Global Program Safety Lead - Oncology

GB16 (FCRS = GB016) Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd.; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 84,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Insurance plans

Retirement plans

Wellbeing resources

Parental leave

Job summary

Novartis is seeking a Global Program Safety Lead - Oncology in London. You will own end-to-end safety strategy for programs across development and lifecycle, lead safety governance, and drive cross-functional decisions with clinical, regulatory, and health authority partners.

The role requires a medical degree (PhD/PharmD preferred), 5+ years in pharmaceutical development, and 2+ years in pharmacovigilance or medical safety. Hybrid work with some on-site presence in London is offered.

Qualifications

• Medical degree or equivalent required; doctoral degree or PharmD preferred.
• 5+ years’ experience in pharmaceutical drug development in a global org.
• 3+ years of postdoctoral, patient-facing clinical experience.
• 2+ years in drug safety/pharmacovigilance or medical safety roles.
• Proven benefit‑risk evaluation and safety assessment expertise.
• Experience preparing safety sections of regulatory submissions.
• Strong leadership of cross‑functional, multicultural teams.
• Fluency in English, both spoken and written.

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 sources.
• Chair and drive Safety Management Teams to ensure timely safety decisions.
• Own and deliver core medical safety documents with consistency and rigor.
• Guide benefit‑risk evaluations and safety positioning for regulatory submissions.

Skills

Safety leadership

Global collaboration

Clinical safety assessment

Regulatory submissions

English fluency

Education

Medical degree

Doctoral degree or PharmD preferred

Job description

Salary Range: £83,510.00 - £155,090.00 Band Level 6

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.

Job Description

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) #LI-Hybrid #LI-Remote. 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

Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: GB£ 83,510 to 155,090

• In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters.
• 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.
• Long-term equity awards granted at group level may also be part of your package.
• In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters.

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

Further details will be provided during the application process.

Skills Desired Clinical Research, Clinical Trials, Leadership, Process Safety Management, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management, Safety Science