Director, Search & Evaluation (Platforms & AI)
Novartis
August 29, 2026
Remote friendly (Cambridge, MA)
United States
IT
Key responsibilities:
- Lead execution of AI-focused S&E strategy in priority R&D areas; translate internal priorities into external search themes and landscapes.
- Develop and maintain AI-enabled R&D strategic landscapes (company mapping, technology segmentation, financing/deal trends, opportunity prioritization).
- Lead triage and diligence for AI platform, data, model, and end-to-end discovery/development opportunities; coordinate cross-functional input.
- Assess scientific/technical differentiation and strategic fit (evidence strength, data access/quality, validation, wet/dry integration, implementation path, partner maturity, IP/data considerations).
- Prepare and present decision-ready materials for S&E, C&BD, and R&D leadership (recommendations, governance updates, deal rationale, next steps).
- Build internal alignment (BR, Development, Data/Digital/IT, enabling functions) and external relationships (AI biotech/tech, VC, incubators, academia, thought leaders).
- Monitor competitor activity/investment/BD trends and technology inflection points; improve S&E processes and evaluation frameworks.
Essential requirements:
- Deliver high-quality AI landscapes and strategic perspectives; identify differentiated, prioritized AI-enabled opportunities aligned with Novartis priorities.
- Timely, rigorous triage/diligence with clear recommendations and rationale.
- Strong cross-functional alignment and governance/leadership communication.
- Broad external network coverage and scalable improvements to organizational capability.
Desirable requirements:
- Advanced degree in life sciences/computational biology/chemistry/engineering/medicine/data science; PhD/MD/PhD/PharmD/MBA preferred.
- 10+ years in biopharma R&D, BD, AI-enabled life sciences, search/evaluation, strategy/venture/consulting, computational drug discovery, or data science.
- Strong drug discovery/development knowledge and experience leading cross-functional diligence/governance/BD evaluations; excellent executive communication.
Benefits & rewards (explicit):
- Salary range: $176,400–$327,600/year; performance-based cash incentive; may be eligible for annual equity awards; comprehensive benefits and time off.
Location: Cambridge, MA office, 3x/week.
- Lead execution of AI-focused S&E strategy in priority R&D areas; translate internal priorities into external search themes and landscapes.
- Develop and maintain AI-enabled R&D strategic landscapes (company mapping, technology segmentation, financing/deal trends, opportunity prioritization).
- Lead triage and diligence for AI platform, data, model, and end-to-end discovery/development opportunities; coordinate cross-functional input.
- Assess scientific/technical differentiation and strategic fit (evidence strength, data access/quality, validation, wet/dry integration, implementation path, partner maturity, IP/data considerations).
- Prepare and present decision-ready materials for S&E, C&BD, and R&D leadership (recommendations, governance updates, deal rationale, next steps).
- Build internal alignment (BR, Development, Data/Digital/IT, enabling functions) and external relationships (AI biotech/tech, VC, incubators, academia, thought leaders).
- Monitor competitor activity/investment/BD trends and technology inflection points; improve S&E processes and evaluation frameworks.
Essential requirements:
- Deliver high-quality AI landscapes and strategic perspectives; identify differentiated, prioritized AI-enabled opportunities aligned with Novartis priorities.
- Timely, rigorous triage/diligence with clear recommendations and rationale.
- Strong cross-functional alignment and governance/leadership communication.
- Broad external network coverage and scalable improvements to organizational capability.
Desirable requirements:
- Advanced degree in life sciences/computational biology/chemistry/engineering/medicine/data science; PhD/MD/PhD/PharmD/MBA preferred.
- 10+ years in biopharma R&D, BD, AI-enabled life sciences, search/evaluation, strategy/venture/consulting, computational drug discovery, or data science.
- Strong drug discovery/development knowledge and experience leading cross-functional diligence/governance/BD evaluations; excellent executive communication.
Benefits & rewards (explicit):
- Salary range: $176,400–$327,600/year; performance-based cash incentive; may be eligible for annual equity awards; comprehensive benefits and time off.
Location: Cambridge, MA office, 3x/week.