AI Strategy & Portfolio Lead

Location: Basel, Switzerland | Hybrid

Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates and their families, if needed.

We are seeking an experienced AI Strategy & Portfolio Leader to define and drive Lonza's enterprise AI strategy, roadmap, and investment portfolio. In this highly visible role, you will partner with business leaders and key functions to translate strategic priorities into impactful AI initiatives, investment decisions, and measurable business outcomes. You will oversee the end-to-end AI portfolio lifecycle, from opportunity intake and prioritization through governance and value realization, while providing senior leadership with strategic insights on AI opportunities, risks, investments, and trade-offs.

This role is primarily based on site. Working together in person supports close, real‑time collaboration and the technical precision needed to manufacture medicines to the highest quality and safety standards. We offer flexibility to work remotely for no more than 20% of your time. Requests are considered on a case‑by‑case basis, in line with business needs.

What you will get: 

• An agile career and dynamic working culture.
• An inclusive and ethical workplace.
• Compensation programs that recognize high performance.
• A variety of benefits dependent on role and location.

In addition to a competitive salary, you can expect numerous lifestyle, family, and leisure benefits. Our full list of tailored local benefits can be found below. 

• Benefits in Basel: https://media.ffycdn.net/eu/lonza-group-ag/d/5c78e3b906804b0cb6710009ab5507de?updated

What you'll do:

• Own and drive Lonza’s enterprise AI strategy, portfolio, and roadmap, ensuring alignment with business priorities and long-term objectives.
• Translate business goals into clear AI investment priorities, initiatives, and execution plans that deliver measurable value.
• Lead portfolio prioritization, investment governance, and value realization activities across AI programs and products.
• Partner closely with business leaders, Finance, GIA, and IT to identify high-impact opportunities and scale successful AI initiatives.
• Establish frameworks, metrics, and governance processes to track performance, business outcomes, and return on investment.
• Provide strategic recommendations on which initiatives to accelerate, optimize, pause, or discontinue based on value and organizational priorities.
• Bridge strategy and execution by driving decision-making, stakeholder alignment, and successful implementation across functions.

What we're looking for:

• 10+ years of experience in strategy, AI strategy, digital transformation, portfolio management, technology strategy, or a related field.
• Proven track record of translating strategic priorities into investment decisions, portfolios, and measurable business outcomes.
• Strong experience engaging and influencing senior business stakeholders in complex, global organizations.
• Solid understanding of AI and emerging technologies, with the ability to translate technology trends into practical business opportunities.
• Strong commercial, financial, and value-driven mindset, including experience evaluating investments and business cases.
• Experience operating in matrix organizations, influencing without direct authority, and driving cross-functional alignment.
• Experience in pharmaceuticals, life sciences, CDMO, or other highly regulated industries is strongly preferred.

About Lonza

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.

Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.

Ready to shape the future of life sciences? Apply now!