Global Program Safety Lead - Oncology

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

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance plans

Retirement plans

Wellbeing resources

Global recognition programs

Flexible/hybrid working

Job summary

Novartis is seeking a Global Program Safety Lead - Oncology in London to own the end-to-end safety strategy for innovative programs, drive safety governance, and ensure benefit-risk is understood across the product lifecycle. You will lead cross-functional teams, partner with health authorities, and mentor colleagues while delivering robust medical safety documents.

The role requires 5+ years in pharma development, pharmacovigilance experience, and fluency in English, with a hybrid working

Qualifications

• Medical degree or equivalent required; doctoral degree or pharmacy doctorate preferred.
• 5+ years’ experience in pharmaceutical drug development within a global organization.
• 3+ years of postdoctoral, patient-facing clinical experience.
• 2+ years of hands-on drug safety/pharmacovigilance experience.
• Proven expertise in benefit–risk evaluation and regulatory submissions.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end safety strategy for assigned programs across development and lifecycle.
• Serve as scientific safety leader within global program, clinical, and trial teams.
• Identify, assess, and manage safety signals from all relevant sources.
• Chair Safety Management Teams to drive timely safety decisions.
• Own safety documents ensuring consistency and scientific rigor.
• Guide benefit-risk evaluations for regulatory submissions.
• Act as primary safety contact for health authority interactions.
• Partner cross-functionally to embed safety insights into development and lifecycle decisions.
• Ensure compliant documentation, tracking, and governance of safety activities.
• Mentor colleagues and strengthen medical safety capabilities.

Skills

Safety governance

Cross-functional leadership

Regulatory submissions

Global program experience

Clinical safety assessment

Pharmacovigilance

English fluency

Education

Medical degree

Doctoral degree / PhD

Job description

Summary

About this role:

Step into a role where your expertise directly safeguards patients and shapes the future of medicine. As a Global Program Safety Lead - Oncology at Novartis, you’ll own the end to end safety strategy for innovative 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

Location: London (The Westworks), United Kingdom

Working Pattern(s)

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 - please only apply if this location is accessible to you.

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 required; doctoral degree, pharmacy doctorate, or comparable healthcare qualification preferred
• 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

• Specialty board certification or postgraduate qualification in pharmaceutical medicine, epidemiology, or public health
• Working knowledge of additional major languages such as German, French, or Spanish
• Oncology 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 to 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.

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.

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)