Director, Strategic Projects Lead

Location

Basel, Switzerland

The Executive Director, Strategic Projects Lead is a cross‑disciplinary thinker with an entrepreneurial mindset and an uncompromising drive to transform drug development and improve patient lives. He or she will be a proven project leader who can drive high‑performing cross‑functional teams, engage with senior leadership, and challenge the status quo through novel thinking to deliver measurable organizational impact.

• Identify, propose, and deliver strategic and operational imperatives for Development as cross‑functional strategic projects using data as the performance baseline.
• Be accountable for the faultless, independent delivery of large‑scale strategic projects that employ project‑management best practices to enhance certainty of success (e.g., scope, time, cost, resources, communication plans, impact measures).
• Structure ambiguous problems and take action to solve them, with clear linkage to Development objectives, strategy and priorities.
• Synthesize clear takeaways from complex information into outcomes and recommendations using both qualitative and quantitative methods (e.g., external benchmarks, internal metrics, process performance analyses).
• Lead cross‑functional teams, influencing without authority, to develop the best solution and move stakeholders and the organization to act.
• Establish trust‑based relationships with leaders and stakeholders to better serve their organizations.
• Deploy excellent verbal and written communication skills to transmit information effectively to all audiences, including senior leaders, in a structured manner.
• Drive project teams and organizations to comprehensively improve operating‑model design, process simplification, data & technology enablement, and financial success, whilst ensuring quality standards and regulatory compliance.
• Model exceptional company values and behaviours, embracing high‑challenge conversations to drive change (ethics, collaboration, humility).
• Maintain awareness of process‑improvement methodologies and best practices (e.g., IQP, lean six sigma, Scrum, Agile).

• Ideally a 3rd‑level degree in Life Sciences or Life Science Engineering; further qualification such as an MBA is advantageous.
• Minimum of 10–12 years of experience in research & development strategic consulting and/or a line function in development.
• Corporate/development experience in complex project management.
• Experience in Drug Discovery and Drug Development, with in‑depth knowledge of the drug‑discovery lifecycle and R&D functions.
• Proven track‑record managing complex, cross‑functional projects with senior stakeholder engagement.

Novartis is committed to working with all individuals and providing reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process or essential functions of a position. If you need an accommodation, please e‑mail divers and include the job requisition number.

Expected annual base salary range: CHF  – , based on gender‑neutral objectives such as relevant skills, competencies and experience. In addition to the base salary, you may be eligible for a performance‑based bonus and long‑term equity awards at group level. Benefits include insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources, global recognition programs, flexible and hybrid working options, and a minimum of 14 weeks paid parental leave.

Pay equity is a fundamental principle of our employment policy and reflects our commitment to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment.

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.