Head of AI Strategy & Transformation
About The Position
The Head of AI Strategy & Transformation advances the adoption of artificial intelligence across Sandoz North America to improve decision-making speed and quality, organizational productivity, forecasting and predictability, and operational performance. The role is the primary business leader for AI strategy, transformation, and enablement, partnering across functions to identify, prioritize, and implement valuable AI opportunities. It works through influence rather than direct authority, collaborating with Global IT and the North America Technology Lead to translate business priorities into scalable solutions aligned with global governance and compliance standards. The position establishes, maintains, and governs a North America portfolio of AI initiatives, focusing resources on high-value opportunities and ensuring investments deliver measurable outcomes. It is a highly visible leadership role with broad exposure across North America and Global functions, serving as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and shaping the North America AI agenda. The position is based at Sandoz’s Princeton, New Jersey headquarters and follows a flexible hybrid model allowing office-based employees to work remotely up to 50% of their monthly workday; the role cannot be located remotely. Preference is given to local candidates who do not require relocation. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.; visa sponsorship is unavailable now or in the future. The role reports directly to the SVP, Strategy & Growth – North America.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in business, technology, engineering, data science, operations, or a related field.
- 10 or more years of experience in strategy, operations, digital transformation, operational excellence, technology, consulting, or related leadership roles.
- Practical experience applying AI, automation, analytics, or digital transformation technologies to solve business problems and improve operational performance, with sufficient technical understanding to evaluate solution feasibility and implementation requirements.
- Working knowledge of AI platforms, large language models (LLMs), AI agents, orchestration frameworks, and human-in-the-loop design principles.
- Demonstrated success leading enterprise-wide initiatives through influence, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement.
- Strong understanding of artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, digital technologies, and business process improvement.
- Exceptional communication, facilitation, change management, and executive stakeholder management skills.
- Must be authorized to work in the U.S.; U.S. work visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
- The position is based at the Princeton, NJ headquarters and cannot be located remotely.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degree (MBA, MS, engineering, data science, or related discipline).
- Experience in pharmaceutical, healthcare, biotechnology, or other highly regulated industries.
- Experience managing portfolios of strategic initiatives and driving cross-functional implementation through matrixed teams.
- Experience leading or working closely with technical teams to deliver technology-enabled business solutions.
- Local to Princeton, NJ and not requiring relocation is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain the North America AI strategy and roadmap aligned with business priorities, operational objectives, and Sandoz’s growth ambitions.
- Establish, prioritize, and manage a portfolio of North America AI initiatives, balancing business value, feasibility, risk, and resource availability.
- Partner with business leaders to identify and advance AI use cases that improve decision quality, productivity, forecasting accuracy, and operational performance.
- Track value realization and portfolio performance to ensure AI investments deliver measurable business outcomes.
- Champion AI adoption across North America and promote responsible, practical use of AI tools in everyday work.
- Increase organizational AI literacy through training, enablement, and change management initiatives.
- Foster innovation and continuous improvement by redesigning and embedding AI-enabled ways of working across functions.
- Partner with Enterprise Operational Excellence to identify opportunities for AI to simplify processes, reduce inefficiencies, and accelerate business performance.
- Collaborate with Global IT and the North America Technology Lead to prioritize, resource, and deliver AI solutions supporting North America business objectives.
- Influence and align stakeholders across Commercial, Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Quality, Regulatory, and other functions to drive implementation and adoption.
- Ensure AI initiatives comply with global governance, cybersecurity, privacy, compliance, and responsible AI requirements.
- Assess and mitigate risks associated with AI adoption while balancing innovation and business value.
- Advise North America leadership on AI opportunities, emerging technologies, investment priorities, and AI’s strategic implications for the business.
Benefits
- Medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision insurance.
- Company match for retirement savings accounts.
- Restricted stock units and discretionary awards.
- Life, accident, and disability insurance.
- Tuition reimbursement.
- Adoption and surrogacy reimbursement.
- Fitness program reimbursement.
- Paid sick time, care time, vacation, holidays, and personal days off.
- Hybrid work policy combining in-person and remote work.
- Competitive salary.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
