Summary
The Associate Director will lead the scoping and delivery of priority programs and initiatives to empower the international Business Unit to achieve commercial and operational excellence. The execution-focused role will solve complex business challenges and deliver outcomes for International. This role will drive value for International through scoping, shaping, leading and delivering Process Excellence oriented projects. The project work is likely to include defining problem statements, mapping processes, identifying improvements, designing and deploying solutions and sustaining and measuring improvements.
The Associate Director will bring a strong track record of delivering large global programs and initiatives, preferably in a commercial and pharma setting. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact, at scale, across the international Business Unit.
About the Role
Key Responsibilities:
- Support the scoping and design of priority programs and key initiatives within the broader BSI Consulting and Program Management portfolio.
- Lead cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact programs aligned with international business priorities, driving commercial growth and operational excellence.
- Drive Process Excellence initiatives using Lean Six Sigma, digital technologies, data management, and domain expertise to improve efficiency and effectiveness of business processes.
- Collaborate with cross-functional and global stakeholders to scope, design, and execute priority programs, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
- Act as a champion for AI/GenAI adoption, identifying opportunities to leverage advanced tools and technologies across programs and projects.
- Contribute to capability building initiatives, strengthening expertise in functional/commercial domains, Lean Six Sigma, and core consulting & program management capabilities.
- Proactively manage and strengthen stakeholder relationships across international markets, ensuring delivery aligned with BSI’s “gold standard” of excellence and innovation.
- Coach and mentor Senior Consultants and Consultants, fostering a culture of collaboration, learning, and continuous improvement.
- Role model Novartis values — Inspired, Curious, Unbossed, and Integrity-driven — while promoting a “One Team, Shared Impact” mindset.
Essential Requirements
- Extensive experience managing end-to-end project lifecycles, including planning and execution of complex programs, preferably within commercial and/or pharmaceutical environments.
- 10+ years of experience in Process Excellence, ideally within pharmaceutical, life sciences, or healthcare industries, with exposure to consulting and/or program management.
- Proven ability to operate in a consulting-led, matrixed, and global environment, engaging and influencing diverse stakeholders.
- Demonstrated success in applying consulting methodologies and tools, including the use of AI/GenAI to solve complex business challenges.
- Bachelor’s degree (minimum), preferably in Science, Engineering, Business Administration, or Economics.
Desirable Requirements
- Master’s degree in a relevant business-related discipline.
- Additional certifications such as Lean Six Sigma (Black Belt/Master Black Belt), Agile, Change Management, Enterprise Communications, Project Management, Product Management, Facilitation/Coaching, Design Thinking, or ITIL are highly preferred.
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.
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: Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards
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)
Accessibility and accommodation
Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.
