Associate Director, Portfolio Management & Operations, Neuroscience

C028 (FCRS = CH028) Novartis Pharma AG; Basel; Hybrid; CHF 123,000 - 228,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Parental leave (minimum 14 weeks)

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Novartis Pharma AG in Basel, Switzerland is seeking an Associate Director, Portfolio Management & Operations, Neuroscience, to guide strategy and portfolio decisions across a global research organisation.

The role leads cross-functional initiatives, manages Basel operations, and oversees budgeting, forecasting and governance to enable timely, executive-ready decisions that accelerate patient impact.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in scientific, medical, business or technical discipline.
• Significant biotechnology/pharmaceutical research, portfolio management or business operations experience.
• Proven success leading complex cross-functional initiatives in a global research environment.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and deliver results without direct authority.
• Experience managing budgets, forecasting, financial oversight and cost centre accountability.
• Expertise in portfolio governance, planning, reporting and decision support.
• Excellent communication skills with executive-ready recommendations.
• Strong enterprise mindset with agility in a complex matrix environment.

Responsibilities

• Partner with senior Neuroscience leaders to shape strategy, priorities and portfolio decisions.
• Lead high-priority cross-functional initiatives supporting Neuroscience and Biomedical Research objectives.
• Drive alignment across Disease Areas, Functional Areas and enterprise partners.
• Lead Neuroscience Basel operations balancing local site priorities with global objectives.
• Own budget planning, forecasting and resource management for the Basel Neuroscience cost centre.
• Oversee contract execution and governance with Procurement, Legal, Finance and stakeholders.
• Lead complex organizational integrations and global transition initiatives across functions.
• Strengthen portfolio governance, reporting, analytics and decision-support processes.
• Identify, escalation and manage portfolio risks to enable proactive decision making.
• Coach and develop team members ensuring high-quality operational delivery and execution.

Education

Advanced degree in scientific, medical, business or technical discipline

Job description

Salary Range: CHF122,500.00 - CHF227,500.00 Band Level 5

Job Description Summary

Are you passionate about shaping the future of neuroscience research and development? As Associate Director, Portfolio Management & Operations, Neuroscience, you will serve as a trusted strategic partner to senior leaders, helping drive critical decisions, shape portfolio priorities, and deliver operational excellence across a global research organisation. This highly visible role offers the opportunity to influence how Novartis advances innovative neuroscience programmes, lead complex cross-functional initiatives, and connect strategy with execution to accelerate impact for patients.

Location: Basel, Switzerland #LI-Hybrid

Responsibilities

• Partner with senior Neuroscience leaders to shape strategy, priorities and portfolio management decisions.
• Lead high-priority cross-functional initiatives that support Neuroscience and Biomedical Research objectives.
• Drive alignment across Disease Areas, Functional Areas and enterprise partners.
• Lead Neuroscience Basel operations while balancing local site priorities with global objectives.
• Own budget planning, forecasting and resource management for the Basel Neuroscience cost centre.
• Oversee contract execution and governance with Procurement, Legal, Finance and business stakeholders.
• Lead complex organisational integrations and global transition initiatives across functions and geographies.
• Strengthen portfolio governance, reporting, analytics and decision-support processes.
• Identify, escalation and manage portfolio risks to enable proactive decision making.
• Coach and develop team members while ensuring high-quality operational delivery and execution.

Essential for the role

• Advanced degree in a scientific, medical, business or technical discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience within biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, portfolio management, business operations or related fields.
• Proven success leading complex cross-functional initiatives in a global research and development environment.
• Strong experience influencing stakeholders and delivering results without direct authority.
• Experience managing budgets, forecasting, financial oversight and cost centre accountability.
• Demonstrated expertise in portfolio governance, planning, reporting and decision support.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex information into executive-ready recommendations.
• Strong enterprise mindset with sound judgement, agility and the ability to thrive in a complex matrix environment.

Desirable for the role

• Experience leading organisational integrations, operating model changes or large-scale business transitions.
• Experience supporting early research or discovery-stage neuroscience or neuromuscular disease portfolios.

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: 122,500.00 to 227,500.00 CHF
• 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.
• 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
• Note: Benefits and compensation may vary by country and are subject to local legal requirements, including provisions of collective bargaining agreements where applicable.

A full overview of your compensation package, including any relevant collective bargaining agreement details applicable to your role based on your employment location and Novartis employer entity, will be communicated separately to you during the application process.

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.

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 [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Skills Desired

• Account Management
• Business Administration
• Business Relationship Management (BRM)
• Corporate Development
• Drug Development
• Financial Modeling
• IT Portfolio Management
• Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)
• Portfolio Analysis
• Prioritization
• Waterfall Model

In the context of China Cross-Border Data Transfer (CBDT) policy, if you need to apply for a position in China, please go to the local Recruiting System TaleNov.