Associate Director Digital, Data & AI Legal (m/f/d)

Merck; Luzern; On-site; CHF 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck seeks an Associate Director, International Legal & Compliance (Digital, Data and AI) to provide strategic legal and compliance guidance across ex-US digital health, AI, and data initiatives. You will partner with business, technology, and support functions across markets to enable responsible innovation while managing regulatory risk.

The role reports to the Director, Digital, Data & AI, and involves global collaboration, risk assessment, and training design across multiple jurisdictions.

Qualifications

• Law degree with license to practise in a relevant jurisdiction.
• LL.M. or equivalent in technology law, data protection or IP is preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of post-qualification legal experience in pharma, life sciences, or regulated sectors.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal and compliance counsel for ex-US digital health, AI, data analytics, and technology-enabled initiatives.
• Assess and document AI and data use risks including privacy, IP, bias, and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor AI, privacy, cybersecurity, and data governance regulations and translate to pragmatic guidance.
• Review and negotiate technology and data-related agreements, including data use and training provisions.
• Collaborate with global teams to ensure alignment and timely compliance.
• Design and deliver training on digital, data and AI topics across markets.

Skills

Fluent English

Global collaboration

Negotiation

Legal risk management

Education

Law degree with license to practise (common/civil law)

LL.M. in technology law, data protection or IP (preferred)

Tools

CIPP/CIPM/IAPP certifications

AI/ML basics

Data governance

Job description

Job Description

Legal Area: International Legal & Compliance

The Associate Director, International Legal & Compliance (Digital, Data and AI) is a member of the International Legal & Compliance team, providing strategic legal and compliance counsel in support of the company's ex-US digital, data, and AI strategy and initiatives.

The role partners closely with other members of the International Legal & Compliance organization, as well as with business, technology, and other support functions across the international markets to enable responsible innovation while managing legal, compliance and regulatory risks.

The position reports to the Director, Digital, Data & AI, International Legal & Compliance.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Serve as an embedded legal and compliance partner to business and technology stakeholders on ex-US digital health, AI, data analytics, and technology-enabled initiatives, providing practical, risk-based guidance across the full solution lifecycle - from design and development through deployment and scale - while safeguarding regulatory compliance, data protection and patient and HCP interests.


• Assess and document legal and compliance risks relating to AI and data use, including privacy, intellectual property, bias, transparency, safety, accountability, and third-party risk.


• Monitor and track emerging AI, digital, privacy, cybersecurity, and data governance regulations and requirements and translate them into pragmatic guidance, policies, and training.


• Review and negotiate technology, AI, data, cloud, SaaS, API, licensing, and digital partnership agreements, including provisions on data use, model training, indemnities, audit rights, and third-party obligations.


• Collaborate with regional and market legal & compliance teams, IT/digital functions, Global Privacy Office, US counterparts, outside counsel, and external partners to ensure global alignment and consistency in approach.


• Manage a portfolio of legal matters and projects related to digital, data, and AI across multiple international markets, prioritising based on risk, commercial impact and regulatory deadlines.


• Design and deliver compliance training programmes on digital, data and AI topics for business and functional stakeholders across international markets, ensuring awareness of applicable legal and regulatory requirements.


• Support the adoption of AI tools and legal technology within International Legal & Compliance by identifying practical use cases, supporting implementation, and promoting efficient legal service delivery.

Qualifications:

• Law degree (common law or civil law jurisdiction) with a current license to practise or equivalent professional certification;


• Advanced degree (LL.M. or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as technology law, data protection, health law, or intellectual property is preferred, but not required.


• Minimum of 5 years of post-qualification legal experience gained either in a legal department or at a law firm, preferably working in a pharmaceutical, life sciences, healthcare, or other highly regulated environment.


• Working knowledge of the AI, data protection, privacy, cybersecurity, and digital regulatory landscape applicable to international markets - including EU frameworks (e.g. EU AI Act, GDPR, NIS2 Directive, EU Data Act) and key international regimes - together with an awareness of emerging global AI governance initiatives and international data transfer mechanisms.


• Fluent in English, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly and concisely; proficiency in one or more additional languages relevant to key international markets (e.g. German, French, Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese) is an advantage.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• CIPP (e.g. CIPP/E, CIPP/A), CIPM, IAPP AIGP, or equivalent certification preferred.


• Experience advising on digital health products, including software as a medical device, digital therapeutics, and patient-facing technologies


• Working understanding of AI/ML, data science workflows, cloud technologies, and digital product development lifecycles


• Strong commercial acumen and solution-oriented mindset, with the ability to balance legal risk management with business enablement and speed-to-market.


• Proven ability to operate effectively in matrixed, global organization, with the capacity to influence stakeholders across functions, geographies, and seniority levels.


• Strong skills in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex technology and data-related agreements.


• Sound judgement, strong analytical skills, and disciplined decision-making in novel, ambiguous, or high-risk situations.


• Collaborative working style across cross-functional, cross-cultural, internal, and external stakeholder groups.


• Ability to be proactive, highly responsive, take initiative, handle pressure and manage a portfolio of issues in a fast-paced environment.


• Strong communication and presentation skills in verbal and written English with the ability to d