Innovation Capability Director - Global Clinical Operations (GCO)

Novartis Ireland; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 168,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance plans

Retirement plans

Wellbeing resources

Global recognition programs

Flexible and hybrid working options

14 weeks parental leave

Job summary

Novartis Ireland in Dublin is seeking an Innovation Capability Director for Global Clinical Operations to drive scalable recruitment innovations across global trials. You will partner with study teams, technology partners and cross-functional stakeholders to deliver measurable improvements in patient recruitment and engagement.

The role requires extensive experience in digital patient recruitment, AI-enabled approaches and cross-functional leadership within pharmaceutical development, with a

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Life Sciences, Healthcare or related discipline, or equivalent education/experience.
• At least five years’ clinical trial innovation or solution delivery experience, especially in recruitment.
• At least seven years’ experience in pharmaceutical clinical drug development and operations.
• Proven digital recruitment expertise using digital marketing strategies.
• Experience applying AI-enabled methods to recruitment, matching or selection in trials.
• Strong knowledge of clinical development processes and GCP.

Responsibilities

• Lead adoption and scaling of innovative recruitment solutions across global trials.
• Partner with study teams, tech providers and stakeholders to deliver recruitment innovations.
• Govern, manage risk and continuously improve innovation initiatives.
• Evaluate digital and AI-enabled approaches to improve patient recruitment outcomes.
• Develop scalable frameworks and best practices for sustainable adoption.
• Identify emerging tech and trends to strengthen capability and leadership.
• Influence strategy and represent Novartis across the clinical research ecosystem.

Skills

Digital patient recruitment

AI-enabled recruitment

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Regulatory/GCP knowledge

Clinical operations experience

Education

Advanced degree in Life Sciences/Healthcare

Tools

AI tools for recruitment

Digital marketing platforms

Job description

Summary Location: Dublin, Ireland. Novartis operates a Hybrid working policy with an expectation of 12 days per month onsite. Relocation and visa support is not available for this position. Please only apply if this location is accessible.

Innovation in patient recruitment has never been more critical to bringing medicines to patients faster. As Innovation Capability Director - Global Clinical Operations, you will lead the identification, implementation and scaling of innovative recruitment and patient engagement solutions that improve clinical trial participation around the world. Working across global study teams, technology partners and cross-functional stakeholders, you will transform promising ideas into scalable capabilities that deliver measurable impact for patients, sites and clinical programs. This is a highly visible leadership role for an innovation expert with proven digital patient recruitment experience, a passion for advancing clinical research and the ability to shape strategy while driving execution in a complex global environment. You will bring deep expertise in digital marketing for patient recruitment, including emerging and artificial intelligence-enabled approaches that improve how patients are identified, engaged and connected with clinical trials.

About The Role

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the adoption and scaling of innovative solutions that improve clinical trial recruitment, participation and patient experience.
• Partner with global study teams, technology providers and cross-functional stakeholders to deliver impactful patient recruitment innovations.
• Drive implementation, governance, risk management and continuous improvement of innovation initiatives across global clinical programs.
• Evaluate digital, data-driven and artificial intelligence-enabled approaches to improve patient identification, engagement and recruitment outcomes.
• Develop scalable frameworks, processes and best practices that support sustainable adoption of successful recruitment innovations.
• Identify emerging technologies, industry trends and recruitment approaches that strengthen organizational capability and innovation leadership.
• Serve as a trusted expert, influencing strategy, building capability and representing Novartis across the clinical research ecosystem.

Essential Requirements

• Advanced degree in Life Sciences, Healthcare or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant education and experience.
• At least five years’ clinical trial innovation or solution delivery experience, particularly within clinical trial recruitment.
• At least seven years’ experience within pharmaceutical clinical drug development and a strong understanding of clinical trial operations.
• Proven digital patient recruitment expertise, including developing and implementing digital marketing strategies to identify and engage potential trial participants.
• Experience applying digital tools and artificial intelligence-enabled methods to patient recruitment, selection or matching in clinical trials.
• Strong knowledge of clinical development processes, regulatory requirements and Good Clinical Practice.
• Demonstrated success translating strategy into cross-functional programs and projects within a complex global matrix environment.
• Strong project management, influencing and problem-solving capabilities, with the autonomy and agility to navigate ambiguity and challenge established approaches.

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: €90,300.00 - €167,700.00 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.

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.

Why Novartis:

Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Benefits and Rewards:

Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally. Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)