Associate Director IMM DU Portfolio Strategy & Operation

Novartis Farmacéutica; London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global healthcare company is seeking an Associate Director of Portfolio Strategy & Operations in London. The role involves driving project execution and managing the drug development portfolio. Candidates should hold a Master's or Doctorate in life sciences, possess strong project management skills, and have experience in cross-functional collaboration. This position offers a hybrid working model with significant responsibilities in a diverse and inclusive environment.

Qualifications

• Proven success in cross-functional project management.
• Fluent in English, both oral and written.
• Experience in multi-disciplinary or drug development environments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the product portfolio and project management process.
• Drive reporting on portfolio and pipeline progress.
• Ensure transparency about program risks.

Skills

Project management

Strong communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Education

Master’s degree or Doctorate in life sciences

MBA with bachelor’s in life science

Tools

SharePoint

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Job ID REQ-10058579

Jul 29, 2025

United Kingdom

Summary

Responsible for overseeing the product portfolio and project management process in a sub-part of the overall organization (major region, region, country, group, division, subsidiary, or other sub-part).

About the Role

#LI-Hybrid (3 days per week on-site)
Location: London (The Westworks), and Basel.

Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you.

The Associate Director IMM DU Portfolio Strategy & Operation works with the Head Portfolio Strategy & Operations (HPSO) and team members of the PSO, to drive the Development Unit (DU) portfolio strategy and operations and help oversee program execution by actively partnering with Global Program Heads, Global Program Management.

Major responsibilities

• Deliver strong execution for various aspects of DU operations. Displays high accountability and resilience.
• Contribute to the DU portfolio management by portfolio analytics, tracking and reporting. Anticipates changes, adapts and able to drive high quality decisions regarding the DU pipeline.
• Support an ambitious vision for the DU. Thinks beyond organizational boundaries. Ensures full transparency about program risks and uncompromising ethics.
• Drive reporting on portfolio and pipeline progress to internal and external stakeholders (in close collaboration with Investor Relations).
• Help drive key strategic initiatives within the Development Unit and beyond.
• Support the creation of strategic and competitive insights in close collaboration with Global Program Teams and key strategic functions across the enterprise as relevant for the DU.
• Is a strong communicator and connector and can influence across multiple levels without direct authority.
• Is inspired, curious, inclusive and fosters a psychologically safe yet creative and demanding team environment.
• Previous track record of success in working with international large scale and complex multi-/ cross-functional drug development teams.
• Broad knowledge in drug development (including early and late-stage development across the development spectrum).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and strong relationship builder and communicator with experience engaging functional partners, and partnering with senior leaders e.g., GPHs.
• Master’s degree or Doctorate in life sciences (or MBA with bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience in life science).
• Fluent English (oral and written).
• Industry experience in a multi-disciplinary environment or in a drug development Line Function.
• Strong project management skills with demonstrated success in planning and executing cross-functional projects.
• Advanced knowledge of international business practices.
• Competent with various IT modalities (SharePoint, Excel, PowerPoint, Andromeda, Horizon, AI tools).

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion / EEO paragraph

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? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

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GB16 (FCRS = GB016) Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd.

Alternative Location 1 Basel (City), Switzerland

Functional Area Research & Development

Job Type Full time

Employment Type Regular

Shift Work No

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