Principal Statistical Programmer

Novartis; London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Principal Statistical Programmer to lead statistical programming for pivotal studies. This role involves collaboration with biostatistics and requires advanced SAS skills and a strong understanding of industry standards like CDISC. You will coordinate programming activities, mentor team members, and ensure the timely delivery of high-quality outputs. This position offers a hybrid working model, allowing you to balance your professional and personal life while contributing to meaningful drug development projects. Join a passionate team dedicated to improving patient outcomes and making a difference in the lives of many.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Professional development opportunities

Wellness programs

Employee assistance programs

Paid time off

Work-life balance initiatives

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in programming supporting clinical trials.
• Advanced SAS skills and knowledge of industry standards.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead statistical programming for large studies and ensure compliance.
• Coordinate activities of programmers and mentor team members.
• Develop programming specifications for analysis datasets.

Skills

SAS

Statistical Analysis

Programming Specifications

Communication Skills

Negotiation Skills

Education

BA/BS/MS in Statistics

Equivalent in Computer Science

Life Sciences

Tools

CDISC Standards

eCRF

Job description

Join to apply for the Principal Statistical Programmer role at Novartis.

Summary

Responsible for all statistical programming/data review reporting and analytics development aspects of several studies, a medium to large-sized project or project-level activities. Acts as a key collaborator and strategic partner in ensuring that drug-development plans are executed efficiently with timely and high-quality deliverables. Complies with project/study standards and specifications following internal and regulatory guidelines. Oversees programming style, quality of statistical reporting, and compliance with timelines.

About The Role

Our Development Team is guided by our purpose: to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. We are optimizing and strengthening our processes and ways of working, investing in new technologies, and building specific therapeutic area and platform depth and capabilities to bring our medicines to patients even faster. We seek talented individuals like you to join us in giving people with disease and their families a brighter future. Apply today and join a place where we thrive together!

The Role

The Principal Statistical Programmer is responsible for all statistical programming aspects of large/pivotal studies, several studies, or project-level activities, including submission activities. The role involves collaboration with biostatistics to ensure efficient execution of drug-development plans with timely and high-quality deliverables. This position offers hybrid working, requiring 3 days per week in our London office.

Key Accountabilities

1. Lead statistical programming activities for large/pivotal studies or several studies, or act as a Lead/Programmer for a small to medium-sized project in phase I to IV clinical studies.
2. Coordinate activities of all programmers, mentor team members, and make programming decisions at study or project level.
3. Build and maintain effective cross-functional relationships, discussing deliverables, timelines, scope, and resources.
4. Review eCRF, data structures, and participate in data review activities.
5. Ensure compliance with standards (e.g., CDISC) and develop programming specifications.
6. Provide and implement statistical programming solutions, sharing knowledge across teams.
7. Develop programming specifications for analysis datasets in consultation with statisticians.
8. Ensure timely, high-quality development and validation of datasets and outputs for reports, submissions, safety reports, publications, or exploratory analyses.
9. Maintain quality control and audit readiness of all deliverables, ensuring accuracy and reliability of results.
10. Stay updated on programming software (e.g., SAS) and industry standards, attending meetings and trainings.
11. Establish effective relationships with external partners and contribute to process improvements.

Your Experience

• BA/BS/MS or equivalent in statistics, computer science, mathematics, life sciences, or related field.
• Ideally 5+ years of experience in a programming role supporting clinical trials or in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Advanced SAS skills and experience in developing and validating deliverables.
• Experience with statistical analysis plans and programming specifications.
• Knowledge of industry standards like CDISC and regulatory requirements (e.g., GCP).
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to work globally.
• Experience as Trial Programmer and coordinating internal/external programmers.

Why Novartis

Helping people with disease takes more than science; it takes a community of passionate people. Join us to collaborate, support, and inspire each other to achieve breakthroughs that change lives. Create a brighter future together: https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Commitment To Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to building an inclusive, diverse team that reflects the communities we serve.

Join Our Novartis Network

If this role isn’t right for you, sign up to our talent community to stay connected: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network

Benefits and Rewards

Learn about our benefits and rewards to thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards