Executive Director, Center for AI

Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.; Basking Ridge (NJ); On-site; USD 255,000 - 425,000; Full time

Job summary

Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. seeks a strategic leader to head the Center for AI, directing AI strategy, portfolio management, governance, and enterprise-wide value delivery. This executive role drives an integrated AI agenda across DSJ, DSI, DSE, and global functions.

The position shapes the operating model, ensures cross-functional alignment, and reports AI value to executive leadership, with accountability for programming and risk management in a complex healthcare landscape.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in technology, digital transformation, or data and AI leadership.
• 4+ years building enterprise AI capability in a global, matrixed org.
• 10+ years executive-level stakeholder management and governance accountability.

Responsibilities

• Define and own Center for AI vision, strategy, operating model, and annual objectives across six functions.
• Lead, develop, and manage the Center for AI leadership team across strategy, readiness, governance, and execution.
• Own the enterprise AI strategy narrative and value reporting to executive leadership, linking AI investment to measurable outcomes.
• Serve as the senior DX AI interface into enterprise governance bodies and decision groups.
• Oversee integration and scaling of HEOM within the Center's delivery model with cross-functional partners.
• Own Center for AI budget planning and sponsorship of enterprise AI funding proposals.
• Ensure AI portfolio balance across DSJ, DSI, DSE, and global functions.
• Champion responsible AI with governance, risk, and compliance considerations.

Skills

Executive leadership

Enterprise AI strategy

AI leadership

Global delivery

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Advanced degree (MBA, MS or PhD)

Job description

Job Requisition ID: 2244

Posting Start Date: 9/28/26

At Daiichi Sankyo, we are united by a single purpose, to improve lives around the world through innovative medicines. With a legacy of innovation since 1899, a presence in more than 30 countries, and more than 19,000 employees, we are advancing breakthrough therapies in oncology, cardiovascular disease, rare diseases, and immune disorders. Guided by our 2030 vision to "be an innovative global healthcare company contributing to the sustainable development of society", we are shaping a healthier, more hopeful future for patients, their families, and society.

Job Summary

This role leads the Center for AI, Daiichi Sankyo's integrated enterprise AI organization, which consolidates AI strategy and portfolio management, enterprise AI readiness, AI technical excellence, AI solution delivery (including the High Efficiency Operating Model, HEOM), AI governance and risk management, and cross-functional AI orchestration into a single accountable capability. The role sets the direction, operating model, and decision boundaries for the Center across DSJ, DSI, DSE, and global functions, and is accountable for translating the enterprise AI ambition into delivered, adopted, and value-generating AI capabilities aligned with the 5-Year Business Plan. The role represents the consolidated DX AI voice into enterprise governance bodies and to executive leadership and is accountable for enterprise-level AI value reporting.

Job Description

Responsibilities

• Vision, Strategy & Organizational Design
• Define and own the Center for AI vision, strategy, operating model, decision boundaries, and annual objectives across its six functions, ensuring one accountable owner per work type with explicit hand-off points
• Lead, develop, and performance-manage the Center for AI leadership team spanning strategy and portfolio, readiness, technical excellence, solution and execution, governance and risk, and the AI Center of Excellence
• Own the enterprise AI strategy narrative and value story to executive leadership, including executive-level value reporting linking AI investment to measurable financial, productivity, and quality outcomes Enterprise Governance & Representation
• Serve as the senior DX AI interface into enterprise governance, including the DX Technology Council (DXTC), the AI and Data Governance Committee (AIDGC), and Joint DX-Function Digital and AI Decision Groups
• Hold final escalation authority within the Center for AI for cross-functional decisions, boundary disputes, and prioritization conflicts, and arbitrate hand-off issues between functions
• Oversee the integration and scaling of HEOM execution capability within the Center's delivery model, in partnership with DX, GBS, HR, and local site leadership Investment, Portfolio Balance & Responsible AI
• Own Center for AI budget planning and sponsorship of enterprise AI funding cases, including ring-fenced, multi-year AI investment proposals
• Ensure the AI portfolio and Center resources remain balanced across DSJ, DSI, DSE, and global functions, preventing regional or functional capture
• Champion responsible AI across the enterprise, ensuring governance, risk, and compliance obligations are met without becoming a barrier to innovation Talent, Partnerships & Adoption
• Own the Center's talent strategy, succession planning, organizational health, and leadership development
• Sponsor the Center's external AI posture, strategic partnership agenda, and vendor ecosystem direction, with day-to-day strategy development and portfolio implications managed through AI Strategy & Portfolio
• Sponsor enterprise AI adoption and cultural change in partnership with business, HR, and transformation leadership

Qualifications

Education Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree Bachelor's degree required, Advanced degree (MBA, MS or PhD) in a relevant field is preferred. required

Experience Qualifications

• 10 or More Years 15+ years of progressive experience in technology, digital transformation, or data and AI leadership, including extensive experience leading leaders and running an enterprise-scale AI, data, or digital function required
• 4 or More Years Demonstrated experience building, scaling, and leading an enterprise AI, data science, or digital capability in a global, matrixed organization, including full accountability for strategy, operating model, and delivery; pharmaceutical or life sciences industry experience strongly preferred required
• 10 or More Years Track record of executive-level stakeholder management, enterprise governance leadership, and accountability for measurable enterprise value delivery required
• 7 or More Years Experience with global capability centers, managed delivery models, or offshore/nearshore execution capabilities preferred preferred

Travel Requirements

• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time. Up to 25% Domestic and Internation Travel

Additional Information

Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Salary Range:

• USD$255,000.00 - USD$425,000.00

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