Global Operational Excellence, Executive Director

<b>Major responsibilities:</b>

Your responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Identify, propose, and deliver pivotal initiatives for Development as improvement projects using data as the performance baseline.
• Accountable for the faultless delivery of large-scale improvement projects that employ project management standard processes to enhance certainty of success.
• Structure ambiguous problems and take action to solve them, with clear linkage to Development principles, strategy and priorities.
• Synthesize clear takeaways from sophisticated information into outcomes and recommendations using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams, influencing without authority, to develop the best solution and move partners and the organization to act.
• Establish trust-based relationships with senior leaders and partners to better serve their organizations.
• Deploy superior communication skills to transmit information effectively to all audiences, including senior leaders, in a structured manner.
• Drive project teams and organizations to accurately improve operating model design, process simplification, data & technology enablement, and financial success, whilst ensuring quality standards and regulatory compliance.
• Proactively bring pioneering thought leadership, technology and processes with intent to bring more drugs to the patients faster.
• Maintain awareness of process improvement methodologies.
• Build a deep talent bench for Novartis by driving top-level talent acquisition, succession planning and development of associates across GDD and Divisions are working to their full potential and to build a strong talent pipeline for Novartis.  
• Strengthen OpEx by developing an One Development culture, change excellence management, fostering innovation, and building best-in-class teams that fully exploit “Drug Development” opportunities, internal systems, programs, processes and tools.

<b>Minimum requirements:</b>

What you'll bring to the role:

• Bachelor’s degree in life science and/or in business administration with 12 – 15 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical industry, life sciences / drug development or equivalent.
• Advance degree is preferred (e.g. MBA desired or equivalent)
• International and/or cross-disciplinary background; appreciation of sophisticated operating models (i.e. matrix) and shown ability to influence without direct authority.
• Sophisticated and credible at leading senior executive relationships. Consistent record of generating new partnerships that lead to successful engagements.
• Outstanding interpersonal communication skills - both verbal and written: Ability to present complex ideas effectively.
• Exceptional program/project management skills by qualification, training, and experience, and awareness of methodologies (e.g. IQP, Lean six sigma, Scrum, Agile …); able to adjust to multiple demands, shifting priorities and unexpected events while maintaining a positive work attitude
• Seasoned cross-functional leadership skills and proven ability to develop impactful teams from a diverse set of backgrounds and implement solutions for business challenges within a highly matrixed organization.
• Team-orientated and collaborative approaches; outstanding listening skills and the ability to lead through influence to optimize contributions from team members as individuals and members of a cohesive team.
• Strong analytical skills, critical thinker, and problem-solving abilities to structure ambiguous problems and take action to solve them.
• Deep understanding of drug research and development process; expertise in improvement methodologies. Certified Agile/ Scrum/ Lean six sigma or blackbelt is preferred.
• Willingness to travel.