Director, AI & Cybersecurity Legal

MSD Malaysia; North Wales (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 191,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. seeks a Director, AI and Cybersecurity Legal to advise on AI/ML governance, cybersecurity risk management, and regulatory compliance across the enterprise.

The role reports to the Chief Privacy and Digital Trust Officer and partners with the CISO and IT teams to enable innovation while reducing legal risk in a highly regulated global pharmaceutical environment. The candidate will lead AI- and cybersecurity-related negotiations, policy development, and regulatory monitoring (EU

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active state bar membership.
• Minimum 10 years legal experience with 5+ years in cybersecurity, technology, and/or AI/emerging technology law.
• Pharma/Life sciences regulatory environment experience preferred.
• Deep understanding of cybersecurity and AI regulatory frameworks (HIPAA, GDPR, NIS2, SEC rules).
• Extensive experience managing cybersecurity incident response from a legal perspective.
• Experience advising on AI governance, responsible AI, and technology transactions.
• Experience drafting/negotiating contracts with cybersecurity and AI considerations (M&A, collaborations).
• CIPP/E/US/CIPM or other AI certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal counsel on design, development, procurement, and deployment of AI/ML systems.
• Advise on AI governance frameworks, transparency, bias mitigation, and oversight requirements for high-risk systems.
• Develop AI governance policies and due diligence for third parties; implement AI incident reporting obligations.
• Monitor evolving AI regulations globally (EU AI Act, FDA guidance) and advise accordingly.
• Lead AI contract negotiations and counsel on technology transactions.
• Counsel on data rights and contractual issues arising from generative AI tools.
• Represent the company externally with regulators and industry groups.
• Serve as primary legal advisor to CISO and IT Risk Management on regulatory matters.
• Support cybersecurity incident response, including breach notification obligations.
• Advise on cybersecurity regulatory requirements and vendor security provisions.
• Collaborate with privacy, compliance, and business teams; guide M&A and collaborations.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Executive presence

Communication

Analytical reasoning

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Job description

Job Description The Director, AI and Cybersecurity Legal will report to the Chief Privacy and Digital Trust Officer, partner closely with the Chief Information Security Officer, and serve as a trusted and strategic legal adviser on AI and cybersecurity matters across the enterprise. This role will provide legal counsel on the development, deployment, and governance of AI/ML technologies, as well as cybersecurity risk management, incident response, and regulatory compliance. The Director will partner closely with Information Technology, Information Technology Risk Management, and business teams to enable innovation while managing legal and regulatory risk in a highly regulated global pharmaceutical environment.

Key Responsibilities

Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technology

• Provide strategic legal counsel on the design, development, procurement, and deployment of AI and machine learning systems across research, commercial, and corporate functions.
• Advise on AI governance frameworks, including responsible AI principles, algorithmic transparency, bias mitigation, and human oversight requirements for high-risk systems.
• Provide strategic legal counsel related to the design and implementation of next-generation AI Governance, including AI policies, evolving AI risk assessment frameworks (e.g., triage design, risk tiering, domain‑specific assessment frameworks, automation, and streamlined decision workflows), third‑party AI due diligence, and implementing AI incident reporting obligations.
• Monitor and interpret evolving AI regulations globally, including the EU AI Act, FDA guidance on AI/ML in drug development and medical devices, and other emerging frameworks.
• Serve as a member of divisional AI committees.
• Lead AI contract negotiations and counsel on technology transactions.
• Counsel internal stakeholders on data rights and contractual issues arising from generative AI tools and third‑party AI platforms.
• Represent the company externally as required, including engaging with regulators, trade associations, and other industry organizations.

Cybersecurity

• Serve as the primary legal advisor to the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Information Technology Risk Management organization on legal and regulatory matters.
• Provide legal support for cybersecurity incident response efforts, including assessing breach notification obligations under HIPAA, state breach notification laws, and other applicable frameworks.
• Advise on cybersecurity regulatory requirements, including SEC cybersecurity disclosure rules, NIST frameworks, and industry‑specific standards.
• Provide legal guidance on vulnerability disclosure, threat intelligence sharing, and engagement with law enforcement and regulatory authorities.
• Support the development and review of cybersecurity policies, vendor security assessments, and security provisions in commercial agreements.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with privacy, compliance and legal colleagues to address intersections between AI, regulatory and commercial legal considerations, cybersecurity, and data protection laws.
• Advise on data governance and data‑sharing arrangements that implicate cybersecurity and AI considerations.
• Support M&A, licensing, and collaboration transactions with cybersecurity and AI due diligence and integration guidance.
• Provide training and awareness to business stakeholders on AI legal risks and cybersecurity legal obligations.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
• Minimum 10 years of legal experience, with at least 5 years focused on cybersecurity, technology, and/or AI/emerging technology law, preferably in a pharmaceutical, life sciences, healthcare, or other highly regulated environment.
• Additional experience or background in data privacy/data protection a plus.
• Deep understanding of cybersecurity legal frameworks (HIPAA, GDPR, NIS2, SEC disclosure rules, state breach notification laws) and emerging AI and automated decision‑making regulatory frameworks.
• Extensive experience managing cybersecurity incident response from a legal perspective.
• Experience advising on AI governance, responsible AI principles, and technology transactions.
• Experience developing and negotiating contractual provisions addressing cybersecurity, data protection, and AI considerations in connection with mergers, acquisitions, collaborations, strategic partnerships, and technology transactions.
• Proven experience counseling on AI systems from a legal and compliance perspective, including risk assessment review, auditability, transparency obligations, and lifecycle governance.
• CIPP/E/US/CIPM, AIGP, or other AI certification preferred.

Required Skills

Ability to think strategically, understand client objectives, and offer analytical, well‑reasoned, creative, and pragmatic legal advice designed to enable innovation while protecting against legal and regulatory risk. Strong executive presence and ability to build trust and influence senior leadership and cross‑functional stakeholders in a matrixed global organization. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to contribute to compliance policies and guidance documents, counsel business stakeholders across multiple levels of seniority, and prepare and lead executive‑level presentations. Ability to provide strong, clear legal advice and translate complex technical and legal concepts into concrete implementation strategies for audiences. Strong technical aptitude and fluency, and the ability to engage meaningfully with technical concepts related to AI, data, and cybersecurity. Meticulous attention to detail and ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment.

• Business Consulting Services
• Business Consulting Services
• Compliance Activities
• Compliance Monitoring
• Compliance Reporting
• Confidentiality
• Customer Service Leadership
• Cybersecurity Risk Management
• Data Breach Response
• Data Privacy
• Data Protection
• Data Security
• Data Security Management
• Ethics
• Executive Presence
• Exercises Judgment
• General Data Protection Regulation
• Governance Framework
• HIPAA Compliance
• Information Technology (IT)
• Legal Compliance
• Legal Research
• Legal Strategies
• Multilingualism
• Negotiation

Preferred Skills

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only: Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process. As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit: EEOC Know Your Rights EEOC GINA Supplement We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

The salary range for this role is $190,800.00 - $300,300.00. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs. The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long‑term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• Retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• Paid holidays
• Vacation
• Compassionate and sick days

More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

Job Posting End Date: 09/26/2026. Employee Status: Regular Relocation: Domestic VISA Sponsorship: No Travel Requirements: 10% Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid Shift: 1st - Day Valid Driving License: No Hazardous Material(s): N/A.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.