Vendor Program Head - Global Clinical Operations

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Total rewards package

Parental leave

Job summary

Novartis is seeking a Vendor Program Head in London to lead the vendor strategy and governance for the Development Unit (DU). The role oversees a global vendor portfolio, aligns with DU priorities, and partners with senior leaders to ensure delivery and quality of outsourced services.

The position supports hybrid/remote work options with a focus on strategic leadership, stakeholder collaboration, and continuous improvement in a complex, matrixed organization.

Qualifications

• This role requires a life sciences background and pharmaceutical development experience.
• Experience leading global teams in a complex matrix organization.
• Strong stakeholder management and vendor governance skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead Vendor Program Strategy Directors and Trial Vendor Managers to meet DU objectives.
• Own vendor strategy and oversee its execution across clinical trials.
• Develop high-performing teams and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Vendor Management

Program Governance

Leadership

Clinical Trials

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Salary Range:

£83,510.00 - £155,090.00

Job Description Summary

#LI-Hybrid

Primary Location: Westworks, London, UK

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

This role can be offered on a Remote Home Worker contract, subject to eligibility criteria being met. This can be discussed at interview as appropriate.

As Vendor Program Head within Vendor Partnerships & Governance (VPG), GCO Development, you will lead the Development Unit (DU) vendor strategy, portfolio oversight, and vendor management community supporting clinical development programs within a specific disease area. This senior leadership role is accountable for driving DU vendor priorities, leading the DU-aligned Vendor Program Strategy Director and Trial Vendor Management communities, and serving as the primary Vendor Partnerships & Governance partner to DU leadership.

Job Description

The VPH is accountable for the team responsible for developing vendor strategies and overseeing vendor execution across DU programs and clinical trials, ensuring alignment with development priorities, delivery objectives, portfolio milestones, and quality expectations. Through strong collaboration with internal leaders, stakeholders, and strategic vendor partners, the VPH plays a critical role in advancing DU objectives and enabling the quality, efficiency, and timely delivery of outsourced services.

Working in a complex and evolving environment, you will strengthen organizational effectiveness, champion innovation, and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Success in this role requires strategic thinking, sound judgement, and the ability to lead and inspire teams, and drive positive change at scale while keeping patients at the center of everything we do.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the DU-aligned Vendor Program Strategy Directors, Trial Vendor Management Community Leads, and Trial Vendor Managers community to deliver DU Vendor portfolio, program, and clinical trial objectives.
• Own the DU-level vendor strategy and oversee its execution, ensuring program-level vendor strategies align with development priorities, operational goals, portfolio demand, and clinical trial milestones.
• Build and develop high-performing teams, fostering accountability, inclusion, collaboration, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Assess DU portfolio health and evolve vendor strategies across programs, applying lessons learned, category insights, and innovative approaches to strengthen overall DU vendor delivery.
• Serve as the primary Vendor Partnerships & Governance partner to the GCO DU Head and collaborate with senior stakeholders across Global Clinical Operations and Development to align priorities, inform decisions, and drive vendor related portfolio outcomes.
• Represent Vendor Partnerships & Governance in DU strategic planning and early portfolio forums, bringing forward vendor demand, portfolio insights, risks, mitigation strategies, and opportunities for cross-program standardization or innovation.
• Lead through complexity and organizational change, enabling teams to navigate while maintaining focus on quality, delivery, and patient impact.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Healthcare, or a related discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• Typically 10+ years of experience with pharmaceutical clinical drug development.
• Proven experience leading global teams and managing associates within a complex matrix organization.
• Extensive knowledge of clinical development processes, with the ability to align vendor team objectives to DU priorities and deliver successful portfolio outcomes
• Strong leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to advocate for and implement new ways of working.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, influencing, and relationship-building skills, including the ability to engage senior DU and Development leaders, align cross-functional partners, and work effectively across organizational boundaries.
• Proven ability to lead across organizational boundaries, navigate ambiguity, and drive successful outcomes in a complex matrix environment.

Desirable Requirements

• Advanced degree in Life Sciences, Healthcare, Pharmacy, or a related scientific discipline.
• Strong scientific and/or operational understanding of one or more core therapeutic areas, including Oncology, Immunology, Neuroscience, or Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases.

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:

£83,510.00 - £155,090.00 Annual

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.

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

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

You'll receive:

You can find everything you need to know about our benefits and rewards in the Novartis Life Handbook. https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams' representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Skills Desired

Accountability, Change Management, Clinical Research, Clinical Trials, Drug Development, Leadership, Matrix Management, People Management, Pharmaceutical Industry, Pharmaceutical Strategy, Portfolio Strategies, Program Governance, Program Management, Project Management, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management, Vendor Management, Vendor Oversight, Vendor Partnerships