Head of AI Strategy & Transformation

Sandoz•Princeton, NJ

6d•$176,400 - $327,600•Hybrid

About The Position

Sandoz is undergoing an exciting and transformative period as a global leader in Biosimilar and Generic medicines. This role serves as the primary business leader for AI strategy, transformation, and enablement, partnering across Commercial, Supply Chain, Finance, Regulatory, P&O, Enterprise Operational Excellence, and Information Technology to identify, prioritize, and implement high-value AI opportunities that enhance decision-making, improve business processes, and enable new ways of working. The position works closely with Global IT and the North America Technology Lead to translate business priorities into scalable AI-enabled solutions while ensuring alignment with global governance and compliance standards. The role is accountable for establishing, maintaining, and governing a portfolio of AI initiatives across North America, ensuring resources are focused on the highest-value opportunities and that investments deliver measurable business outcomes. This is a highly visible and strategically important leadership role with broad exposure across the North America organization and Global functions. Reporting directly to the SVP, Strategy & Growth – North America, the role serves as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and helps shape the North America AI agenda to drive growth, improve performance, and enhance decision-making across the enterprise.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business, Technology, Engineering, Data Science, Operations, or a related field.
10+ 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 now or in the future.

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 aligned with business priorities, operational objectives, and Sandoz's growth ambitions.
Establish, prioritize, and manage a portfolio of AI initiatives across North America, balancing business value, feasibility, risk, and resource availability.
Partner with business leaders to identify and advance high-value 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.
Serve as the primary champion for AI adoption across North America, promoting responsible and practical use of AI tools in everyday work.
Increase organizational AI literacy through training, enablement, and change management initiatives that enhance employee capability and confidence.
Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement by redesigning and embedding AI-enabled ways of working across functions.
Partner with Enterprise Operational Excellence to identify opportunities where AI can 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 that support North America business objectives.
Influence and align stakeholders across Commercial, Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Quality, Regulatory, and other functions to drive successful implementation and adoption.
Ensure all 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 the strategic implications of AI for the business.