI.
• Demonstrated experience building, leading, or scaling enterprise compliance, governance, or counseling programs in a complex global organization, including developing practical templates, guidance, and processes.
• Proven ability to work independently, manage ambiguity, anticipate issues, and influence senior stakeholders through sound judgment, clear communication, and business-oriented advice.
• Experience leading people and working across functions, businesses, and time zones in a highly matrixed environment; direct people leadership experience preferred.
• Advanced English proficiency; additional languages and experience in life sciences, healthcare, or technology sectors are a plus.

Nice To Haves

• additional languages
• experience in life sciences, healthcare, or technology sectors

Responsibilities

• Lead and shape Thermo Fisher's enterprise approach to responsible AI within one of the world's largest life sciences and technology companies.
• Build and scale a high-impact program that influences how AI is governed across global businesses and corporate functions.
• Partner with senior leaders and experienced legal, privacy, compliance, and technology professionals on matters central to innovation and growth.
• Lead, coach, and develop two direct reports while improving program efficiency, legal service delivery, and intake workflows to support a growing volume and complexity of AI matters.
• Expand your leadership experience through visibility to senior stakeholders, team leadership, and meaningful opportunities to improve how legal and compliance services are delivered.
• Develop and maintain practical playbooks, contract templates, fallback positions, guidance, and training materials that operationalize AI requirements and promote consistent decision-making.
• Manage outside counsel requests, maintain program documentation for audit or regulatory readiness, and monitor global AI legal and regulatory developments, translating external guidance into timely updates so Thermo Fisher remains current with AI requirements around the world.
• Be part of a culture built on Integrity, Intensity, Innovation, and Involvement, where diverse perspectives drive better outcomes and every colleague contributes to Thermo Fisher's mission.

Benefits

• We offer competitive remuneration, annual incentive plan bonus, healthcare, and a range of employee benefits.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific offers employment with an innovative, forward-thinking organization, and outstanding career and development prospects.
• We offer an exciting company culture that stands for integrity, intensity, involvement, and innovation!
• We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes: A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount
• For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees