Project managers form close partnerships with project team leaders, working collaboratively to build and maintain high-performing and impactful global cross-functional teams, collaborating effectively with stakeholders, project leaders, and team members, and driving the creation and execution of integrated strategic and operational plans for drug candidates within the Oncology portfolio.

The key accountabilities for the Associate Director, Global Program Management, Oncology are as follows:

• Lead project teams with respect to the timing, scenario/options development, risk analyses and mitigation plans, opportunities / challenges, and requirements of interfacing with Decision Boards.
• Partner with project team leaders and functional leaders to define project strategy in alignment with DA goals, develop and maintain integrated project plans and associated budget through IND-enabling studies, and manage diverse teams across multiple sites to meet project timelines/goals.
• Continuously adapt project strategy based on internal and external information. Assure continuous consistency of the operational plan with project strategy, ensure that key milestones and go / no go criteria are data driven and clearly defined. Prepare and review project documentation to enable Biomedical Research portfolio decisions align to Novartis strategy.
• Use drug discovery and development expertise (especially preclinical and early clinical development) to drive high performing teams and to integrate knowledge of all line functions for project.

• Manage and communicate project status, issues and options for resolution to ensure optimal and timely information flow to all stakeholders.
• Foster effective, proactive and open communication within and across project teams, build trust among team members to achieve transparency and clarity of program goals, progress and issues.
• Owns quality of project information and make sure project information is accurate and included in the system(s) in a timely manner.
• Organize and chair project team meetings, issue high quality agenda and meeting minutes in a timely fashion.
• Establish mutual respect and trust in the program team.
• Contribute to the functional excellence of program management through improvement in processes, procedures, and tools related to program management practices.

Additional accountabilities include, but are not limited to:

• Mentoring other program managers within and across Biomedical Research to strengthen internal talent, sharing program management takeaways across other DAs
• Leading and/or contributing to Biomedical Research GPM initiatives

What you will bring to the role

Education:

• Doctorate in life sciences or chemistry OR equivalent experience in life science or chemistry.
• PMP certification (or similar) preferred but not necessary.

Languages:

• Excellent communication in English required (written and spoken); other language(s) are an additional asset.

Experience:

• 5+years in pharmaceutical industry experience with ability to lead /run drug discovery projects, ideally with LMW and/or peptide molecules.
• Knowledge of the drug development process (Research & Development).
• Previous track record of success working with and managing international and multidisciplinary drug development teams.
• Excellent organizational skills with demonstrated ability to multi-task and prioritize
• Exceptional oral/written communication skills allowing successful interactions with all levels of the organization globally

Accessibility and accommodation
Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to inclusion.switzerland@novartis.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.