Director, Corporate Affairs Academy

Job Description Summary

The Director, Corporate Affairs Academy is a critical enterprise leader responsible for shaping, in partnership with the Corporate Affairs Leadership Team, the long-term capability strategy for a global Corporate Affairs function. This role defines the expertise, mindsets, and behaviors Corporate Affairs professionals need to lead in a dynamic, stakeholder-driven environment - and builds the systems, experiences, and infrastructure that embed those capabilities across the function.

As the architect and driver of the Corporate Affairs Academy - the flagship program for capability building in Corporate Affairs - this leader transforms learning into a strategic lever for performance, reputation, and talent attraction. Through innovative design, measurable outcomes, and strong cross-functional partnership, the Director ensures Corporate Affairs operates as a world‑class function equipped for the future.

• Set the long-term capability strategy for Corporate Affairs, in partnership with the Corporate Affairs Leadership Team, identifying the critical expertise, behaviors, and leadership capabilities required for the function to excel in a complex global environment.

• Build and lead the Corporate Affairs Academy as the function's flagship capability-building program, embedding learning into the operating model and ensuring development accelerates performance, readiness, and functional excellence.

• Develop and scale a portfolio of high-impact learning experiences that strengthen core Corporate Affairs disciplines, embed new capabilities across global teams, and prepare the function for future challenges and opportunities.

• Manage the digital experience, ensuring content is easily accessible and current.

• Establish and track clear success metrics for capability development, using data, assessments, and feedback to measure effectiveness, guide continuous improvement, and demonstrate strategic value to leadership.

• Curate and mobilize internal and external thought leadership to bring cutting‑edge best practices into the function and position Corporate Affairs at the forefront of the profession.

• Elevate the visibility and reputation of Corporate Affairs through capability‑building initiatives that showcase functional excellence and attract top‑tier talent.

• Partner with People & Organization and global stakeholders to align capability-building priorities with enterprise frameworks, ensuring consistency, scalability, and operational impact.

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, education or related field; advanced degree preferred
• 10+ years of experience in communications or training, preferably in the pharmaceutical industry
• Demonstrated experience setting and owning a longterm capability strategy for a complex, global function, with clear linkage to business performance and reputation outcomes
• Proven ability to define critical expertise, mindsets, and behaviors required for future success and translate them into scalable learning systems and experiences
• Strong track record designing, building and implementing an enterprise capability program
• Expertise in modern learning design, especially with a digital ecosystem
• Deep understanding of Corporate Affairs disciplines (e.g., communications, public affairs, marketing, engagement, issues management, reputation, insights, etc.), sufficient to shape relevant and credible development experiences.
• Experience establishing success metrics and impact measurement for learning and capability initiatives
• Experience leveraging AI tools within a Corporate Affairs function, as well as applying AI-enabled learning technologies to design and continuously improve the learner experience

The salary for this position is expected to range between $152,600 and $283,400 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and,…