Summary
The incumbent will be accountable for delivering robust, credible, and decision-oriented forecasts across the product life cycle (early pipeline, launch, in-market, and LOE) and for translating complex market, clinical, and competitive dynamics into actionable forecast assumptions and scenarios. Working closely with cross-functional partners (e.g., Integrated Insights, Business Analytics, Competitive Intelligence, Market Access, Medical, and Primary Market Research), the role will ensure forecasting outputs are fully integrated into strategic planning, valuation, and portfolio decisions.
This role carries full people leadership responsibility for a high-performing forecasting team supporting priority Oncology brands and portfolios, with mandatory international exposure and experience leading international forecasting engagements.
About the Role
Group Lead - Forecasting
Location – Hyderabad #LI Hybrid
Major Responsibilities:
- Critical Thinking & Innovative Mindset
Apply strong critical thinking to challenge assumptions, identify biases, and ensure forecasts are robust, credible, and decision ready.
Proactively question conventional approaches and drive innovative forecasting solutions tailored to complex Oncology and international market dynamics.
Encourage hypothesis-driven thinking, scenario exploration, and thoughtful debate within the team and with senior stakeholders.
Champion innovation in forecasting methodologies, including new data sources, advanced analytics, and emerging digital or AI-enabled approaches, where appropriate.
- Strategic Forecasting Leadership
Lead end-to-end forecasting across pipeline, launch, in-market, and LOE stages for Oncology brands and portfolios, ensuring high-quality outputs that support strategic and financial decision-making.
Remain hands-on and directly contribute/execute on priority and complex forecasting projects, especially for high-impact assets, launches, or senior leadership requests.
Serve as the primary forecasting SPOC for Therapy Area teams and International Commercial stakeholders.
- Forecast Development & Integration
Guide the development of epidemiology, patient flow, uptake, share, pricing, and access assumptions using an integrated, outside-in approach.
Ensure strong integration of forecasting with competitive intelligence, primary market research, brand analytics, sales force analysis, and market access insights.
Provide functional leadership on scenario planning, sensitivities, risk assessments, and upside/downside analyses.
- Oncology & Disease Area Expertise
Bring deep Oncology forecasting expertise, including experience across complex treatment paradigms, biomarker-driven segmentation, evolving standards of care, and competitive intensity.
Support indication prioritization, launch sequencing, and portfolio optimization across franchises and geographies.
- Governance, Rigor & Best Practices
Provide guidance on key forecasting processes including IPS / Situational Analysis inputs, Unified Patient Journey, and alignment of strategic planning assumptions.
Ensure transparency, documentation of assumptions and methodologies for senior leadership and governance forums.
Drive continuous improvement in forecasting tools, processes, and ways of working
- Cross-Functional & International Collaboration
Partner with international teams across regions to ensure forecasts reflect local market realities while maintaining global consistency.
Lead and facilitate discussions in complex, matrixed, and multicultural environments.
Support international brand launches and lifecycle milestones, ensuring forecasts are aligned with performance expectations.
- People & Talent Leadership
Lead, coach, and develop a team of forecasters supporting high-priority Oncology brands, while also maintaining hands-on involvement in key project delivery.
Balance people leadership with direct ownership of complex analyses, models, and senior-level deliverables.
Drive performance management, capability building, and succession planning in collaboration with functional leaders.
Foster a culture of analytical rigor, accountability, critical thinking, and strategic problem-solving.
- Value Creation & Innovation
Demonstrate an innovative mindset by continuously rethinking forecasting approaches, tools, and assumptions to improve accuracy and strategic relevance.
Drive hypothesis-led forecasting, advanced scenario planning, and non-linear thinking to support high-stakes strategic decisions.
Contribute to the development of new forecasting services, methodologies, and best practices that elevate forecasting maturity across the organization.
Identify opportunities to expand forecasting impact across the portfolio and customer footprint through creative problem-solving and value-focused insights.
Contribute to the development of new forecasting services, advanced analytics, and innovative approaches to enhance decision support.
Minimum Requirements:
Education
- Master’s degree in science, Medicine, Business, or related field is essential.
Experience & Skills
- 15 years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical forecasting, commercial analytics, or strategic consulting.
- Mandatory experience leading Oncology forecasting teams across international markets.
- Strong international experience, including direct engagement with global and regional stakeholders.
- Deep understanding of forecasting methodologies, assumptions development, and scenario planning.
- Proven ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for senior leadership.
- Superior analytical skills with high proficiency in Excel and forecasting / visualization tools.
- Fluency in English with strong written and verbal communication skills.
Desirable Requirements
- Project management excellence in leading international, cross-functional teams in a highly matrixed environment.
- Demonstrated people leadership experience, with the ability to manage multiple teams and projects simultaneously.
- Exposure to portfolio valuation, BD&L support, and strategic planning is an advantage.
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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.
