Therapy Area Communications & Patient Advocacy Lead

GB16 (FCRS = GB016) Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd.; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 66,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible & hybrid working options

Parental leave (14 weeks)

Job summary

Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd. seeks a Therapy Area Communications & Patient Advocacy Lead in London.

This hybrid role drives patient-focused communications, partners with patient organizations, and shapes strategy using data-driven insights and AI tools across launch and in-market activities. You will collaborate with senior leaders and global teams to elevate patient voices, influence outcomes, and integrate communications across therapeutic areas while supporting accessible healthcare

Qualifications

• Significant experience in communications and patient advocacy within a complex organization.
• Proven experience delivering strategic communications programmes.
• Artificial intelligence and data fluency to drive insights and decisions.
• Strong knowledge of digital communications, including social media strategy.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute communications and patient advocacy strategies aligned with therapeutic area priorities.
• Build trusted partnerships with business leaders to provide strategic communications counsel.
• Partner with patient advocacy organizations to strengthen patient engagement and healthcare access initiatives.
• Lead launch communications plans across pre-launch, launch, and in-market brand activities.
• Use data, analytics, and AI insights to guide decisions and measure impact.
• Collaborate with corporate, regional, and global teams to drive aligned communications strategies.
• Foster a high-performing, inclusive team culture that encourages innovation and collaboration.

Skills

Communications & Patient Advocacy

Strategic Communications

Data-driven insights

Digital communications

Media relations

Stakeholder engagement

Influencing senior stakeholders

Education

Degree in Communications / Public Affairs / Patient Advocacy / Marketing

Job description

Salary Range: £65,590.00 - £121,810.00

Job Description Summary

Job Title: Therapy Area Communications & Patient Advocacy Lead #LI-Hybrid

Location: London, United Kingdom

Relocation Support: This role is based in London, United Kingdom. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible.

Are you passionate about shaping healthcare conversations that make a real difference for patients? As Therapy Area Communications & Patient Advocacy Lead, you will play a pivotal role in elevating the voice of patients while driving innovative communications strategies across a key therapeutic area. Working at the intersection of communications, patient advocacy, data-driven insights, and business strategy, you will partner with senior leaders, patient organizations, and global teams to influence outcomes, support successful product journeys, and help create an environment where patients remain at the heart of every decision. This is an exciting opportunity to lead meaningful change, drive measurable impact, and help shape the future of healthcare communications at Novartis.

Job Description Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute communications and patient advocacy strategies aligned with therapeutic area priorities.
• Build trusted partnerships with business leaders to provide strategic communications counsel.
• Partner with patient advocacy organizations to strengthen patient engagement and healthcare access initiatives.
• Lead launch communications plans across pre-launch, launch, and in-market brand activities.
• Use data, analytics, and artificial intelligence insights to guide decisions and measure impact.
• Collaborate with corporate, regional, and global teams to drive aligned communications strategies.
• Foster a high-performing, inclusive team culture that encourages innovation, learning, and collaboration.

Essential Requirements

• Degree in communications, public affairs, patient advocacy, marketing, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in communications and patient advocacy within a complex organizational environment.
• Proven experience developing and delivering strategic communications programmes.
• Artificial intelligence and data fluency, including the use of artificial intelligence tools to drive efficiency, generate insights, and improve decision-making, with an understanding of artificial intelligence's impact on the external healthcare and communications landscape.
• Strong knowledge of digital communications, including social media strategy and execution.
• Experience building partnerships with patient organizations and healthcare stakeholders.
• Demonstrated expertise in media relations, stakeholder engagement, and policy communications.
• Excellent influencing skills with the ability to engage senior stakeholders across functions.

Desirable Requirements

• High level of accountability, agility, and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams without direct authority.

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: £65,590.00 to £121,810.00 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. You may be eligible for a company vehicle or a car allowance in accordance with the applicable local Novartis policies and guidelines. 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.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion / EEO paragraph

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

Skills Desired

• Business Communications
• Collaboration
• Communication Medium (Inactive)
• Curious Mindset
• Employee Engagement
• Internal Communications (Ic) (Inactive)
• Marketing
• Media Relations
• Multimedia (Inactive)
• Photography
• Social Media
• Strategic Communication Planning
• W3 (Inactive)

Improving the lives of people living with disease takes more than innovative science. It takes a focus on the needs of people and a community committed to meeting them. It takes a team of people like you. Working together. Learning together. Thriving together. Discover how you can join us in changing people’s lives.

In the context of China Cross-Border Data Transfer (CBDT) policy, if you need to apply for a position in China, please go to the local Recruiting System TaleNov.