Associate Director Digital - Data & AI Legal

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 deliver engaging training to non-legal audiences.

• Experience leveraging legal technology and digital tools to improve efficiency and scalability in legal operations.

• Legal and/or Compliance experience in the pharmaceutical/life sciences industry in international markets

Location:

• Lucerne, Switzerland

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

N/A

Required Skills:

Confidentiality, Contract Administration, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Digital Healthcare, Global Coordination, Intellectual Property Law, Legal Compliance, Legal Research, Operational Efficiency, Pharmaceutical Regulatory Compliance, Regulatory Compliance, Regulatory Reporting, Risk Avoidance, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Alignment

Preferred Skills:

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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. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

11/26/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.