Senior Program Head

Role Summary

Senior Program Head (GPH) for an Early Portfolio at Novartis. Drives the program lifecycle, defines strategic vision, optimizes lifecycle management, and leads integrated development plans to achieve regulatory and access outcomes. Represents the program internally and externally, and manages the Global Program Team to deliver enterprise value while fostering a high-performance, collaborative environment. Based in Basel, Switzerland or East Hanover, US.

Responsibilities

• Drive the program's transformational vision and translate strategies into practical, impactful plans.
• Combine complex internal/external elements to inform decision-making and identify key issues in complex scenarios.
• Operate across the research-development-commercial continuum to understand impact, diverse perspectives, and shared purpose; incorporate new tools as needed.
• Define asset strategic vision, optimize lifecycle management, and drive integrated development plans for regulatory and access outcomes.
• Design the Target Product Profile (TPP) and the Integrated Development Plan (IDP); lead end-to-end program leadership and represent the program internally and externally.
• Instigate innovation in early-stage development processes and communicate program impact projections and early-stage commercial viability.
• Uphold regulatory compliance and meet commitments related to quality, timeline, cost, and value.
• Lead and develop the Global Program Team with clear roles, growth opportunities, and accountability.
• Maintain positive stakeholder relationships with clear, concise communication throughout the program lifecycle; navigate conflicts diplomatically.
• Influence stakeholder expectations through evidence-based communication and involve them in decision-making; adapt strategies to stakeholder needs and responses.

Qualifications

• MD preferred or PhD with strong scientific background
• Experience in Immunology required
• Minimum 8 years of drug development experience, including dossier submission for new or supplemental indication
• Exposure to full drug development lifecycle
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and collaborating across functions
• Ability to lead teams through influence without direct authority
• Strong communication skills, adapting messaging for diverse audiences
• Experience in forming and driving transformative visions and strategic plans for early-stage programs
• Background in team management and fostering a high-performance culture
• Experience engaging with early-stage/scientific stakeholders and involving them in decision-making
• Ability to anticipate and craft adaptive, resilient strategies for early-stage innovation and scenario planning

Skills

• Strategic leadership
• Program lifecycle management
• Regulatory and development planning
• Stakeholder management
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Evidence-based communication
• Change management
• Team development and performance coaching

Education

• MD preferred or PhD with strong scientific background

Additional Requirements

• Travel expectations not specified; role may be based in Basel, Switzerland or East Hanover, US