Head of AI Strategy & Transformation (Director Level)

Sandoz•Princeton, NJ

5d•$176,400 - $327,600•Hybrid

About The Position

The Head of AI Strategy & Transformation is the primary business leader for AI strategy, transformation, and enablement across Sandoz North America. The role partners across business functions to identify, prioritize, and implement high-value AI opportunities that improve decision-making, business processes, productivity, forecasting, and operational performance. It operates through influence rather than direct authority, working closely with Global IT and the North America Technology Lead to translate business priorities into scalable AI-enabled solutions aligned with global governance and compliance standards. The position establishes, maintains, and governs a portfolio of North America AI initiatives, focusing resources on the highest-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 helping shape the North America AI agenda. The role reports directly to the SVP, Strategy & Growth – North America. The position is based at Sandoz’s Princeton, New Jersey headquarters. Under the company’s flexible hybrid approach, office-based employees may work remotely up to 50% of their monthly workday; this role cannot be fully remote. Preference is given to local candidates who do not require relocation. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available now or in the future.

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 business problems and operational performance, with sufficient technical understanding to assess 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.

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.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain the North America AI strategy and roadmap in alignment 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 responsible and practical AI adoption across North America.
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 improve 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 AI adoption risks while balancing innovation and business value.
Advise North America leadership on AI opportunities, emerging technologies, investment priorities, and the strategic implications of AI.