Digital, Data and AI Lead

Job Description
Headline: Shape the future of customer engagement, data-driven decision making, automation and AI.
Position Overview
The Digital & Data Lead is responsible for shaping and operationally leading the market’s integrated Digital, Data, Automation, Artificial Intelligence, Customer Engagement, Experience and Business Insights agenda.
The role translates business priorities and enterprise direction into a clear local strategy, capability roadmap and portfolio of initiatives. It partners with the business units to connect commercial strategy, customer insights, omnichannel engagement, data and analytics, CRM and sales force effectiveness, marketing technology, automation and AI into one coherent operating model.
Working side-by-side with Commercial, Market Access, and other local units, and regional or global teams, Digital, Data and AI Lead ensures that digital and data investments address meaningful business and customer needs, are deployed responsibly, and generate measurable value and impact while continuously fosters activation of partnerships with technology providers
Reporting to the Commercial Operations Director, this person acts as the local nexus between enterprise standards and market execution, setting digital strategy, orchestrating internal and external capabilities, governing delivery and accelerating adoption while ensuring correct execution of the Commercial Excellence and Sales Force Effectiveness processes.
Key Responsibilities
Shape the market's Digital, Customer Experience, Data, AI and Automation agenda and identifies technology and innovation opportunities to drive business growth and customer value, within the pharmaceutical/biotech landscape.
Lead omnichannel engagement, Customer Experience and commercial effectiveness initiatives, as Product Owner for Digital and Data cross-functional teams.
Transform data into actionable insights that inform strategy and decision making.
Accelerate AI and automation adoption to improve productivity, execution and operational excellence.
Oversee CRM, SFE, Market Research, Data, AI, Automation and Digital capabilities within an integrated operating model.
Manage internal resources, vendors and partners, to achieve desirable outcomes, while ensuring internal efficiency.
Establish governance, prioritize investments and ensure measurable value realization.
Develop high-performing teams and strategic partnerships to deliver sustainable transformation.
Ensure Digital Stewardship and compliance at a subsidiary level
Qualifications
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Marketing, Data Analytics, Information Systems, Life Sciences or a related field.
8+ years of experience in Digital, Data, Customer Engagement, Commercial Excellence or related transformation roles.
Track record of defining and delivering digital, analytics, automation and AI strategies that create measurable business impact.
Expertise in omnichannel engagement, customer experience, CRM/SFE, business insights and data-driven decision making.
Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and influence senior stakeholders across local, regional and global organizations.
Strong understanding of AI, automation, analytics, governance and value realization frameworks.
Strategic mindset combined with strong execution capabilities, change leadership and a passion for innovation.
Experience with Agile/Scrum with a bias towards speed and agility.
Above-market experience leading projects implementation.
High levels of self-awareness and strong communication skills. Portuguese and English language fluency.
Additional location(s) Compensation Information:
Required Skills:
Business Analysis, Data Science, Demand Management, Innovation, Requirements Management, Sourcing and Procurement, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategic Planning
Preferred Skills:
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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
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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:
VISA Sponsorship:
Travel Requirements:
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid
Shift:
Valid Driving License:
Hazardous Material(s):
Job Posting End Date:
10/25/2026
*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.