Associate Director, Scientific Intelligence & AI

Novartis UK; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 68,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible/hybrid working

Job summary

Novartis UK seeks an Associate Director of Scientific Intelligence & AI to translate the International Medical Affairs AI agenda into scalable products and measurable business value. You will steer AI opportunities across regions and collaborate with Medical Affairs, Commercial, and Technology teams to drive adoption and governance.

You will lead the definition of AI-enabled roadmaps, ensure responsible AI, and advocate for rigorous evaluation while engaging senior stakeholders and driving

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, Business, Technology, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, or a related discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• Significant experience driving AI and digital transformation initiatives within the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry.
• Experience translating business or scientific needs into digital or AI-enabled products, roadmaps, and measurable business outcomes.
• Proven track record progressing initiatives from discovery and experimentation through governance, adoption, and scale.
• Practical fluency in Generative AI, Large Language Model-enabled applications, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), agentic AI, prompting methodologies, AI evaluation, and human-in-the-loop approaches.
• Strong product management capabilities across user discovery, prioritization, roadmap development, experimentation, and value realization.
• Excellent communication, executive storytelling, influencing, and matrix leadership skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders.
• Proficient English language skills, both written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Translate the International Medical Affairs AI strategy into high-impact initiatives, products, and measurable business outcomes.
• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize high-value AI opportunities across Medical Affairs, regions, and countries.
• Define product vision, user journeys, roadmaps, and success measures for AI-enabled solutions.
• Lead rapid experimentation and prototyping of Generative AI and agentic AI use cases to validate business value.
• Partner with enterprise AI, Technology, Data, Analytics, Commercial, and Value & Access teams to maximize reuse and scalability.
• Drive adoption of AI-enabled solutions by embedding them into Medical workflows and demonstrating measurable impact.
• Ensure responsible AI principles, scientific integrity, privacy, compliance, and human oversight are embedded by design.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration and thought leadership to accelerate AI innovation across International Medical Affairs.

Skills

Generative AI

Large Language Models

Product management

Stakeholder engagement

Governance & compliance

Executive storytelling

English proficiency

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Summary

Location: London, United Kingdom

This role is based in London, United Kingdom. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible.

Ready to help shape the future of AI in Medical Affairs?

As the Associate Director, Scientific Intelligence & AI, you will play a pivotal role in translating the International Medical Affairs AI ambition into scalable, measurable business outcomes. Working at the intersection of Medical Affairs, Generative AI, agentic AI, and product innovation, you will identify high-impact opportunities, validate AI-enabled solutions, and help transform promising concepts into adopted and scalable products. Partnering across International and Global Medical Affairs, Commercial, Value & Access, Data, Analytics & Platforms, Technology, enterprise AI teams, and country organizations, you will drive responsible AI innovation that enhances scientific workflows, accelerates insights, and delivers meaningful value for patients and healthcare stakeholders. Reporting to the Head of Scientific Intelligence & AI, this is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of AI-powered Medical Affairs while advancing Novartis' mission to reimagine medicine.

About The Role

Key Responsibilities:

• Translate the International Medical Affairs AI strategy into high-impact initiatives, products, and measurable business outcomes.
• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize high-value AI opportunities across Medical Affairs, regions, and countries.
• Define product vision, user journeys, roadmaps, and success measures for AI-enabled solutions.
• Lead rapid experimentation and prototyping of Generative AI and agentic AI use cases to validate business value.
• Partner with enterprise AI, Technology, Data, Analytics, Commercial, and Value & Access teams to maximize reuse and scalability.
• Drive adoption of AI-enabled solutions by embedding them into Medical workflows and demonstrating measurable impact.
• Ensure responsible AI principles, scientific integrity, privacy, compliance, and human oversight are embedded by design.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration and thought leadership to accelerate AI innovation across International Medical Affairs.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, Business, Technology, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, or a related discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• Significant experience driving AI and digital transformation initiatives within the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry.
• Experience translating business or scientific needs into digital or AI-enabled products, roadmaps, and measurable business outcomes.
• Proven track record progressing initiatives from discovery and experimentation through governance, adoption, and scale.
• Practical fluency in Generative AI, Large Language Model-enabled applications, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), agentic AI, prompting methodologies, AI evaluation, and human-in-the-loop approaches.
• Strong product management capabilities across user discovery, prioritization, roadmap development, experimentation, and value realization.
• Excellent communication, executive storytelling, influencing, and matrix leadership skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders.
• Proficient English language skills, both written and spoken.

Desirable Requirements

• Medical Affairs experience, including an understanding of medical workflows, scientific engagement, stakeholders, and regulated healthcare environments.

Benefits:

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

Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: 67,900.00 - 126,100.00 GBP

In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters.

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.

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

Benefits and Rewards:

Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.

Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)