Head of Strategy and Operations for TA Strategy

Job Description Summary

As a key member of the Therapeutic Area (TA) Strategy Team, the Head of Strategy and Operations will be instrumental in leading strategic initiatives for the group. This leader will also be responsible for running the TA Strategy Leadership meetings, coordinating priorities both within the TA Strategy Team and across key interfaces within the broader Strategy & Growth Team and with our key partners in Commercial (US/International) and R&D. This role will be critical in shaping effective ‘ways of working’ for the TAS and TAL teams and serve as a thought-partner to the Enterprise TA Strategy Head.
This role can be located in Cambridge, MA, East Hanover, NJ or Basel Switzerland. If applying in Europe please refer to REQ-10050638.
LI-#hybrid

 

Job Description

Major accountabilities:

Drive strategic projects

• Define, communicate, monitor and progress TA Strategy strategic processes in a timely fashion. Ensure that the outputs are of a high quality (within and across TAs). Responsible for collating the documents across TAs and curating above TA executive summaries eg
  • Commercial Input Documents (CIDs)
  • 6–15-year Strategy Documents
  • Quarterly pipeline tracking documents

• Lead cross- TA strategic projects. Define and set up appropriate sub-teams to deliver these projects. Accountable for setting clear requirements and for creating, forming, and leading cross functional project teams to solve complex problems
• Champion unbiased, factual delivery of projects.
• Drive objective-setting and execution of the projects with the goal to optimize efficiencies and use of resources.

Shape and implement team initiatives and team effectiveness

• Responsible for running the TA Strategy LT, including setting the agendas, minutes and effective follow up of action items.

• Own and manage key meetings including the TA Strategy community catch-ups and offsite team meetings.

• Manage effective TA Strategy communications.
• Lead ‘ways of working’ projects to improve collaboration within TA strategy and with key stakeholders in Strategy& Growth and key partners in Commercial, R&D.
• Support Therapeutic Area Leadership team effectiveness (TALs). TALs require ongoing championing and support to ensure they are elevated through activities such as:
  • Diagnostics: identifying issues and signs that there is room for greater effectiveness
  • Ensuring all potential mechanisms of support – including  harnessing top leadership involvement both behind-the-scenes and in dialogue with the TALs
  • Identifying areas for more consistency and best practice
  • Identifying the need for and implementing change, communication and coaching support as required
  • Staying aligned with, and contributing to, best practices across Novartis for other Networked Teams

Stakeholder communications/Governance and Decision making

• Support the Enterprise Therapeutic Area Strategy Head (eTASH) in preparation for governance presentations and decisions. Ensure appropriate items are flagged and that action items from governance meetings are effectively implemented by the TA Strategy teams in a timely manner
• Support awareness and change management efforts within the TA Strategy to facilitate implementation of our strategy. Help establish connectivity and relationships between key stakeholder groups to support strategy execution

Minimum Requirements:

• PhD/master’s degree in science or related field
• 10+ years of relevant experience in/ with Pharma, preferably in consulting, equity investment or new product planning
• Experience in developing strategy and demonstrated strategic thinking mindset paired with operational mindset to translate strategy into action.
• Able to see a complex projects from a "big picture"/strategic level; able to communicate a clear vision for the project and able to set direction for the team; able to translate strategy into concrete actions with diverse teams. Drives value delivery and scaling of initiatives
• Proven record of high performance and substantial achievements in your past positions
• Demonstrated leadership ability, able to lead without formal authority in a global, cross/functional setting with many different stakeholders
• Ability to collaborate effectively with people at all levels in an organization
• Skills to communicate complex ideas effectively
• Excellent project management / coordination skills, experience at driving global cross-functional projects
• A curious mindset eager to leverage latest advances in technology and data science methods to improve drug discovery and development
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, analytical thinker
• A proactive self-starting personality with a can-do attitude
• Initiative taker, eager to break new ground, curious, willing to create opportunities for others
• Strong Team player, fun to work with
• Ability to prioritize, juggle competing needs and work under pressure
• Working experience in a global team desirable / cross-cultural working experience.

Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Join our Novartis Network: Not the right Novartis role for you? Sign up to our talent community to stay connected and learn about suitable career opportunities as soon as they come up: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network

Benefits and Rewards: Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards

Novartis Compensation and Benefit Summary: The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $225,400.00 - $418,600.00 USD per year; however, while salary ranges are effective from 1/1/25 through 12/31/25, fluctuations in the job market may necessitate adjustments to pay ranges during this period.  Further, final pay determinations will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to geographical location, experience level, knowledge, skills, and abilities. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a sign-on bonus, restricted stock units, and discretionary awards in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

 

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

$225,400.00 - $418,600.00

 

Skills Desired

Agile (Programming Methodology), Building Construction, Business Development, Business Strategy, Collaboration, Curiosity, Data Analytics, Decision Making Skills, Finance, Go-To-Market Strategy, Influencing Skills, Leadership, Operations, Oscilloscope, Pipeline (Software), Prioritization, Strategic Partnerships, Strategic Planning