Operational Excellenc–Executive Director

Role Summary

As Head of Portfolio Strategy & Operations, Neuroscience and Gene therapies (NS & GTx), you will lead the therapeutic area and portfolio strategy. You will serve as a thought partner for the NS & GTx Head and leadership team, in collaboration with key stakeholders along the R-D-C continuum, while considering internal & external factors impacting the neuroscience and gene therapies portfolio. You will have the opportunity to oversee the team’s operations and program execution by actively partnering with Global Program Heads, development line functions, global medical affairs, and other key stakeholders, while partnering directly with the Global Program Manager function with workforce planning, demand planning, & resource needs in NS & GTx. You may also deputize for the NS & GTx Head. This position reports to the DU Head.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a thought partner for the NS & GTx unit head and leadership team on all topics related to strategy, portfolio strategy and program-level strategic considerations.
• Lead the strategic initiatives within NS GTx and contribute to development or enterprise-level initiatives.
• Co-lead the NS & GTx strategy review in collaboration with the NS & GTx Head and other NS & GTx members; works in collaboration with NS & GTx leadership members and their respective organizations; prepares outputs for Novartis senior management, Board of Directors and external audiences (e.g., investors).
• Proactively monitor external landscape (incl. industry, regulatory landscape etc.), assesses impact on portfolio and derives concrete actions / recommendations.
• Lead governance, effective discussion and quality decision making at NS & GTx Leadership team; Point person for portfolio & strategy related activities and requests.
• Lead effective internal and external communication to include IR and pipeline communications via generation or review of all NS & GTx level reports; lead development of strategic communication and associate engagement plan.
• Translate NS & GTx strategy into NS & GTx leadership team and development leadership team objectives jointly with GPTs and DU LFs; continuously tracks status.
• Optimize the portfolio value and update relevant NS & GTx strategy.
• May manage the NS & GTx Operational Manager(s) and have direct reports ranging from 1-5 associates.
• Accountable for external annual DU budget Planning and management of department headcount (10-20 FTEs) and oversight of the DU project development costs.
• Ensures resource optimization through influencing trial and program design by matching investment to portfolio prioritization and risk profile.

Qualifications

• Required: Master’s degree or equivalent education/degree in life sciences or healthcare and 10+ years of drug development experience, and knowledge of drug development strategy.
• Required: 5+ years people and matrix management experience.
• Required: Excellent problem-solving, negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Required: Considerable organizational awareness, including significant experience working cross-functionally and in global teams.
• Required: Strong relationship builder and communicator with experience leading diverse work teams, driving program excellence, engaging functional partners, and partnering with disease unit Head and Business Franchise Head.
• Required: Advanced planning and project management skills, with understanding of business processes.
• Preferred: MD, PhD or MBA.
• Preferred: Global people management experience.

Additional Requirements

• Travel: 5% travel as defined by the business (domestic and/or international).