SMM Strategy & Operations Country Head

ES06 (FCRS = ES006) Novartis Farmacéutica, S.A.; Sabadell; Hybrid; EUR 64,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis is seeking an SMM Strategy & Operations Country Head in Barcelona Gran Via to translate global and hub priorities into country actions, lead strategic initiatives, and drive operational excellence.

You will work across functions with senior leaders, use business insights to improve performance, and champion innovation while ensuring local perspectives help shape broader SMM strategy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in life sciences and 6+ years in pharma dev or clinical research.
• Experience in strategy and operations within pharma development.
• Proven cross-functional and global leadership with influencing without authority.
• Knowledge of GCP, ICH guidelines, and health authority regulations.
• Fluent English with strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Translate global and hub SMM strategy into country priorities, plans, and measurable outcomes.
• Drive strategic initiatives that strengthen clinical study execution, operational excellence, productivity, and performance.
• Identify country-specific opportunities, risks, and challenges, developing solutions that support effective mitigation.
• Lead innovation, transformation, and change initiatives to improve processes, efficiency, and ways of working.
• Use business insights, metrics, and external trends to guide strategic decisions and performance improvements.
• Partner across functions to optimize portfolio planning, resource strategy, and alignment with broader organizational priorities.
• Champion effective communication, collaboration, compliance, and ethical standards across the country organization.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Communication

Presentation skills

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional leadership

Influence without authority

Education

Bachelor's degree in life sciences

Advanced degree in a scientific or business discipline

Job description

Job Description Summary

Salary Range: €63,600.00 - €118,000.00 Band Level 5 Job Description Summary #LI-Hybrid Location: Barcelona Gran Via, Spain Relocation Support: This role is based in Barcelona Gran Via, Spain. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible. Ready to shape strategy into meaningful impact and help transform how clinical studies are delivered? As the SMM Strategy & Operations Country Head, you will play a pivotal role in translating global and hub priorities into impactful country-level action. Working across functions and with senior leaders, you will use business insights to strengthen performance, drive operational excellence, lead strategic initiatives, and identify opportunities to improve clinical study execution. You will champion innovation and change while ensuring local perspectives help shape broader SMM strategy, creating an environment where teams can deliver with greater focus, efficiency, and impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Translate global and hub SMM strategy into clear country priorities, plans, and measurable outcomes.


• Drive strategic initiatives that strengthen clinical study execution, operational excellence, productivity, and performance.


• Identify country-specific opportunities, risks, and challenges, developing solutions that support effective mitigation.


• Lead innovation, transformation, and change initiatives that improve processes, efficiency, and ways of working.


• Use business insights, metrics, and external trends to guide strategic decisions and performance improvements.


• Partner across functions to optimize portfolio planning, resource strategy, and alignment with broader organizational priorities.


• Champion effective communication, collaboration, compliance, and ethical standards across the country organization.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in life sciences, with at least 6 years of experience in pharmaceutical development or clinical research.


• Strong experience developing and executing strategy and operations within pharmaceutical development or clinical research.


• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional and global teams, including the ability to influence effectively without direct authority.


• Proven experience in performance management, operational excellence, productivity improvement, and organizational change.


• Strong knowledge of drug development, Good Clinical Practice, International Council for Harmonisation guidelines, and relevant health authority regulations.


• Fluent written and spoken English, with strong strategic thinking, communication, presentation, and stakeholder-management skills.

Desirable Requirements

• Advanced degree in a scientific or business-related discipline.


• Experience applying business management insights and quantitative approaches to improve processes, productivity, and efficiency.

Benefits & Rewards

Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: 63,600 - 118,000 EURO

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

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion / EEO

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

Skills Desired

Budget Management, Clinical Trials, Negotiation, People Management, Process Improvements, Project Planning, Vendor Management, Waterfall Model 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.