Global Clinical Operations AI Product Director

(FCRS = US014) Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Barcelona; Hybrid; EUR 79,000 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working options

Insurance plans

Retirement plans

Wellbeing resources

Global recognition programs

14 weeks paid parental leave

Job summary

Novartis in Barcelona is seeking a Global Clinical Operations AI Product Director to translate complex business challenges into scalable AI solutions. You will guide products from concept through adoption, ensuring compliance and user-focused design in a hybrid, Barcelona-based role.

Requirements include a CS/engineering/life sciences degree and 7+ years in senior AI/product delivery, with SDLC and Agile/Scrum experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in CS/engineering/life sciences or related field.
• ≥7 years in senior management with AI/product delivery experience.
• Experience delivering AI-enabled products through SDLC with Agile/Scrum.
• Strong understanding of clinical operations and regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Identify clinical operations challenges and translate them into AI opportunities and product concepts.
• Define use cases, scope, value hypotheses, and requirements for AI products in Global Clinical Operations.
• Evaluate emerging AI technologies and vendor solutions to inform product direction.
• Bridge business stakeholders and technical teams with clear functional requirements.
• Lead AI products through design, MVP, pilot, scaling, and adoption.
• Ensure solutions are user-focused, compliant, and aligned with privacy and GxP.
• Drive adoption by user feedback, monitoring outcomes, and supporting organizational change.
• Partner across Global Clinical Operations, Development AI, DDIT, Quality, Compliance.

Skills

Product management

AI solution delivery

Agile / Scrum

SDLC

AI/ML understanding

Cross-functional leadership

Regulatory environment understanding

Clinical operations knowledge

Translate business needs to AI reqs

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/engineering/life sciences, or related field

Postgraduate qualification (MSc/MBA/PhD)

Job description

Salary Range

€78,500.00 - €145,900.00

Job Description Summary

#LI-Hybrid

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Please note that Novartis operates a Hybrid policy with an expectation of 12 days per month onsite.
Relocation is not supported for this position. Please only apply of this location is accessible for you. Novartis cannot sponsor Visas for this location.

Artificial Intelligence is creating new opportunities to transform how clinical trials are planned, executed, and delivered. As Global Clinical Operations AI Product Director, you will translate complex business challenges into practical, scalable AI solutions that improve productivity, quality, and cycle times across clinical development. Working at the intersection of clinical operations, technology, and business strategy, you will guide products from concept through adoption, ensuring they are compliant, user-focused, and capable of delivering measurable value. This role is focused on AI enablement, transformation, and delivery across Global Clinical Operations.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Identify clinical operations challenges and translate them into high-value Artificial Intelligence (AI) opportunities and product concepts.
• Define use cases, scope, value hypotheses, and requirements for prioritized products within the Global Clinical Operations AI portfolio.
• Evaluate emerging AI technologies, vendor solutions, and enterprise capabilities to inform product direction and design.
• Bridge business stakeholders and technical teams, translating operational needs into clear, actionable functional requirements.
• Lead AI products through design, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), pilot, refinement, scaling, and sustained adoption.
• Ensure solutions are user-focused, compliant, and aligned with privacy, AI guardrails, and Good Practice (GxP) requirements.
• Drive adoption by validating solutions with users, gathering feedback, monitoring outcomes, and supporting organizational change.
• Partner across Global Clinical Operations, Development AI, Digital, Data and Information Technology (DDIT), Quality, and Compliance.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, life sciences, or a related field, or equivalent relevant business experience.
• At least seven years’ relevant experience at a Senior management level
• Experience in product management, digital delivery, Artificial Intelligence (AI) solution delivery, or a closely related discipline.
• Strong understanding of clinical operations, drug development, life sciences, or another highly regulated operating environment.
• Proven ability to translate business needs into clear AI requirements, use cases, product scope, and value propositions.
• Experience delivering products through the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) using Agile or Scrum methodologies.
• Understanding of AI and Machine Learning (ML), model lifecycle concepts, and AI-enabled workflow design.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives, navigating complex matrix environments, and delivering measurable operational value.

Desirable Requirements

• Postgraduate qualification such as a Master of Science (MSc), Master of Business Administration (MBA), or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
• Experience enabling AI adoption or organizational change within clinical operations or a Good Practice (GxP) regulated environment.

Rewards

At Novartis, we’re committed to reimagining medicine together - and rewarding the people who make it happen.

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, anda minimum of14 weekspaid parental leave.

Rewards

Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: 78,500.00 - 145,900.00 EUR Annual

The 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. Further details will be provided during the application process.

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 ourbrochureto 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 and Inclusion / EEO:

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverseteams’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,supportingand inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together?https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Benefits and Rewards:

Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally:https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards

Skills Desired

AI Integration, AI Integration, AI Product Management, AI Systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Artificial Intelligence Strategy, Artificial Intelligence Technologies, Business Value Creation, Change Management, Clinical Operations, Clinical Research, Clinical Research Trials, Curious Mindset, Data Governance, Data Literacy, Data Quality, Data Science, Data Visualization, Deep Learning, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Learning Agility, Machine Learning (ML), Machine Learning Algorithms, Mentorship, Pharmaceutical Industry {+ 2 more}