Head of International Medical Affairs, Governance Enablement

(FCRS = US014) Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Barcelona; Hybrid; EUR 94,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

Hybrid work model

Global benefits program

Job summary

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation based in Barcelona, Spain, seeks a Head of International Medical Affairs, Governance Enablement. The role leads governance enablement across International Medical Affairs, partnering with regional and country heads to deliver clear and compliant governance outcomes.

In this leadership position, you will translate governance expectations into practical operating models, drive cross-country collaboration, and enhance organizational effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Medicine, Pharmacy, Life Sciences or related field.
• 10+ years in Medical Affairs, Quality and Compliance within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Experience in multinational Medical Affairs roles with governance and compliance focus.

Responsibilities

• Shape country governance operating model across International Medical Affairs.
• Develop governance resource models aligning workload, risk and capacity.
• Prioritize governance demand with Country/Regional Medical Heads.
• Ensure continuity in governance roles via recruitment, onboarding and succession.
• Lead enablement for high-governance-risk countries with monitoring, audit and escalation.
• Create governance learning journeys and capability programs with measurable impact.
• Build a connected governance network for cross-country collaboration at scale.
• Lead governance transformation with future-state models, roadmaps, and adoption measures.
• Promote responsible use of AI, analytics, and digital tools in governance workflows.
• Lead and develop the Governance Enablement team and strengthen leadership across governance.

Skills

Change Agility

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Data Analysis

Drug Development

Employee Development

Evidence Generation

Graduate Medical Education

Healthcare Industry

Health Sciences

Influencing Skills

Innovation

Inspirational Leadership

Medical Affairs

Medical Communications

Patient Care

People Management

Pharmaceutics

Product Launches

Product Strategies

Real World Evidence

Regulatory Compliance

Research Methodologies

Education

Advanced degree in Medicine/Pharmacy/Life Sciences

Job description

Salary Range:

€93,800.00 - €174,200.00

Job Description Summary

#LI-Hybrid

Location: Barcelona, Spain.

Relocation Support: Yes

Are you ready to shape how International Medical Affairs operates and enable teams to deliver with greater clarity, consistency, and impact?

As Head of International Medical Affairs, Governance Enablement, you will play a critical leadership role in strengthening governance and operational enablement across International Medical Affairs. Reporting to the Head of Medical Affairs Governance & Operations, IMA, you will help translate governance expectations into effective ways of working, partnering across functions and geographies to support the organization in delivering its Medical Affairs priorities. This is an opportunity to combine strategic thinking, operational leadership, and strong stakeholder engagement to simplify complexity, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and enable teams across regions and countries to focus on delivering meaningful impact for patients.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Shape the country governance operating model, strengthening accountability and effective execution across International Medical Affairs.
• Develop governance resource models that translate country workload, risk, capacity, and capability needs into actionable priorities.
• Partner with Country and Regional Medical Heads to prioritize governance demand and protect organizational capacity.
• Ensure continuity in critical governance roles through effective recruitment support, succession planning, onboarding, and transitions.
• Lead targeted enablement for countries with elevated governance risks, using monitoring, audit, and escalation insights.
• Build role-based governance learning journeys and capability programs that drive measurable improvement beyond training completion.
• Develop a connected, high-performing governance network that enables knowledge sharing and cross-country collaboration at scale.
• Lead country governance transformation by defining future-state operating models, roadmaps, and measures for sustained adoption.
• Champion responsible use of Artificial Intelligence, analytics, and digital solutions across governance enablement and learning workflows.
• Lead, develop, and empower the Governance Enablement team while strengthening leadership capability across the wider governance community.

Essential Requirements:

• Advanced degree in Medicine, Pharmacy, Life Sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of Medical Affairs, Quality and Compliance experience within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Proven experience working in international, regional, or above-country Medical Affairs roles within a complex global organization.
• Strong understanding of Medical Affairs governance, compliance, risk management, and associated operating models.
• Demonstrated experience leading organizational transformation, governance enablement, or capability-building initiatives across multiple markets.
• Strong strategic leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to align senior cross-functional and country stakeholders.
• Previous people leadership experience, including proven ability to lead, develop, and empower high-performing teams and build effective networks across geographies.
• Excellent written and spoken English, combined with strong communication, organizational, and stakeholder-management capabilities.

Desirable Requirements:

• Proficiency in additional languages beyond English.
• Experience driving large-scale Medical Affairs governance transformation or organizational change across international markets.

Benefits:

Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: Novartis Life Handbook

Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role:

93,800.00 - 174,200.00 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 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.
In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters.Long-term equity awards granted at group level may also be part of your package. Further details will be provided during the application process.
*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.

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.

Skills Desired

Change Agility, Change Agility, Clinical Protocols, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Data Analysis, Drug Development, Employee Development, Evidence Generation, Graduate Medical Education (GME), Healthcare Industry, Health Sciences, Influencing Skills, Innovation, Inspirational Leadership, Medical Affairs, Medical Communications, Patient Care, People Management, Pharmaceutics, Product Launches, Product Strategies, Real World Evidence (RWE), Regulatory Compliance, Research Methodologies, Results-Oriented {+ 4 more}