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The position will report to the Chief Data Officer which is still being recruited.
About Roche Digital Technology (RDT)
Roche Digital Technology (RDT) is where innovation meets purpose. As a global team at the heart of Roche, we are a community of business-minded technologists committed to help shape tomorrow’s digital future of healthcare. Our mission is to power Roche through cutting-edge digital technologies, harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence, data, and scalable tech innovations. Driven by purpose and passion, we’re building a future where digital is a core strength across all of Roche, enabling smarter ways of working, unlocking human potential, and driving breakthroughs that truly matter for millions of patients around the world.
Role Summary
The Head of Data Strategy & Governance is a critical global leadership role responsible for refining and executing the organization's overarching data strategy. Reporting to the Chief Data Officer, you will lead a global division and act as the chief architect of a data-driven culture. Your mission is to bridge technology with core business needs, leveraging a federated governance model to transform data into a secure, high-quality, and compliant strategic asset that directly fuels our AI and business initiatives. This role holds accountability to the Group Data Strategy Council and leads the Roche Data Operating Team (RDOT).
Key Accountabilities
Define and Evolve Data Strategy: Drive the continuous evolution of the global data strategy in partnership with the Group Strategy team, ensuring it anticipates future needs and adapts proactively to technological advancements and complex regulatory changes.
Lead Federated Governance Implementation: Provide active leadership in the implementation and effective adoption of the federated data governance framework across all critical business functions (R&D, Commercial, Manufacturing, etc.).
Fuel AI and Advanced Analytics: Guarantee a seamless, compliant data supply chain, ensuring that high-quality, governed data is readily available to accelerate and scale the organization's AI and machine learning initiatives.
Establish Enterprise Data Standards: Define and enforce key data object standards and policies organization-wide, ensuring data integrity, consistency, and strict compliance with ethical and regulatory requirements.
Serve as a Strategic Influencer: Negotiate and collaborate with data domain leaders and senior management to align data initiatives with enterprise goals, while fostering a culture of data literacy and accountability without stifling innovation.
Manage Governance Operations: Organize and run high-impact data governance forums and processes (e.g., the RDOT), monitoring compliance, driving continuous improvement, and resolving complex data stewardship issues.
Cultivate High-Performing Talent: Directly manage and mentor a global team of data professionals, emphasizing their vital role in shaping the organization's data future and driving large-scale change initiatives.
Key Leadership Competencies and Skills
Strategic and Influence Capabilities
Consensus Building: Exceptional ability to build consensus and influence senior leaders and diverse stakeholders across a matrixed, global organization to align on governance and strategy.
Visionary Strategy: Proven capability to define a clear, forward-looking data strategy that aligns with overall business objectives, anticipating and enabling future technological and commercial growth.
Large-Scale Change Leadership: Extensive experience in driving and directing large-scale, enterprise-wide change initiatives related to data, governance, and technology adoption.
Technical and Domain Expertise
Life Sciences Acumen: Deep understanding of the pharmaceutical or life sciences business, enabling the translation of complex technology and data concepts into clear business value.
AI Data Enablement: Strong understanding of the specific data requirements, architecture, and quality standards needed to effectively enable AI and Machine Learning initiatives at scale.
Compliance and Ethics: Expert knowledge of data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR) and the ethical considerations of data management, particularly within the context of generative and applied AI.
Education & Experience
A university degree, ideally in a digital technology or related technical subject.
Minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in data management, governance, or strategy, preferably in a complex global setting.
A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100’000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.
Let’s build a healthier future, together.
Roche is an Equal Opportunity Employer.