First Line Manager

BE03 (FCRS = BE003) Novartis Pharma nv-sa; Diegem; Hybrid; EUR 71,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working options

Company vehicle or car allowance

Retirement plans

Wellbeing resources

Insurance plans

Parental leave

Job summary

Novartis seeks a First Line Manager, Oncology to lead a high-performing field force across Breast Cancer and Hematology, delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving growth. You will coach the team, execute area business plans, and ensure compliant, impactful patient engagement across multiple channels.

The role requires proven pharma leadership, excellence in coaching, and strong strategic planning with collaboration across Medical, Value & Access, and Commercial teams.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience within pharma or healthcare.
• Strong track record delivering commercial results and leading teams.
• Experience in oncology/hematology or hospital environments preferred.
• Ability to develop business plans and translate strategy into execution.
• Coaching, stakeholder management and strong communication skills.
• Bachelor's degree; advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a sales team to hit objectives across Breast Cancer and Hematology.
• Develop area business plans aligned with national priorities and brand objectives.
• Foster high performance through coaching, feedback, and talent management.
• Drive execution with the right customer engagement, content, and messaging.
• Use insights to optimize territory performance and opportunities.
• Collaborate with Medical, Value & Access, and Sales functions to maximize outcomes.
• Identify barriers in the patient journey and work with stakeholders to improve access.
• Manage resources and operating budgets while ensuring compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial acumen

Oncology/hematology knowledge

Coaching

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Data-driven decision making

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

CRM software

Analytics tools

Job description

Salary Range: €71,300.00 - €132,500.00

Job Description Summary

At Novartis, our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people's lives. As a First Line Manager, Oncology you will lead a high-performing field force team responsible for delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving sustainable growth across our Breast Cancer and Hematology portfolio. This leadership role combines strategic account management, people leadership, cross-functional orchestration, and execution excellence. You will play a critical role in bringing innovative medicines to patients by ensuring commercial success, fostering customer partnerships, and developing a highly engaged and capable team.

Job Description Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Sales Representatives to achieve sales, market share, productivity, and performance objectives across the Breast Cancer and Hematology portfolio.
• Develop and execute area business plans aligned with national strategic priorities and brand objectives.
• Build a culture of high performance through ongoing coaching, capability development, feedback, and talent management.
• Drive excellence in execution by ensuring the right customer engagement, content, channel, timing, and messaging across customer interactions.
• Utilize customer and market insights to optimize territory performance, prioritize opportunities, and enhance customer impact.
• Foster deep understanding of disease areas and products while ensuring field team capability development.
• Lead strategic account engagement and support the development and execution of cross-functional account plans.
• Collaborate closely with Medical, Value & Access, Patient Engagement, Key Account Management, and Customer Success teams to maximize customer and patient outcomes.
• Identify barriers throughout the patient journey and work with internal and external stakeholders to improve diagnosis, treatment access, and quality of care.
• Manage resources and operating budgets effectively to ensure optimal return on investment.
• Maintain high standards of compliance and ensure adherence to all company policies, procedures, and ethical standards.
• Ensure timely reporting of adverse events, technical complaints, and other product-related information in accordance with Novartis policies.

Essential Requirements

• Proven leadership experience within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare, or related industry.
• Strong track record of delivering commercial results and leading high-performing teams.
• Experience in oncology, hematology, specialty care, or hospital-based environments preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to develop business plans and translate strategy into execution.
• Strong coaching, people development, and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent communication and influencing capabilities across a complex matrix organization.
• Experience utilizing data, analytics, and customer insights to drive decision making.
• Ability to lead through change and navigate a dynamic healthcare environment.
• Strong understanding of healthcare systems, customer engagement, and account management principles.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.

Why Novartis?

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives drive innovation and where associates are empowered to make a meaningful impact on patients' lives. Join us and help transform the future of medicine while developing your career in a truly global organization.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

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

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: 71,300.00 - 101,900.00 - 132,500.00 EUR Annual 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. You may be eligible for a company vehicle or a car allowance in accordance with the applicable local Novartis policies and guidelines. Pay equity is a fundamental principle of our employment policy and reflects our commitment to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment that treats all employees with dignity and respect, as outlined in our Code of Ethics. Read our brochure to learn more about our global total rewards offering: https://www.novartis.com/sites/novartis_com/files/novartis-life-handbook.pdf

Skills Desired

Change Management, Coaching, Collaboration, Commercial Excellence, Complexity Management, Leadership, Mentorship, Professional Ethics

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.