Director, Strategy & Operations to Global Head Medical Affairs

Responsibilities:                                                                                                                

• Act as a trusted partner to the Global Medical Affairs Head, driving progress on critical priorities.
• Lead and deliver complex, cross‑functional programs from initiation through execution with clear accountability.
• Translate leadership direction into structured plans, milestones, and follow‑through across global teams.
• Orchestrate alignment across Global Medical Affairs functions to ensure pace, clarity, and consistent delivery.
• Anticipate risks, unblock issues, and proactively manage dependencies in a highly matrixed environment.
• Prepare and coordinate high‑impact materials for senior leadership, governance forums, and executive meetings.
• Track progress, outcomes, and decisions, ensuring visibility and timely escalation where needed.
• Manage external partners and consultants, ensuring objectives, timelines, and value delivery are met.
• Support annual planning and priority‑setting processes, reinforcing operational discipline and execution focus.
• Represent Global Medical Affairs in key forums, building credibility through presence, clarity, and follow‑through.

Essential for the role:

• Extensive experience leading complex cross‑functional programs with visible business impact in a global environment.
• Strong program and project management capability, with a proven ability to drive execution through ambiguity.
• Demonstrated executive presence and confidence engaging with senior leaders and steering committees.
• Track record of translating leadership direction into structured plans, milestones, and measurable outcomes.
• Ability to operate effectively in a highly matrixed organisation across functions, geographies, and cultures.
• Strong judgement and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to proactively anticipate and resolve issues.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to create clear, senior‑level presentations and updates.
• High personal drive, resilience, and ownership mindset, with the energy to maintain momentum at pace.

Desirable for the role:

• Experience working within Global Medical Affairs or pharmaceutical development environments, with exposure to global governance.
• Background in strategic advisory, consulting, or transformation roles, combined with hands‑on delivery accountability.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Accessibility and accommodation: 

Switzerland

Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to E-Mail schreiben and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Benefits and Rewards: Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.
Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)