Medical Head, Governance, Evidence & Operations

AU04 (FCRS = AU004) Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd; North Sydney; On-site; AUD 250,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd seeks a dynamic Medical Head, Governance, Evidence and Operations to join the Medical Leadership Team in North Sydney. This role leads governance, evidence generation, and operational medical activities, shaping medical strategy and ensuring compliant, patient-focused execution.

The position requires experience in medical affairs or governance, strong leadership, and the ability to work across cross-functional teams, with a growth mindset and

Qualifications

• Experience in Medical Affairs or medical governance.
• Proven ability to translate strategy into operational plans.
• Strong ethics, governance, and compliance fundamentals.

Responsibilities

• Lead governance, evidence generation, and medical operations within the Medical Leadership Team.
• Develop and execute operational medical plans aligned with franchise strategies.
• Collaborate with Medical, Commercial, Global, and cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and execution.
• Coach and develop team members; foster growth and high performance.
• Model company values and a culture of collaboration, curiosity, accountability and continuous improvement.

Skills

Medical Leadership

Governance

Evidence Generation

Medical Operations

Stakeholder Management

Strategic Thinking

Communication

Team Coaching

Cross-functional Collaboration

Regulatory Compliance

Job description

Job Description Summary

We are seeking a dynamic and collaborative Medical Head, Governance, Evidence and Operations to join our Medical Leadership Team in North Sydney. This is a unique opportunity for an emerging or established medical leader who is looking to broaden their experience across medical governance, evidence generation, operations, and leadership. The role would suit someone with aspirations to progress into a broader Medical Head role, or someone earlier in their leadership journey who is motivated to build rounded experience across the medical function. As part of the Medical Leadership Team, you will report to the Chief Medical Officer and work closely with senior leaders across Medical, Commercial, Global, and cross-functional teams. We are looking for someone who brings energy, curiosity, a growth mindset, and a passion for enabling medical excellence. In this role, you will lead the Medical Governance, Evidence and Operations agenda, ensuring the function operates with strong scientific standards, robust governance, operational discipline, and cross-functional collaboration. You will help shape and execute the medical strategy through an operational medical plan, while supporting teams to deliver impactful, compliant, and patient-focused medical activities.

Job Description

Lead and contribute as a member of the country Medical Leadership Team, helping to shape the medical strategy in alignment with business and patient priorities. Develop and execute operational medical plans that support the broader medical and franchise strategies. Lead cross-functional collaboration across Medical, Commercial, Global, and other key internal teams to ensure strong alignment and effective execution. Provide leadership across governance, evidence generation, medical operations, and medical excellence activities. Partner with senior leaders and external stakeholders to support medical product plans, clinical development, scientific communications, and medical expert engagement. Maintain and strengthen standards of medical and scientific excellence across the function. Coach, support, and develop team members, creating opportunities for growth, capability building, and strong performance. Role model company values, behaviours, and a culture of collaboration, curiosity, accountability, and continuous improvement.

What You’ll Bring

We are looking for someone who is motivated by impact, collaboration, and growth. You may already be in a medical leadership role, or you may be an emerging leader ready to take the next step. Experience in Medical Affairs, medical governance, evidence generation, medical operations, or a related medical leadership role. Strong scientific and medical acumen, with the ability to translate strategy into operational plans. A collaborative leadership style and the ability to influence across functions and senior stakeholder groups. A growth mindset, high energy, and a genuine interest in developing yourself and others. Strong understanding of compliance, ethics, governance, and medical excellence standards. Experience coaching, developing, or leading teams, or a strong aspiration to build leadership capability. The ability to work effectively in a matrix environment across country, regional, and global teams. Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and strategic thinking skills.

Why Join Us?

This role offers the opportunity to broaden your leadership experience across some of the most critical areas of Medical Affairs, including governance, evidence, operations, and strategic execution. You will be part of a collaborative Medical Leadership Team that is focused on leading with purpose, developing talent, and delivering meaningful outcomes for patients, healthcare professionals, and the healthcare system.

Skills Desired

• Change Agility
• Change Agility
• Clinical Protocols
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Data Analysis
• Drug Development
• Employee Development
• Evidence Generation
• Graduate Medical Education (GME)
• Healthcare Industry
• Health Sciences
• Influencing Skills
• Innovation
• Inspirational Leadership
• Medical Affairs
• Medical Communications
• Patient Care
• People Management
• Pharmaceutics
• Product Launches
• Product Strategies
• Real World Evidence (RWE)
• Regulatory Compliance
• Research Methodologies
• Results-Oriented {+ 3 more}

Improving the lives of people living with disease takes more than innovative science. It takes a focus on the needs of people and a community committed to meeting them. It takes a team of people like you. Working together. Learning together. Thriving together. Discover how you can join us in changing people’s lives.