First Line Manager

Novartis AG; Machelen; On-site; EUR 71,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

Insurance plans

Retirement plans

Wellbeing resources

Global recognition programs

Flexible and hybrid working options

Minimum 14 weeks paid parental leave

Company car or car allowance

Job summary

Novartis AG in Belgium seeks a First Line Manager to lead a high-performing field force across therapy areas, delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving sustainable growth. You will manage a team of Sales Representatives, develop area business plans, and ensure execution excellence within a complex matrix.

You will leverage market insights to optimize territory performance, collaborate with Medical, Value & Access, Patient Engagement, and other teams, and maintain high compliance

Qualifications

• 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 diverse therapy areas, 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Sales Representatives to achieve sales, market share, productivity, and performance objectives across the disease area 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.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Coaching

Data analytics

Communication

Change management

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Salary Range:

€71,300.00 - €132,500.00

Job Description Summary

#Linkedin
#Belgium

At Novartis, our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. As a First Line Manager you will lead a high-performing field force team in one of our Therapy Areas, responsible for delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving sustainable growth across portfolios.

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 disease area 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 diverse therapy areas, 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.
• Fluent Dutch and/or French, English

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’recommitted 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 isdeterminedbased on gender-neutralobjectives, such as relevant skills,competenciesand experiencein accordance withthe 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 inkindto help you thrive personally and professionally, such as insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeingresourcesand global recognition programs. In addition, we provide flexible and hybrid working options, where possible, andminimum14 weekspaid parental leave.

You may be eligible for a company vehicle or a car allowancein accordance withthe applicable local Novartis policies and guidelines.

Pay equity is a fundamental principle of our employment policy and reflects our commitment to create a diverse,equitableand 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