Director, Data Strategy & Data Products

Job Description Summary

#LI-Hybrid

Location:

San Diego, CA

This role is based in San Diego, CA. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role. Please only apply if this location is accessible for you.

At Novartis, we are reimagining medicine by building the trusted data foundations, governance, and data products that enable better decisions across the enterprise. As Director, Data Strategy & Data Products, you will lead strategic initiatives that strengthen how data is defined, governed, connected, accessed, and used across complex business and scientific environments. This role is ideal for a senior data leader who can translate enterprise priorities into practical data strategies, scalable data solutions, and high-value data products that improve decision making, operational effectiveness, and long-term organizational capability.

• Lead the strategy, design, and execution of enterprise data initiatives focused on foundational data solutions, data governance, data quality, data management, and data product development.
• Partner with senior stakeholders across scientific, technology, and operational functions to identify critical data needs and translate them into clear data strategies, roadmaps, and delivery priorities.
• Define and scale data products that enable reliable, reusable, and well-governed access to priority scientific data assets across teams and functions.
• Establish and strengthen data governance frameworks, including data ownership, stewardship, metadata standards, data quality expectations, access principles, and lifecycle management practices.
• Drive alignment across scientific and technical teams to ensure data solutions are strategically relevant, operationally sustainable, and designed for measurable business impact.
• Provide thought leadership on data strategy, data architecture principles, data operating models, and enterprise data management practices.
• Lead cross-functional scientific data programs from concept through adoption, ensuring clear scope, stakeholder alignment, delivery accountability, and effective change management.
• Identify opportunities to improve data usability, interoperability, quality, and consistency across business processes, platforms, and analytical workflows.
• Build and mentor high-performing teams and scientific communities of practice focused on data strategy, governance, data product management, and data-enabled transformation.
• Ensure data initiatives are delivered in accordance with applicable Novartis standards for quality, ethics, privacy, information security, data governance, health, safety, and environmental requirements.

• Advanced degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Information Management, Life Sciences, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in data strategy, data management, data governance, data architecture, data product management, analytics strategy, or related enterprise data leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale, cross-functional data initiatives within complex global organizations.
• Strong understanding of foundational data capabilities, including data governance, master data management, metadata management, data quality, data lineage, data stewardship, and data lifecycle management.
• Experience establishing data strategy, roadmaps, operating models, and governance practices that support enterprise priorities and enable scalable data use.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders, align diverse teams, and translate complex data challenges into clear decisions, priorities, and implementation plans.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and change leadership skills, with the ability to operate effectively across business, technology, scientific, and operational functions.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing teams or communities focused on data management, governance, analytics, or data product delivery.

• Experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare, life sciences, or other highly regulated industry.
• Experience developing or scaling data products, enterprise data platforms, or data governance capabilities that support analytics, automation, or AI-enabled use cases.

The salary for this position is expected to range between $194,600 and $361,400 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, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.

US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition,…