Global Program Safety Lead - CRM

Novartis UK; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 84,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Parental leave

Insurance plans

Retirement plans

Global recognition programs

Job summary

Novartis UK in London is seeking a Global Program Safety Lead to own end‑to‑end safety strategy for priority programs across development and lifecycle management.

You will lead safety governance with global teams, assess signals from diverse sources, and partner with health authorities to ensure benefit‑risk clarity and timely actions. The role emphasizes cross‑functional leadership, scientific rigor, and effective communication in English.

Qualifications

• Medical degree or equivalent required.
• 5+ years’ experience in pharmaceutical drug development.
• 3+ years of postdoctoral, patient-facing clinical experience.
• 2+ years of hands‑on experience in drug safety/pharmacovigilance or medical safety roles.
• Proven expertise in benefit‑risk evaluation and clinical safety assessment.
• Experience preparing safety sections of regulatory submissions and periodic safety reports.
• Strong track record leading cross‑functional, multicultural teams.
• Fluency in English, with clear communication of safety topics.

Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end safety strategy for assigned programs across development and lifecycle management.
• Serve as scientific safety leader within global program, clinical, and trial teams.
• Identify, assess, and manage safety signals from relevant data sources.
• Chair Safety Management Teams for robust safety decision‑making.
• Own and deliver core medical safety documents with scientific rigor.
• Guide benefit‑risk evaluations and safety positioning for regulatory submissions.
• Act as primary safety contact for health authority interactions.
• Embed safety insights into development, labeling, and lifecycle decisions.
• Ensure compliant documentation and governance of safety activities.
• Mentor colleagues to strengthen medical safety capabilities.

Skills

English fluency

Cross‑functional leadership

Pharmacovigilance

Drug development

Education

Medical degree or equivalent

PhD/PharmD or equivalent

Job description

Summary

Step into a role where your expertise directly safeguards patients and shapes the future of medicine.

As a Global Program Safety Lead in Cardio Renal Metabolism at Novartis, you’ll own the end to end safety strategy for priority programs—bringing clarity to complex data, driving smart decisions in global teams, and ensuring benefit risk is understood and acted on across the product lifecycle. You’ll lead proactive safety governance, anticipate and manage emerging issues, and partner confidently with health authorities and internal leaders—turning insight into action, fast, and with purpose.

About The Role

Office Location: London (The Westworks), United Kingdom

Hybrid (12 days per month on-site if living within 50 miles of our London office)

Remote (if living beyond 50 miles of our London office)

Relocation Support: Novartis is unable to offer relocation support

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end safety strategy for assigned programs across development and lifecycle management
• Serve as scientific safety leader within global program, clinical, and trial teams
• Proactively identify, assess, and manage safety signals using data from all relevant sources
• Chair and drive Safety Management Teams to ensure timely, robust safety decision‑making
• Own and deliver core medical safety documents, ensuring consistency and scientific rigor
• Guide benefit‑risk evaluations and safety positioning across regulatory submissions
• Act as primary safety contact for health authority interactions and inquiries
• Partner cross‑functionally to embed safety insights into development, labeling, and lifecycle decisions
• Ensure compliant documentation, tracking, and governance of all safety activities
• Mentor and guide colleagues, strengthening medical safety capabilities across the organization

Essential Requirements

• Medical Degree or equivalent (preferred), PhD, PharmD or equivalent graduate level health care professional degree required.
• 5+ years’ experience in pharmaceutical drug development within a global pharmaceutical organization
• 3+ years of postdoctoral, patient-facing clinical experience (e.g., hospital, clinic, or medical practice setting)
• 2+ years of hands‑on experience in drug safety/pharmacovigilance or medical safety roles
• Proven expertise in benefit‑risk evaluation and clinical safety assessment across development phases
• Demonstrated experience preparing safety sections of regulatory submissions and periodic safety reports
• Strong track record of leading cross‑functional, multicultural teams in a matrix environment
• Fluency in spoken and written English, with ability to communicate complex safety topics clearly

Desirable Skills

• Post graduate degree in Pharmaceutical Medicine; Master of Public Health in Epidemiology (or equivalent)
• CRM experience would be a strong advantage

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: GB£ 83,510 - 155,090

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. Long-term equity awards granted at group level may also be part of your package. Further details will be provided during the application process.

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.

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)