About the role

Sonova is looking for a visionary and execution-focused leader to build and lead our enterprise AI and workflow automation capability.

As Senior Director, AI-Powered Workflow Optimization, you will lead the strategy and execution of AI, intelligent automation, process optimization, and workflow engineering across the organization. Reporting to the Chief Digital Officer, you will help transform how work gets done across functions including Retail, Wholesale, HR, Finance, R&D, and Operations.

This is a highly strategic leadership role responsible for turning AI, process intelligence, and automation into measurable business outcomes—improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, accelerating cycle times, and enabling employees to focus on higher-value work.

You'll build and scale a global Center of Excellence while partnering with executive stakeholders to drive enterprise-wide transformation.

What you'll do

Define the enterprise AI and automation strategy

• Develop and execute Sonova's enterprise strategy for AI, intelligent automation, and workflow optimization.
• Establish the operating model, governance, and roadmap for enterprise automation initiatives.
• Prioritize investment opportunities based on business value, ROI, and strategic impact.

Lead enterprise process transformation

• Drive end-to-end process redesign across key business value streams, including Order-to-Cash, Source-to-Pay, Hire-to-Retire, and Idea-to-Launch.
• Identify opportunities through process mining, value stream mapping, and business case development.
• Build and maintain the enterprise automation roadmap and opportunity pipeline.

Build AI-powered business capabilities

Lead the development and deployment of AI solutions, including:

• Generative AI applications
• Agentic AI workflows
• Intelligent document processing
• LLM-based automation
• AI-powered decision support
• Enterprise knowledge automation

Ensure AI solutions are scalable, secure, and aligned with governance, compliance, and regulatory standards.

Lead workflow automation and platform engineering

• Oversee enterprise automation platforms and workflow engineering teams.
• Define engineering standards, reusable components, and delivery methodologies.
• Manage relationships with technology vendors and strategic implementation partners.
• Drive platform scalability, reliability, and operational excellence.

Establish enterprise governance

• Build a scalable Center of Excellence for AI and Automation.
• Define governance frameworks, standards, and best practices.
• Partner with IT, Security, Risk, and Compliance teams to ensure secure and compliant deployment of AI and automation solutions.

Measure business impact

• Define KPIs and value metrics across automation initiatives.
• Track cost savings, productivity improvements, cycle-time reduction, working capital impact, and employee experience.
• Provide executive reporting on enterprise transformation progress and business outcomes.

Build trusted partnerships

• Collaborate closely with senior leaders across Retail, Wholesale, HR, Finance, Operations, R&D, and IT.
• Act as a strategic advisor to executive stakeholders on enterprise transformation opportunities.
• Align business priorities with technology investments.

Build and lead a high-performing organization

• Recruit, develop, and lead multidisciplinary teams across AI, Automation Engineering, Process Excellence, and Platform Governance.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Represent the function with executive leadership and provide strategic recommendations to the CDO and Executive Committee.

What we're looking for

Experience

• 15+ years of experience in enterprise transformation, intelligent automation, AI, digital operations, or technology leadership.
• Proven success leading enterprise-wide automation or process transformation programs within global organizations.
• Experience establishing or scaling Centers of Excellence for AI, Automation, Process Excellence, or Digital Transformation.
• Strong background working in complex international matrix organizations.
• Experience presenting to executive leadership and Board-level stakeholders.

Technical expertise

Strong knowledge of:

• Generative AI and LLMs
• Intelligent Automation
• Process Mining
• Workflow Automation
• Business Process Management (BPM)
• Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
• Integration Platforms (iPaaS)
• Low-Code / No-Code Platforms
• Enterprise Architecture
• Process Intelligence
• Automation Governance
• AI Governance
• Digital Transformation

Experience with platforms such as Celonis, Signavio, ServiceNow, Microsoft Power Platform, or similar technologies is highly desirable.

Leadership

We're looking for someone who can:

• Lead large-scale enterprise transformation
• Influence executive stakeholders across business functions
• Balance strategic thinking with operational execution
• Build high-performing multidisciplinary teams
• Drive measurable business value through technology and process innovation

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, or a related field
• Master's degree preferred
• MBA is a plus

Industry experience

Experience in one or more of the following industries is preferred:

• MedTech
• Healthcare
• Medical Devices
• Life Sciences
• Other highly regulated industries

Location

This role can be based in Berlin, Singapore or Zurich