Associate Director - Portfolio Strategy & Operations

Job Description Summary

#LI-Hybrid
Location: Cambridge, MA USA
The Associate Director, Portfolio Strategy & Operations, supports the effective strategic management and operational execution of the Therapeutic Area (TA) functions that comprise Translational Medicine Discovery & Profiling (TMDP). Reporting to the TMDP - Strategy & Planning Lead Director, this role contributes to TA strategic planning, business operations, portfolio coordination of key TAs, and delivery of key initiatives that enable the TA(s) and TA Heads to achieve their objectives. The position aligns closely with Functions, cross-functional teams, and internal stakeholders to ensure seamless operations and effective execution of strategic priorities.

 

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

•    Acts as strategic thought partner for TMDP TA Head(s), reflecting on key topics and trends across therapeutic pillars. Maintain an integrated portfolio view for the assigned TA(s), overseeing study tracking, milestone progression, and identification of risks or shifts requiring alerts
•    Provides comprehensive TA portfolio assessments in TM relevant projects including analysis of scale, speed, efficiency metrics to guide portfolio alignment with strategic objectives and delivers value efficiently
•    Continuously engage in portfolio analysis and strategy topics to bring TMDP TA strategic prospective into various portfolio reviews and prioritization across TM and different management/decision boards
•    For the responsible TA(s), lead goals tracking, portfolio analysis, bring insights, and support effective alignments among project management, DA Portfolio Strategy Development (PSD), TA Leadership (TAL)and Disease Area Decision Board (DADBs)
•    Supports TMDP TA Head(s) for coordinating essential internal processes and priority initiatives such as TA objective planning, internal TA meetings including cross-TA meetings, FTF meetings with partner groups, external reviews and collaborations, headcount planning, resource forecasting, and performance tracking of responsible TA(s)
•    Support TA Heads in internal communication across strategic meetings, presentations and updates. Coordination of TA‑level team meetings, including agenda setting, material preparation, facilitation and action follow‑up.
•    Lead operational excellence, process simplification, automation opportunities, AI enabled improvements, and coordination of cross-functional initiatives to address enterprise level challenges
•    Coordinates a strategy for KOL interactions, including oversight of logistics 
•    Contributes to organizational development activities, including change management, capability initiatives and trainings

Essential Requirements:
•    Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree MBA, MSc, PhD strongly preferred in life sciences, or related field
•    Minimum 6 years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or related industry
•    Prior experience with pharma portfolio analysis, portfolio management and strategy or portfolio operations 
•    Experience within early development, clinical development, business operations or R&D operations preferred 
•    Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
•    Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across teams and levels
•    Ability to synthesize complex information and communicate clearly
•    Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
Desirable Requirements:
•    Ability to leverage technologies and AI 
•    Proficiency with business tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Power BI, AI agents, etc.)
•    Ability to working in global matrixed organizations preferred
 

The salary for this position is expected to range between $132,300 and $245,700 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.
US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves. To learn more about the culture, rewards and benefits we offer our people click here.
 

 

EEO Statement:

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. 

 

Accessibility and reasonable accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

 

Salary Range

$132,300.00 - $245,700.00

 

Skills Desired

Analysis, Decision Making Skills, Operational Excellence, Operations, Problem Solving Skills, Reporting, Results-Oriented, Team Management, Waterfall Model