Associate Director Strategic Platforms

Associate Director Strategic PlatformsSkip to main content*This site uses cookies to provide you with an optimal user experience. The cookies include Strictly Necessary and Functional cookies to ensure the site operates as intended (language preference, time zone and workload balance). These cookies are first party cookies, end with the session and are exempted from consent. In addition, this site also uses a Google Analytics Cookie to measure and improve the performance of our site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. By clicking on the ‘Accept Cookies’ button, you are accepting this Performance cookie. You may use this site if you click on the ‘Reject Cookies’ button. To revoke your consent of the Performance cookie, clear your cookies within your browser settings.*#Associate Director Strategic Platforms page is loaded## Associate Director Strategic PlatformsApplyremote type: Not Applicablelocations: USA - Pennsylvania - West Point: USA - Pennsylvania - Philadelphia (Ludlow WeWork): USA - New Jersey - Rahway: CZE - Central Bohemian - Prague (IT Riverview)time type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todaytime left to apply: End Date: June 15, 2026 (5 days left to apply)job requisition id: R401952**Job Description****Role Overview**This role drives a **platform-centric security strategy**, ensuring that enterprise applications and AI-enabled systems are built and operated securely at scale. The Associate Director serves as a **hands-on leader**, translating strategy into production-grade capabilities that **reduce risk, enable innovation, and protect enterprise data and intellectual property** across modern digital ecosystems.Key areas of focus include **SaaS posture management, PaaS native security, data protection, AI security enablement, and platform-integrated controls**, with an emphasis on **prevention-first architectures and automation**.This position leads a team of engineers and collaborates closely with **Cloud, Data, AI, Product Teams, and Enterprise stakeholders**.**Key Responsibilities*** Lead and develop a high-performing team responsible for **security across strategic platforms**, including AI systems, SaaS applications, and PaaS/cloud-native environments.* Define and execute the **security strategy for enterprise platforms**, aligning with business priorities and risk reduction objectives.* Establish and scale **SaaS security capabilities**, such as SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM), data governance, and third-party platform risk controls.* Lead **PaaS and cloud-native security engineering** for enterprise platforms such as **SAP, Databricks, and similar strategic services**.* Design, implement, and operate **security controls embedded within AI, SaaS, and PaaS platforms**, including identity, data protection, and runtime protections.* Drive **AI security realization**, including model security management, prompt hardening, secure usage patterns, and governance of AI services (e.g., LLMs, copilots, agents).* Integrate **data protection** into platform architectures, ensuring consistent enforcement across AI, SaaS, and PaaS ecosystems.* Define and operationalize **secure platform patterns**, including reusable guardrails, and builder-friendly security services.* Drive **automation and engineering-first approaches** to reduce manual controls and improve scalability of protection across thousands of applications and services.* Partner with Legal, Privacy, Risk, and Compliance teams to ensure **alignment with regulatory and data governance requirements**.* Influence **enterprise architecture and security standards**, contributing to long-term strategic roadmaps.* Serve as a **technical thought leader** and executive-facing communicator on platform security, AI risk, and cloud security posture.**Required Experience*** Bachelor’s degree in computer science, cybersecurity, engineering, or a related field.* **10+ years of experience** in SaaS architecture and delivery or cybersecurity, with strong depth in **cloud, platform, application, or AI security**.* Proven experience leading **engineering teams** and delivering enterprise-scale platform capabilities.* Hands-on expertise in **SaaS, PaaS/cloud-native, and distributed system architectures**.* Experience designing and implementing **security controls within modern platforms** (identity, data protection, API security, workload protection).* Strong understanding of **AI/ML security risks**, including data leakage, model misuse, prompt injection, and governance controls.* Experience with **public cloud security (AWS, Azure, GCP)**.* Proven ability to lead **cross-functional initiatives** across engineering, security, legal, and business teams.* Experience operating in **large, complex enterprise environments** with global scope.**Preferred Skills*** Deep expertise in **AI security frameworks and controls**, including LLM security, model governance, and responsible AI practices.* Experience with **SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM)** and CASB/SSE platforms (e.g., Zscaler, Netskope, Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps).* Experience with **API security, service mesh, and zero-trust architectures**.* Familiarity with **policy-as-code and automation frameworks**.* Knowledge of **OWASP Top 10, API Top 10, and modern threat models for cloud and AI systems**.* Strong ability to translate **technical risk into business impact** for executive audiences.* Experience managing **vendor strategy, product selection, and platform investments**.* Financial acumen, including **budget ownership and cost optimization for platform security tooling**.**Education and Certifications*** Relevant certifications such as **CISSP, CCSP, AWS/Azure Security, or AI/ML security certifications** are preferred.**Required Skills:**Application Security, Budget Management, Certificate Services, Cloud Security, Coaching and Development, Customer-Focused, Cybersecurity Analytics, Cybersecurity Operations, Information Security, Operational Technology (OT) Security, Persuasion, Zero Trust Identity**Preferred Skills:**Current Employees apply HERECurrent Contingent Workers apply HERE**US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:**Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:EEOC Know Your RightsEEOC GINA SupplementWe are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State ActsThe salary range for this role is$142,400.00 - $224,100.00This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at can apply for this role through (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.**San Francisco Residents Only:** We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance**Los Angeles Residents Only:** We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance**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:**Not Applicable**Shift:**1st - Day**Valid Driving License:**No**Hazardous Material(s):**N/a**Job Posting End Date:**06/15/2026**\*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.**Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare. #J-18808-Ljbffr