Director Medical AI & Innovation

Job Description Summary

The Director, Medical AI & Innovation is accountable for translating key medical challenges into scalable, innovative opportunities solved by AI, including responsibility for GMA AI products throughout the product lifecycle. Solutions may range from off-the-shelf options (e.g., Copilot Studio) to co‑development of use cases endorsed in the Dev AI strategy.

This role owns and advances individual GMA AI product(s) (as needed), ensuring strategic fit and realization of business benefits. It serves as a dedicated functional partner for GMA AI use cases & products, striving to maximize value & adoption in alignment with GMA objectives and business priorities, and working closely with medical subject matter experts (SMEs).

A dynamic thought‑leader in applied artificial intelligence within the medical affairs domain, drawing on external insights and internal subject‑matter expertise in use‑case identification and translation of AI opportunities to drive significant impact for medical affairs. Responsibilities include developing and defending the business case value, delivering on commitments, simplifying and streamlining medical affairs practices in close alignment with Global Process Owners, and positioning Novartis GMA as the leading Medical Affairs organization in the industry, systematically enabled by AI.

• Translate key medical challenges into scalable, innovative opportunities solved by AI, including accountability for GMA AI products throughout the product lifecycle and co‑development of use cases endorsed in the Dev AI strategy.
• Own and advance individual GMA AI product(s), ensuring strategic fit and realization of business benefits in collaboration with the GMA Business Owners, and manage integrative planning and delivery.
• Operate as a dedicated functional partner for GMA AI use cases & products, maximizing value and adoption in alignment with GMA objectives and business priorities.
• Partner, collaborate, and actively align with medical subject‑matter experts (SMEs), GMA Business Owners, and technical counterparts (DDIT).
• Drive cross‑functional alignment with close partners such as the AI & Innovation Product Manager (SPPO, Dev AI), ensuring continual alignment between the MA AI and Dev AI product roadmaps and leveraging best practices beyond the medical affairs domain.
• Engage and partner with the AI and Innovation Lead (SPPO, Dev AI), providing medical external insights/expertise and ensuring synergy with the Dev AI CCE strategy to drive user adoption of MA AI products.
• Establish effective relationships with business stakeholders, DDIT, change‑management and enabling functions to ensure a robust operating model for the MA AI portfolio.
• Promote a collaborative and entrepreneurial culture and mindset, acting as an agent for change and engaging support for innovative ideas, methods, technologies, partnerships, and solutions to maximize value for Novartis.

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, life sciences or a related field (advanced degree such as MSc or MBA preferred or relevant business experience). Fluent English (oral and written). Minimum 8 years of working experience in technology & business solutions, digital transformation, or related fields, ideally in healthcare, drug development, or life sciences. Demonstrated experience in drug development and/or medical affairs and/or commercial experience (R‑D‑C continuum), including proven innovation & transformation at functional scale.

Proven track‑record in leading high‑performing multidisciplinary teams and diverse profiles, with the ability to conceptualize, develop, and lead change initiatives within organizations and excellent written and interpersonal communication skills.

Our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives and our vision is to become the most valued and trusted medicines company in the world. With our people, we drive toward this ambition each day.

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

Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please send an e‑mail to divers and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

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