Director, Internal Audit, TechOps

ES06 (FCRS = ES006) Novartis Farmacéutica, S.A.; Sabadell; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis Pharmaceuticals, S.A. seeks a Director, Internal Audit, TechOps, based in Barcelona to lead high-impact audit engagements across manufacturing and supply.

You will partner with senior leaders to shape risk identification, mitigation, and governance across end-to-end operations, driving improvements and innovative audit approaches. The role requires a technical or scientific degree, extensive regulated-audit experience, and the ability to influence at executive levels.

Qualifications

• Degree in technical or scientific discipline related to manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, or production planning.
• Significant experience in internal audit within regulated industries (pharma, biotech, or medical devices).
• Strong knowledge of end-to-end manufacturing, supply chain, quality systems, and external manufacturing models.
• Proven ability to lead audit engagements, manage senior stakeholders, and deliver high-impact outcomes.
• Solid understanding of GMP, GDP, FDA/EMA and international regulatory requirements.
• Ability to influence senior leaders and communicate audit conclusions with clarity.
• Demonstrated people management experience, developing and motivating teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and direct complex audit and advisory engagements across manufacturing and supply operations.
• Ensure audit scopes address end-to-end Technical Operations risks, including quality, compliance, technology, and third‑party models.
• Support audit planning and program development by identifying key Manufacturing & Supply risks and acting as a technical reference for risk-based coverage.
• Review audit findings and reports to ensure technical accuracy, clarity, and evidence-based conclusions.
• Drive pragmatic, value-adding recommendations that strengthen controls and enable operational improvement.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, maintaining independence while fostering credible partnerships.
• Provide direct line management to Senior Managers, setting strategy and ensuring high-quality delivery.
• Coach auditors through hands-on guidance and knowledge sharing in Manufacturing and Supply.
• Advance digital, data-driven, and AI-enabled audit practices with enablement teams.

Skills

Fluency in English

People management

Internal audit

Education

Degree in technical or scientific discipline

Job description

Salary Range: €70,100.00 - €130,300.00 Band Level 6 Job Description Summary #LI-Hybrid Location: Barcelona, Spain

You will play a pivotal role in safeguarding and strengthening Novartis’ Technical Operations by providing independent, strategic assurance across manufacturing and supply. As Director, Internal Audit, TechOps, you will lead complex, high‑impact audit and advisory engagements that shape how risks are identified, mitigated, and managed across end‑to‑end operations. Partnering closely with senior and executive stakeholders, you will bring deep operational insight, sound judgment, and a forward‑looking mindset to influence better outcomes, advance audit innovation, and help ensure we continue to deliver quality medicines to patients worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and provide overall direction for complex, risk‑based audit and advisory engagements across manufacturing and supply operations
• Ensure audit scopes address end‑to‑end Technical Operations risks, including quality, compliance, technology, and third‑party models
• Support audit planning and audit program development by identifying key Manufacturing & Supply risks and acting as a technical reference to ensure audit coverage remains risk‑based, relevant, and aligned to business priorities
• Review audit findings and reports to ensure technical accuracy, clarity, and evidence‑based conclusions
• Drive pragmatic, value‑adding recommendations that strengthen controls and enable measurable operational improvement
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, maintaining independence while fostering constructive, credible partnerships
• Provide direct line management to Senior Managers, setting clear strategic direction, overseeing performance and development, and ensuring consistent, high‑quality delivery of risk‑focused audit and advisory engagements across Technical Operations
• Coach and develop auditors through hands‑on guidance, feedback, and knowledge‑sharing in Manufacturing and Supply
• Advance digital, data‑driven, and artificial intelligence‑enabled audit practices in collaboration with enablement teams

Please be advised that this role has a global travel requirement circa 25%.

Essential Requirements

• Degree in technical or scientific discipline related to manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, or production planning
• Substantial experience within internal audit functions in highly regulated industries, preferably pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or medical devices
• Strong practical knowledge of end‑to‑end processes in manufacturing operations, supply chain management, quality systems, and external manufacturing models
• Proven experience leading audit and advisory engagements, managing senior stakeholders, and delivering high‑impact outcomes
• Solid understanding of pharmaceutical regulations and standards, including Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Good Distribution Practice (GDP), and global health authority requirements such as FDA, EMA, and other international regulatory bodies
• Demonstrated ability to operate in complex environments, influence senior leaders, and communicate audit conclusions with confidence and tact
• Strong people management experience, with a track record of leading, developing, and motivating high‑performing teams.
• Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required; additional languages are an advantage

Desirable Requirements

• Professional internal audit or supply chain certification, such as Certified Internal Auditor or Certified Supply Chain Professional
• Experience applying data analytics or artificial intelligence‑enabled tools within internal audit or regulated operating environments
• 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.

Skills Desired

• Building High Performance Team
• Compliance And Controls (Inactive)
• Critical Thinking
• E2E Process View (Inactive)
• Effective Communications (Inactive)
• Financial Accounting
• Financial And Management Reporting (Inactive)
• People Development
• Problem Solving
• Process Optimization

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.

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