Associate Director External Partner Mgmt

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead a cross-functional matrix team of EPM experts and represent GDPD in Novartis EPM networks.
• Translate TRD’s EPM strategy into actionable guidance for GDPD, enabling effective third-party partnerships.
• Develop, implement, and refine GDPD’s Make/Buy strategy in alignment with TRD and TechOps.
• Identify synergies and provide expert advice on sourcing models across diverse projects and technologies.
• Define and implement governance frameworks for outsourced work, safeguarding scope, quality, timelines, and budget.
• Maintain strong interfaces with Quality, Procurement, and TechOps to support seamless execution.
• Identify, establish, and nurture strategic partnerships, fostering best-in-class collaboration.
• Define KPIs and track outsourcing effectiveness in collaboration with Procurement.
• Proactively assess and mitigate vendor risks to ensure consistent delivery, quality, and compliance.
• Lead escalation and resolution of issues, coordinating cross-functionally to maintain uninterrupted execution.
• Lead direct reports and a cross-functional matrix team of EPM experts and represent GDPD in Novartis EPM networks.
• Translate TRD’s EPM strategy into actionable guidance for GDPD, enabling effective outsourcing and third-party partnerships. Develop, implement, and refine GDPD’s Make/Buy strategy in alignment with TRD and TechOps. Identify synergies and provide expert advice on sourcing models across diverse projects and technologies.
• Third Party Mgmt governance: Define and implement governance frameworks for outsourced work, safeguarding scope, quality, timelines, and budget. Maintain strong interfaces with Quality, Procurement, and TechOps to support seamless execution.
• Third Party Mgmt: Identify, establish, and nurture strategic partnerships, fostering best-in-class collaboration. Ensure and track compliance of External Parties together with partner functions. Drive integration of new partners as part of business development. Proactively assess and mitigate vendor risks to ensure consistent delivery, quality, and compliance. Support off-the-shelf supplies for early development as needed (e.g. from small companies). Define KPIs and track outsourcing effectiveness in collaboration with Procurement. Lead escalation and resolution of issues, coordinating cross-functionally to maintain uninterrupted execution.
• EPM Compliance and Training: Ensure activities related to External Party Management within GDPD are inline with Novartis quality standards and relevant regulatory requirements. Lead training and development of personnel on skills and capabilities required for External Partner Management. Support definition of training requirements. Author and participate in the creation and maintenance of EPM related procedures.
• Initiate / drive / support EPM related efficiency gains, e.g. automation of processes.
• Support internal and external audits on EPM related matters.

Essential Requirements:

• Advanced degree in a life science or related field.
• Over 10 years’ experience in pharma/biotech, with significant knowledge of drug, device, packaging, and combination product development.
• Demonstrated experience in Third Party or External Supply Management.
• Proven leadership in matrix or line functions, with strong cross-functional interface and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluent English (oral and written); German language skills are an advantage.
• Strong stakeholder management and customer focus, with the ability to coordinate multiple tasks, prioritize, and deliver to tight timelines; excellent communication and presentation skills.

You’ll receive:

You can find everything you need to know about our benefits and rewards in the Novartis Life Handbook. https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards

In addition to a market-competitive base salary, we offer an attractive incentive program, a modern company pension scheme, childcare facilities, learning and development opportunities as well as worldwide career possibilities within the Novartis group. In accordance with Austrian law, we are obliged to disclose the minimum salary as stated in the collective bargaining agreement. For this position the minimum salary is € 78,383.90  a year (on a full-time basis). The actual salary will be significantly higher, as we strive to maintain a competitive position in the market and consider your previous experience, qualifications and individual competencies.

Benefits & Rewards

At Novartis, we’re committed to reimagining medicine together - and rewarding the people who make it happen.

Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: € 88,300 to € 164,100

The base salary offered is determined based on gender-neutral objectives, such as relevant skills, competencies and experience in accordance with the Novartis pay setting policy and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically.

In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters.

The rewards of being part of our team go far beyond base pay and incentives. We also offer a variety of competitive benefits in kind to help you thrive personally and professionally, such as insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources and global recognition programs. In addition, we provide flexible and hybrid working options, where possible, and minimum 14 weeks paid parental leave.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive working environment and diverse teams, representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Adjustments for Applicants with Disabilities

If because of a medical condition, physical disability or a neurodiverse condition you require an adjustment during the recruitment process, please reach out to disabilities.austria@novartis.com and let us know the nature of your request as well as your contact information. The support which we can provide will include advice on suitable positions as well as guidance at all stages of the application process. Austrian law provides candidates the opportunity to involve the local disability representative, Behindertenvertrauensperson (BVP), in the application process. If you would like to request this, please let us know in advance as a note on your CV.