Remote AI & Cybersecurity Legal Leader

Merck; Nashville (TN); Remote; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck seeks a Director, AI and Cybersecurity Legal to partner with the Chief Privacy and Digital Trust Officer, CISO, and business teams to govern AI/ML development, deployment, and regulatory compliance within a highly regulated pharmaceutical environment.

You will lead AI governance, risk assessments, technology transactions, and incident response, enabling innovation while protecting data and privacy across global operations.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
• Minimum 10 years of legal experience, with 5+ years in cybersecurity, technology, and/or AI/emerging technology law in regulated settings.
• Deep understanding of cybersecurity and AI regulatory frameworks (HIPAA, GDPR, NIS2, SEC rules).
• Experience advising on AI governance, risk assessment, and technology transactions.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal counsel on AI/ML design, deployment, and governance across research, commercial, and corporate functions.
• Advise on AI governance frameworks, risk assessments, and human oversight requirements for high-risk systems.
• Lead AI contract negotiations and counsel on technology transactions; advise on data rights and third-party AI platforms.
• Support cybersecurity regulatory requirements, incident response, and data protection across global operations.
• Collaborate with privacy, compliance, IT risk, and business teams to balance innovation with regulatory risk.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Executive presence

Legal counseling

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Translating technical concepts

Education

J.D. from accredited U.S. law school

Active US state bar membership

CIPP/E/US/CIPM or AI certification preferred

Job description

Merck seeks a Director, AI and Cybersecurity Legal to partner with the Chief Privacy and Digital Trust Officer, CISO, and business teams to govern AI/ML development, deployment, and regulatory compliance within a highly regulated pharmaceutical environment.

You will lead AI governance, risk assessments, technology transactions, and incident response, enabling innovation while protecting data and privacy across global operations.