Director, Head of External Animal Activities
Novartis
August 20, 2026
Remote friendly (Cambridge, MA)
United States
Operations
Key Responsibilities
- Lead enterprise oversight of Novartis-sponsored external animal activities through partners and collaborators.
- Build alignment across stakeholders while balancing enterprise risk and research objectives.
- Advise senior stakeholders on complex scientific, ethical, operational, and reputational decisions.
- Champion consistent application of Novartis animal welfare expectations across external partnerships.
- Oversee risk management, compliance, and assurance programs across external research partnerships.
- Shape and evolve governance frameworks for responsible and ethical external animal research.
- Drive due diligence, audits, issue resolution, corrective actions, and escalation processes.
- Ensure alignment with animal welfare standards, ethical principles, regulatory expectations, and the 3Rs.
- Support external partnerships, business development, and research initiatives involving animal welfare considerations.
- Lead and develop a high-performing team across a global matrix organization.
Essential Requirements
- Experience leading governance programs, assurance frameworks, or risk-based oversight.
- Ability to influence senior stakeholders and build alignment in complex matrix environments.
- Experience overseeing external research partners, CROs, or academic collaborations.
- Success with audits, due diligence, issue management, and continuous improvement.
- Veterinary degree (DVM/ VMD or equivalent).
- Deep expertise in laboratory animal medicine, animal welfare, and responsible research oversight.
- Strong knowledge of animal welfare regulations, ethical review principles, and the 3Rs.
- Board certification or equivalent (e.g., DACLAM, DECLAM, or comparable).
Desirable Requirements
- Experience in business development, partnership due diligence, or integration.
- Experience with digital tools/AI-enabled or data-driven oversight.
- Experience across multiple geographies or regulatory environments.
Rewards & Benefits
- Salary range: $176,400–$327,600/year; performance cash incentive; possible annual equity awards.
- Comprehensive benefits (health/life/disability, 401(k) match) and paid time off.
Application instructions
- Apply only if relocation is accessible (role located in Cambridge, MA; ~20% travel).
- Lead enterprise oversight of Novartis-sponsored external animal activities through partners and collaborators.
- Build alignment across stakeholders while balancing enterprise risk and research objectives.
- Advise senior stakeholders on complex scientific, ethical, operational, and reputational decisions.
- Champion consistent application of Novartis animal welfare expectations across external partnerships.
- Oversee risk management, compliance, and assurance programs across external research partnerships.
- Shape and evolve governance frameworks for responsible and ethical external animal research.
- Drive due diligence, audits, issue resolution, corrective actions, and escalation processes.
- Ensure alignment with animal welfare standards, ethical principles, regulatory expectations, and the 3Rs.
- Support external partnerships, business development, and research initiatives involving animal welfare considerations.
- Lead and develop a high-performing team across a global matrix organization.
Essential Requirements
- Experience leading governance programs, assurance frameworks, or risk-based oversight.
- Ability to influence senior stakeholders and build alignment in complex matrix environments.
- Experience overseeing external research partners, CROs, or academic collaborations.
- Success with audits, due diligence, issue management, and continuous improvement.
- Veterinary degree (DVM/ VMD or equivalent).
- Deep expertise in laboratory animal medicine, animal welfare, and responsible research oversight.
- Strong knowledge of animal welfare regulations, ethical review principles, and the 3Rs.
- Board certification or equivalent (e.g., DACLAM, DECLAM, or comparable).
Desirable Requirements
- Experience in business development, partnership due diligence, or integration.
- Experience with digital tools/AI-enabled or data-driven oversight.
- Experience across multiple geographies or regulatory environments.
Rewards & Benefits
- Salary range: $176,400–$327,600/year; performance cash incentive; possible annual equity awards.
- Comprehensive benefits (health/life/disability, 401(k) match) and paid time off.
Application instructions
- Apply only if relocation is accessible (role located in Cambridge, MA; ~20% travel).