Director, Strategic Projects Lead

GB16 (FCRS = GB016) Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd.; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 71,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid working

Insurance plans

Retirement plans

Wellbeing resources

Global recognition programs

14 weeks parental leave

Job summary

Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd. in London seeks a Director, Strategic Projects Lead to drive transformational initiatives across Advanced Quantitative Sciences.

You will partner with senior leaders to translate strategy into execution, delivering measurable outcomes and shaping operating models. The role requires proven experience leading large cross-functional programs in pharma, strong program management, and the ability to influence stakeholders within a matrix structure.

Qualifications

• Degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Business, or related discipline.
• Significant experience in pharmaceutical research, life sciences consulting, or transformation environments.
• Proven success leading large-scale, cross-functional transformation or strategic initiatives.
• Strong understanding of drug development and the pharmaceutical research and development operating environment.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex strategies into executable plans and measurable outcomes.
• Expertise in program and project management, including planning, governance, execution, and delivery.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead effectively within matrix organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of strategic transformation initiatives, ensuring measurable business impact across AQS.
• Develop and maintain integrated transformation roadmaps aligned with strategic priorities and organizational goals.
• Translate strategic objectives into executable plans with clear priorities, milestones, and dependencies.
• Establish robust governance frameworks to monitor progress, risks, outcomes, and overall program performance.
• Drive alignment and execution across cross-functional teams, functions, and Development stakeholders.
• Influence and lead matrix teams to successfully deliver complex initiatives without direct authority.
• Implement scalable operating models, processes, and ways of working that enhance organizational performance.
• Champion change adoption through effective communication, capability building, and stakeholder engagement.
• Provide data-driven insights and recommendations to optimize execution, prioritization, and transformation outcomes.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on transformation strategy, delivery, and execution excellence.

Skills

Clinical Research

Drug Development

Financial Management

Influencing Skills

Leadership

Microsoft Project

Prioritization

Program Management

Project Delivery

Project Planning

Requirements Gathering

Education

Degree in Life Sciences

Engineering

Business

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

Salary Range

£70,983.50 - £131,826.50

Job Description Summary

Director, Strategic Projects Lead #LI-Hybrid

Location: London, UK

This role is based in London, UK. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role. Please only apply if this location is accessible for you.

Transforming how strategy is executed can be just as powerful as the strategy itself. As Director, Strategic Projects Lead, you will be entrusted with driving some of the most critical transformation and innovation initiatives across Advanced Quantitative Sciences (AQS). Partnering with senior leaders across Development, you will translate strategic ambitions into enterprise-wide execution, ensuring transformational priorities are delivered, adopted, and embedded to create lasting impact. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence the future operating model of AQS, accelerate innovation at scale, and shape how a global organization delivers value in an increasingly complex and evolving environment. If you are energized by leading large-scale change, navigating complexity, and turning vision into measurable outcomes, we would love to hear from you.

Key responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of strategic transformation initiatives, ensuring measurable business impact across AQS.
• Develop and maintain integrated transformation roadmaps aligned with strategic priorities and organizational goals.
• Translate strategic objectives into executable plans with clear priorities, milestones, and dependencies.
• Establish robust governance frameworks to monitor progress, risks, outcomes, and overall program performance.
• Drive alignment and execution across cross-functional teams, functions, and Development stakeholders.
• Influence and lead matrix teams to successfully deliver complex initiatives without direct authority.
• Implement scalable operating models, processes, and ways of working that enhance organizational performance.
• Champion change adoption through effective communication, capability building, and stakeholder engagement.
• Provide data-driven insights and recommendations to optimize execution, prioritization, and transformation outcomes.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on transformation strategy, delivery, and execution excellence.

Essential Requirements

• Degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in pharmaceutical research and development, life sciences consulting, or transformation environments.
• Proven success leading large-scale, cross-functional transformation or strategic initiatives.
• Strong understanding of drug development and the pharmaceutical research and development operating environment.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex strategies into executable plans and measurable outcomes.
• Expertise in program and project management, including planning, governance, execution, and delivery.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead effectively within matrix organizations.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and data-driven decision-making capabilities.

Benefits & Rewards

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

Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: 70,983.50 -131,826.50 GBP 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 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 diverse teams’ representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Skills Desired

• Clinical Research
• Drug Development
• Financial Management
• Influencing Skills
• Leadership
• Microsoft Project
• Prioritization
• Program Management
• Project Delivery
• Project Planning
• Requirements Gathering

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.