Staefa, Switzerland

GenAI Adoption Lead (R&D)

Location: Staefa (Switzerland)

The Role

The GenAI Adoption Lead (R&D) is responsible for driving the systematic adoption, scaling, and value realization of Generative AI across global R&D.

The role ensures the transition from bottom-up experimentation to a sustainable, enterprise-grade capability embedded in everyday R&D workflows, skillsets, and ways of working.

Acting as a key bridge between R&D domains, IT, Legal, and RA&QA, the role fosters alignment and enables cross-functional collaboration.

Key responsibilities

• Drive the adoption of Generative AI across key R&D areas and teams by translating strategy into actionable initiatives and pilots. Identify, prioritize, and scale high-impact GenAI use cases, supporting teams in integrating them into existing R&D workflows and tools.
• Lead and oversee the evaluation, piloting, onboarding, and deployment of GenAI tools within R&D. Define and track adoption and value metrics to ensure sustainable impact, and partner with cross-functional teams to remove barriers and enable integration beyond pilot stages.
• Promote GenAI awareness and capability building across R&D by designing and delivering training programs, developing guidance materials, and fostering communities of practice. Champion change initiatives that encourage the adoption of new tools, workflows, and behaviors, while cultivating a culture of experimentation, continuous learning, and psychological safety in AI usage.
• Act as the primary point of contact for GenAI adoption within R&D, collaborating closely with R&D leadership, Corporate IT, Legal, Regulatory Affairs & Quality Assurance, Human Resources, and external partners. Ensure clear and transparent communication on progress, insights, and best practices, and support leadership communication through town halls, organizational updates, and internal presentations.

What We Are Looking For

Education

• Master’s in Engineering or Business.
• PhD or equivalent experience will be an advantage.

Work Experience

• Proven leadership experience.
• Experience leading technology adoption or change initiatives.
• Hands-on experience with Generative AI tools and use cases.

Personal Competencies

• Strong leadership presence with a high level of drive and accountability.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with a clear people focus.
• Resilient and self-directed, with the ability to perform in dynamic environments.
• Comfortable operating in evolving and ambiguous environments.

Social Competencies

• Strong communication skills.
• Collaborative team player.
• Leadership mindset.

Leadership Competencies

• Empathetic leadership style.
• Strong project management capabilities.
• Ability to build and lead teams across different levels of the organization.

Professional Competencies

• Ability to translate AI concepts into practical business and R&D impact.
• Strong structured problem-solving and prioritization skills.
• Ability to drive organizational change effectively.
• Ability to understand, interpret, and communicate complex project and resource situations.
• Strong presentation skills, with the ability to address diverse audiences.

IT Skills

• Experience with Generative AI tools (e.g., Copilot, developer AI tools).
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and collaboration tools.
• Familiarity with project and program management tools.
• Understanding of IT, data, and security fundamentals.

Languages

• Fluent in spoken and written English.
• Proficiency in German is an advantage.

Why Join Us

Sonova is an equal opportunity employer.

We team up. We grow talent. We collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds to win with the best team in the marketplace. We guarantee every person equal treatment in regard to employment and opportunity for employment, regardless of a candidate’s ethnic or national origin, religion, sexual orientation or marital status, gender, genetic identity, age, disability or any other legally protected status.