Strategy Director, Clinical Development

The purpose of the Strategy Director Clinical Development will be to support the crafting and execution of portfolio strategy and clinical program/functional excellence by actively partnering with the Head of Portfolio Strategy and Operations, Clinical Development Functional Heads, Head of Clinical Workforce Insights, Head of Program Capability and Quality, Head of Advanced Methods and Centers of Excellence, and Head of Data Design and Clinical Innovation. The Strategy Director may deputize for Head of Portfolio Strategy and Operations within Clinical Development and with a wide range of cross-functional teams.

What you will be doing:

• Undertake diagnostics, study and analysis as required, suggest recommendations and drive resultant actions as approved.
• Continuously looks for new and better ways to deliver Clinical Development (CD) agenda.
• Prepares content for pivotal initiatives on behalf of the Head of Clinical Development/Head Portfolio Strategy & Operations.
• Support the streamlining and provide governance co-leadership for the Head Portfolio Strategy and Operations CD, ensuring consistent messaging across various governance forums (DevLT, CD LT).
• Support the build of the CD organization, creating and tracking meticulous and quantifiable objectives and communications; to support CD embedding best in class approaches to clinical development while growing deep therapeutic expertise.
• Lead on the benchmarking of CD activities at Novartis vs. peers
• Helps shape, influence and lead on functional strategy related activities and requests e.g., cross functional activities such as SRC governance with Global Medical Affairs, new initiatives to strengthen Development and CD, requests from Strategy Program Portfolio Operations.
• Represents the Head of Portfolio Strategy and Operations with cross-functional teams and within Clinical Development where needed.
• Supports the annual Clinical Development Strategy Review and objectives setting in collaboration with the CD Head, Clinical Development Heads and CD functional heads.
• Helps maintain updated CD program and above program reviews for, e.g., IMB, DevLT partnering closely with functional leaders.
• Ensure connectivity with global line functions to establish CD leadership amongst related functional teams, to ensure objectives are met, as mandated by DevLT/IMB. For example, work with Methods Head to establish IEP review process, work with Program Excellence & Capability Head to establish and embed Integrated Data Review, work with Data Design & Clinical Innovation head to help establish protocol AI.
• Supports the Head of Portfolio Strategy & Operations, to establish relationships and reinforce CD as single point leader for clinical programs, including Global Clinical Operations, Analytics, and Global Medical Affairs.
• Provides analytic insights into potential S&G, M&A and BD&L initiatives to evaluate from clinical perspective new opportunities
• Responsible for effective internal and external communication co-ordination on initiatives led by CD that warrant white papers or other external communication, e.g. updates to DevLT, IMB, Leadership forums.
• Navigates complexity and drives effectiveness across the function and in collaboration with other functions in Novartis
• Work closely with Head of Operational Excellence, Clinical Development Function Heads, head of Clinical Workforce Insights, Head of Capabilities, Engagement Lead.

What you will bring to the role:

• Master degree or equivalent advanced degree or equivalent education/degree in life science/healthcare preferred (MD, PhD)
• ≥5 years people and matrix management required. Global people management experience desirable.
• Strong relationship builder and communicator with experience leading diverse work teams, driving program excellence, engaging functional partners
• Previous work and leadership in international and multidisciplinary drug development teams
• Strong knowledge of drug development strategy, Novartis experience in this area is preferred.
• Strong planning and project management skills
• Organizational awareness, including meaningful experience working cross-functionally and in global teams.
• Strong written & verbal communication coupled with excellent problem-solving, negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong communication skills with excellence understanding of presentation tools
• Experience in Consulting/Banking (Healthcare focus) preferred.