Senior Director, Regulatory Affairs Strategy (Strategy Lead, RA Enabling Functions)

Novartis; London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A global pharmaceutical company is seeking a Strategy Lead to drive planning and performance management for their Regulatory Affairs group in London. This role requires significant experience in strategy and innovation, as well as strong project management and leadership skills. The successful candidate will manage key processes and resources, ensuring efficient project execution. Competitive compensation and a hybrid work model are offered.

Qualifications

• Fluent in English (oral and written).
• Significant experience in global strategy, innovation, or management consulting.
• Proven ability to lead and manage people within a global matrix environment.
• Strong project management skills.
• Solid background in budget, finance, and resource management.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert for Regulatory Affairs activities.
• Drive essential processes and inform resource prioritization.
• Deliver robust governance for effective resource allocation.
• Lead value-based projects to transform RA functional health.
• Act as a key liaison to senior stakeholders.

Skills

Clinical Trials

Cross-Functional Teams

Drug Development

Lifesciences

Negotiation Skills

People Management

Problem Solving Skills

Regulatory Compliance

Risk Management

Strategy Execution

Job description

Overview

Job Description Summary
#LI-Hybrid (12 days per month on-site)
Location: London (The Westworks), United Kingdom
Internal Job Title: Strategy Lead, RA Enabling Functions

We are seeking a strategic leader to drive planning, business process excellence, and performance management for our RA Enabling Functions group. Leveraging insights from across Novartis Development and the external landscape, you will translate strategy into actionable plans, lead high-impact projects, and build lasting strategic capabilities. Strong data management, analytics, and thought leadership are essential, as is the ability to influence through matrixed leadership.

Major accountabilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert, maintaining oversight of Regulatory Affairs (RA) activities to support portfolio needs, objectives, and project execution.
• Drive essential processes, analyze KPIs/metrics, and provide recommendations to inform resource prioritization and budget allocation for the RA Enabling Functions Leadership Team (EF-LT).
• Deliver robust EF-LT governance, enabling timely, informed decision-making and effective resource allocation.
• Enhance EF-LT effectiveness by managing team processes and introducing tools to build team performance.
• Lead value-based projects to transform RA functional health and core competencies.
• Act as a key liaison and sparring partner to senior stakeholders across RA, Development, Biomedical Research, and Commercial functions.
• Develop compelling business cases for leadership endorsement and alignment.
• Create and manage annual operating plans and management rhythms, supporting proactive planning and efficient leadership team operations.

Minimum requirements

• Fluent in English (oral and written).
• Significant experience in global strategy, innovation, or management consulting; specific experience in Regulatory Affairs is preferred.
• Proven ability to lead and manage people within a global matrix environment.
• Strong project management skills with a demonstrated ability to optimize ways of working.
• Solid background in budget, finance, and resource management within pharmaceutical research and development settings.
• Demonstrated ability to create strategic objectives and plans based on internal and external assessments.
• Excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills, strong decision-making abilities, and outstanding written and visual communication skills.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse team's representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Skills Desired

Clinical Trials, Cross-Functional Teams, Drug Development, Lifesciences, Negotiation Skills, People Management, Problem Solving Skills, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management, Strategy Execution