Associate Director, Cloud Data Platform Architecture

Novartis AG; Barcelona; On-site; EUR 64,000 - 118,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance plans

Retirement plans

Hybrid working

Job summary

Novartis is seeking an Associate Director, Cloud Data Platform Architecture in Barcelona to define technology strategy and architecture for cloud data platforms across the Drug Development portfolio. You will guide secure, scalable, compliant platform capabilities and lead a multi-tenant data mesh in production.

You will collaborate with IT, governance and external partners to shape architecture, roadmaps and delivery while ensuring security, compliance and enterprise standards.

Qualifications

• Degree in Information Technology, Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Engineering or equivalent relevant experience.
• Extensive architecture experience with enterprise-scale, multi-tenant cloud data platforms.
• Translate business priorities into scalable architecture, roadmaps and delivery plans.
• Strong stakeholder management across IT, governance and business functions.
• Hands-on experience architecting Databricks and AWS cloud data platform solutions and building prototypes.
• Strong technical experience with Databricks Lakehouse, including Delta Lake, Unity Catalog, Lakeflow/DLT, Workflows, Databricks SQL and Asset Bundles.
• Experience with PySpark/Python, SQL, Spark Structured Streaming, Kafka, API Gateway and AWS Lambda.
• Strong understanding of data platform capabilities, including ingestion, data product development, consumption, observability, governance and compliance.
• Experience designing platforms for regulated, GxP or highly sensitive data environments.
• Experience providing technical direction to architects and engineers on large-scale initiatives delivered with external vendors.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and design of cloud data platform capabilities supporting Drug Development use cases, reviewing and approving architecture and technical designs with oversight from the Platform Architecture Director.
• Define technology strategy, architecture standards and reusable platform patterns.
• Guide the evolution of the existing multi-tenant cloud data mesh platform, supporting the delivery of new capabilities and enhancements to existing functionality and self-service interfaces.
• Partner with Domain IT, Platform Engineering, Data Management, Governance and external vendors to align platform capabilities with business priorities.
• Prioritise capability backlogs, shape delivery roadmaps and coordinate MVP delivery with engineering teams.
• Lead technology evaluations, technical spikes and proofs of concept to inform platform decisions.
• Provide technical direction to project delivery vendors implementing prototypes and review outcomes against architectural requirements.
• Oversee multiple capability delivery streams, helping to identify and resolve technical and organisational blockers.
• Ensure adherence to security, compliance, GxP, quality and enterprise architecture standards.
• Provide technical direction and coaching to vendor architects, fostering innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Skills

Databricks

AWS

PySpark/Python

SQL

Kafka

Data governance

GxP

Education

Degree in IT, life sciences, pharmacy, engineering or equivalent

Tools

Databricks Lakehouse

Unity Catalog

Delta Lake

DLT (Delta Live Tables)

Workflows

Kafka

API Gateway

AWS Lambda

Job description

Summary

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Relocation Support: This role is based in Barcelona, Spain. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this position. Please only apply if the location is accessible to you.

About The Role

As Associate Director, Cloud Data Platform Architecture, you will define the technology strategy and architecture for cloud data platforms supporting the Novartis Drug Development portfolio. You will guide the delivery of secure, compliant, scalable and reusable platform capabilities supporting a wide range of data and AI use cases.

A key focus will be evolving an established, multi-tenant cloud data mesh platform already operating in production. You will lead the architecture of new AI capabilities and enhancements to existing capabilities, improving the platform's self-service experience while maintaining robust data governance, GxP compliance and protection of highly sensitive data.

You will bring deep technical expertise in cloud data platforms and work closely with internal teams and external partners to shape architecture, technology strategy and delivery direction.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and design of cloud data platform capabilities supporting Drug Development use cases, reviewing and approving architecture and technical designs with oversight from the Platform Architecture Director.
• Define technology strategy, architecture standards and reusable platform patterns.
• Guide the evolution of the existing multi-tenant cloud data mesh platform, supporting the delivery of new capabilities and enhancements to existing functionality and self-service interfaces.
• Partner with Domain IT, Platform Engineering, Data Management, Governance and external vendors to align platform capabilities with business priorities.
• Prioritise capability backlogs, shape delivery roadmaps and coordinate MVP delivery with engineering teams.
• Lead technology evaluations, technical spikes and proofs of concept to inform platform decisions.
• Provide technical direction to project delivery vendors implementing prototypes and review outcomes against architectural requirements.
• Oversee multiple capability delivery streams, helping to identify and resolve technical and organisational blockers.
• Ensure adherence to security, compliance, GxP, quality and enterprise architecture standards.
• Provide technical direction and coaching to vendor architects, fostering innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Your first 6–12 months

You will build a strong understanding of the platform and its capabilities, enabling you to provide timely architectural guidance to platform tenants and support architects and engineers in enhancing existing capabilities and delivering new ones.

Essential Requirements

• Degree in Information Technology, Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Engineering or equivalent relevant experience.
• Extensive relevant architecture experience, including proven experience architecting enterprise-scale, multi-tenant cloud data platforms involving multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to translate business priorities into scalable architecture, roadmaps and delivery plans.
• Strong stakeholder management and collaboration skills across IT, engineering, governance and business functions.
• Recent hands‑on experience architecting Databricks and AWS cloud data platform solutions and building prototypes, including incremental ETL and pipeline orchestration.
• Strong technical experience with Databricks Lakehouse, including Delta Lake, Unity Catalog, Lakeflow/DLT, Workflows, Databricks SQL and Asset Bundles.
• Experience with PySpark/Python, SQL, Spark Structured Streaming, Kafka, Amazon API Gateway and AWS Lambda.
• Strong understanding of data platform capabilities, including ingestion, data product development, consumption, observability, governance and compliance.
• Experience designing platforms for regulated, GxP or highly sensitive data environments.
• Experience providing technical direction to architects and engineers on large-scale initiatives delivered with external vendors.

Desirable experience

• Experience within pharmaceutical, life sciences or drug development environments.
• Familiarity with data mesh architecture and platform engineering operating models.
• Experience defining reference architectures, standards and reusable design patterns.
• Experience working with vendor architects and assessing delivery performance against SLAs.
• A strong focus on innovation, continuous improvement and engineering excellence.
• Experience integrating data platforms with technologies such as Collibra and Immuta.
• Understanding of Open Data Product/Contract Specifications.
• Experience developing generative AI capabilities using structured and unstructured data. AI expertise can also be further developed in the role through collaboration with domain experts.

Benefits & Rewards

Expected Annual Base Salary Range: €63,800 – €118,400 EUR

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 will be reviewed periodically after joining Novartis.

In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance‑based bonus depending on applicable performance parameters.

The rewards of being part of our team go beyond base pay and incentives. We offer a variety of competitive benefits to help you thrive personally and professionally, including insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources and global recognition programs. We also provide flexible and hybrid working options where possible, as well as paid parental leave.

Read our handbook to learn more about our global Total Rewards offering.

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 and Inclusion

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

Why Novartis

Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients' lives. Ready to create a brighter future together?

Learn more about our people and culture.