REQ-10087205
set 03, 2026
India

Summary

-Accountable for managing all Data Mgmt / CDDRA deliverables for one or more assigned projects. Direct, oversee and coordinate all activities, deliverables and manage optimal use of resources within respective group or disease area. This is a key leader position ensuring that pharmaceutical drug-development plans in Novartis Global Drug Development are executed efficiently with timely and high quality deleiverables. It is a leader role with a strong understanding of the drug development process with a track record of agile/lean process development and training strategy and delivery for end-to-end deliverables in data Mgmt and statistical programming. Follows and oversees Good Clinical Practices (GCP), data-handling procedures and guidelines, reporting and tracking relevant business measures/metrics; organizational budget Mgmt; resource Mgmt and vendor Mgmt. Work seamlessly with partner groups. Lead, contribute to and implement initiatives to establish and maintain Novartis Data Mgmt as best in class in the industry. Leads and manages the review of clinical research protocols, reports and statistical analysis plans.Lead DO in all sponsor related Audits and inspections. -Responsible for assessing and ensuring data and programming quality, process adherence, appropriate documentation, system compliance, Facilitate sharing of resources between groups inorder to meet company goals and objectives.

About the Role

Major accountabilities:

  • Lead and continuously enhance the CDO NDP governance framework, driving effective decision-making, prioritization, and alignment across CDO, GCO, GDD, and enterprise stakeholders.
  • Own the end-to-end NDP portfolio strategy and execution, ensuring initiatives are prioritized, accelerated, and deliver measurable business value and ROI.
  • Drive enterprise-wide cross-functional alignment for strategic initiatives through proactive stakeholder engagement, governance, risk management, and issue resolution.
  • Translate strategic priorities into operational plans, partnering with the Director of Operations and CDOLT to align goals, resources, and execution across sub-functions.
  • Lead governance forums and executive reviews (QRBs, PRMs, CDOLT engagements), ensuring structured decision-making, escalation of risks, and accountability for outcomes.
  • Sponsor and deliver transformation, quality, and operational excellence initiatives, including continuous improvement, inspection readiness, and capability enhancement programs.
  • Enable data-driven leadership decisions through integrated reporting, advanced analytics, KPI/OKR frameworks, dashboards, predictive insights, and business performance monitoring.
  • Lead enterprise communication and change management efforts, ensuring consistent messaging, organizational engagement, and alignment with CDO/GCO strategic priorities.
  • Oversee vendor and resource management at scale, including FSP governance, demand forecasting, capacity planning, performance management, SLA compliance, and risk mitigation.
  • Drive operational efficiency, team effectiveness, and talent development through process optimization, cost management, cross-functional collaboration, succession planning, and capability building.

Minimum Requirements

  • Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Nursing, Computer Science, or a related discipline, with strong business and operational acumen.
  • 12+ years of experience in Drug Development, including 8+ years within Clinical Data Operations or related clinical development functions, with a proven track record of leading complex, global initiatives.
  • Demonstrated expertise in stakeholder management, negotiation, and influencing, with the ability to drive alignment and outcomes across senior leaders, cross-functional teams, and external partners.
  • Strong understanding of clinical trial methodologies, GCP (Good Clinical Practice), regulatory requirements, and clinical development processes, enabling effective governance and risk management.
  • Proven leadership experience in driving transformation, operational excellence, portfolio governance, and organizational change, including the successful delivery of cross-functional strategic programs.
  • Exceptional communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to anticipate risks, operate effectively in a global matrix environment, and lead teams through complexity and change.

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)

Development
Development
India
Hyderabad (Office)
Research & Development
Full time
Regular
No

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.

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REQ-10087205

Associate Director, Data Operations

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