Director, Head of External Animal Activities

The Director serves as a centralized point of accountability for external animal welfare governance, partner oversight, assurance strategy, standards implementation, ethical review support, and escalation management within the scope of Novartis-sponsored external animal activities. The role shapes governance frameworks, applies risk-based oversight, conducts executive stakeholder management, and supports responsible decision-making where scientific, ethical, animal welfare, operational, regulatory, and public trust considerations must be balanced.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise oversight of Novartis-sponsored animal activities conducted through external partners and collaborators.
• Build alignment across diverse stakeholders while balancing enterprise risk and research objectives.
• Advise senior stakeholders on complex decisions involving scientific, ethical, operational, and reputational considerations.
• Champion consistent application of Novartis animal welfare expectations across all external partnerships.
• Oversee risk management, compliance activities, and assurance programs across external research partnerships.
• Shape and evolve governance frameworks supporting responsible and ethical external animal research.
• Drive due diligence, audits, issue resolution, corrective actions, and escalation processes when required.
• Ensure alignment with animal welfare standards, ethical principles, regulatory expectations, and the 3Rs.
• Support external partnerships, business development activities, and research initiatives involving animal welfare considerations.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team while influencing outcomes across a global matrix organization.

Essential Requirements

The role requires a leader who combines demonstrated experience leading governance frameworks, managing enterprise risk, overseeing external partners, influencing senior and executive stakeholders, and driving accountability across a global matrix organization with deep subject matter expertise in laboratory animal medicine and welfare.

• Significant experience leading governance programs, assurance frameworks, or risk-based oversight initiatives.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and build alignment in complex matrix environments.
• Experience overseeing external research partners, contract research organizations, or academic collaborations.
• Demonstrated success applying audits, due diligence, issue management, and continuous improvement practices.
• Veterinary degree such as Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Medical Doctor, or equivalent qualification.
• Deep expertise in laboratory animal medicine, animal welfare, and responsible research oversight.
• Strong knowledge of animal welfare regulations, ethical review principles, and the 3Rs.
• Specialized training, board certification, or equivalent advanced experience in laboratory animal medicine or animal welfare, such as Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DACLAM), and Diplomate of the European College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DECLAM) or comparable credentials.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience supporting business development, partnership due diligence, or integration activities.
• Experience leveraging digital tools, artificial intelligence-enabled solutions, or data-driven oversight approaches.
• Experience operating across multiple geographies or regulatory environments.

This is a unique opportunity to help advance consistent expectations for responsible external animal research across Novartis-sponsored external partnerships. The role sits at the intersection of animal welfare, ethical science, governance, assurance, enterprise risk, and public trust, and will influence how Novartis partners externally to enable scientifically necessary and ethically justified biomedical research.

Rewards: 

The salary for this position is expected to range between $176,400 & $237,600 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, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.

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