Summary
Location: Basel, Switzerland
This role is based in Basel, Switzerland. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role. Please only apply if this location is accessible for you.
Are you ready to shape the quality strategy behind some of the world's most innovative medicines? As Global Head CQA Development Unit, you will play a pivotal leadership role at the intersection of clinical development, patient safety, and regulatory excellence. Leading a global team of Clinical Quality professionals, you will drive strategic quality oversight across complex development programs, enabling quality-by-design approaches that accelerate innovation while safeguarding compliance, data integrity, and patient well-being. This is a unique opportunity to influence critical business decisions, partner with senior leaders across Novartis, and help bring transformative treatments to patients worldwide.
About the Role
Key responsibilities:
- Lead and develop a global team of Clinical Quality Program Leads, fostering a high-performance quality culture.
- Define and execute the quality strategy for assigned Development Units, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
- Provide strategic quality oversight across clinical development programs to support regulatory success and patient safety.
- Partner with senior stakeholders to identify, mitigate, and escalate quality risks across global studies.
- Champion inspection readiness and lead quality support for regulatory inspections, audits, and remediation activities.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen compliance, operational excellence, and quality-by-design principles.
- Influence organizational quality mindset by embedding proactive risk management and quality governance practices.
Essential Requirements:
- Advanced degree in Life Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, or a related scientific discipline.
- Extensive experience in clinical development, quality assurance, pharmacovigilance, or regulated healthcare environments.
- Proven leadership experience building, developing, and leading global teams within a complex matrix organization.
- Deep understanding of end-to-end clinical trial processes and global regulatory requirements for clinical research.
- Demonstrated success managing high-complexity programs and influencing senior stakeholders across functions.
- Strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills with the ability to drive collaboration globally.
Benefits & Rewards
At Novartis, we’re committed to reimagining medicine together - and rewarding the people who make it happen.
Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: 133,700.00 - 248,300.00 CHF
The base salary offered is determined based on gender-neutral objectives, such as relevant skills, competencies and experience in accordance with the Novartis pay setting policy and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically.
In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters.
The rewards of being part of our team go far beyond base pay and incentives. We also offer a variety of competitive benefits in kind to help you thrive personally and professionally, such as insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources and global recognition programs. In addition, we provide flexible and hybrid working options, where possible, and minimum 14 weeks paid parental leave.
In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters. Long-term equity awards granted at group level may also be part of your package. Further details will be provided during the application process.
Read our brochure to learn more about our global total rewards offering:
https://www.novartis.com/sites/novartis_com/files/novartis-life-handbook.pdf
Note: Benefits and compensation may vary by country and are subject to local legal requirements, including provisions of collective bargaining agreements where applicable. A full overview of your compensation package, including any relevant collective bargaining agreement details applicable to your role based on your employment location and Novartis employer entity, will be communicated separately to you during the application process.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion / EEO paragraph
Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams’ representative of the patients and communities we serve.
Accessibility and Accommodation
Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to diversity.inclusion_ch@novartis.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.
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
Benefits and Rewards: Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.
Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)
