Associate Director, Governance & Operations

Biopharma Careers; Hyderabad; On-site; INR 17,013,000 - 22,684,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis is seeking a senior leader to head Governance & Operations, driving scalable processes, trusted data, and AI-enabled digital platforms across International, Medical and Value & Access functions.

You will lead a global team, establish a robust operating model, and partner with Finance, Procurement, and regional stakeholders to deliver operational excellence and value realization through modern tools and governance practices.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in governance, operations, or digital transformation.
• Proven leadership of cross-functional governance programs.
• Experience with AI, automation, and data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute Governance & Operations priorities, roadmap, and service model aligned to CLS priorities.
• Establish governance frameworks, operating procedures, service standards, and performance metrics.
• Drive process simplification, standardization, and continuous improvement across operational processes.
• Ensure operational governance supports business priorities, compliance requirements, and organizational objectives.
• Lead governance forums, reviews, and cross-functional decision-making discussions.
• Own the portfolio of Governance & Operation tools, dashboards, and automation solutions.

Skills

Governance

Operations leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Tools

Power BI

Power Apps

Power Automate

SharePoint

Job description

The Associate Director, Governance & Operations leads a Governance & Operations team within BSI Operations with full accountability to enable operational excellence for BSI and International Commercial, Medical and Value & Access functions.The role serves as the operational backbone for BSI, ensuring scalable processes, trusted data, efficient digital & AI solutions, and decision-enabling insights that support business priorities across International, functions and markets. The Associate Director drives operational excellence through strong governance, AI-enabled innovation, BSI Operations tools ownership, and continuous process simplification while ensuring alignment with BSI, CLS, Finance, P&O, DDIT, CLS, and regional stakeholders. The position is responsible for defining and evolving the Governance & Operations operating model, ensuring high adoption of tools, process adherence, robust data quality and controls, and sustainable value creation across BSI Operations

Key responsibilities:

• Governance & Operating Model LeadershipDefine and execute the Governance & Operations priorities, roadmap, and service model aligned to CLS priorities.
• Establish governance frameworks, operating procedures, service standards, and performance metrics.
• Drive process simplification, standardization, and continuous improvement across operational processes.
• Ensure operational governance supports business priorities, compliance requirements, and organizational objectives.
• Lead governance forums, reviews, and cross-functional decision-making discussions.
• Platform, Process & Product OwnershipOwn the portfolio of Governance & Operation tools, dashboards, and automation solutions.
• Govern enhancement roadmaps, release planning, adoption performance, and user experience standards.
• Ensure key operational processes including workforce planning, travel approvals, centralized purchasing enablement, demand tracking, budget management, and operational reporting are effectively supported through digital solutions.
• Establish a scalable and sustainable operating model for platform ownership and support.
• Data Governance, Reporting & InsightsOwn BSI data governance, data quality, integrity, and reporting strategy.
• Ensure trusted, timely, and decision-enabling reporting across workforce, budget, demand, portfolio, and operational performance domains.
• Establish data quality controls, source-data accountability, and governance processes with business and functional stakeholders.
• Drive maturity of reporting capabilities through Power BI, automation, and advanced analytics.
• Ensure operational metrics and insights support leadership decision making. turn9search1Digital Transformation & AI EnablementLead digital transformation initiatives across Governance & Operations.
• Drive adoption of Power Platform, automation, AI/GenAI, and workflow simplification opportunities.
• Evaluate and scale Agentic AI and intelligent automation use cases where business value is demonstrated.
• Drive innovation through continuous modernization of tools, processes, and operating practices. Lead by example with hands‑on experimentation.
• Improve operational productivity and user experience through technology‑enabled solutions.
• Organization Leadership & Stakeholder ManagementLead organization design, resource planning, capability building, succession planning, and talent development.
• Build strong partnerships with Finance, P&O, DDIT, Procurement, CLS, and BSI leadership teams.
• Drive stakeholder alignment, governance compliance, and value realization across BSI Operations.
• Lead prioritization, risk management, and portfolio governance across multiple initiatives.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, customer‑centricity, and operational excellence.
• Governance and operating model design
• Enterprise data governance and controls
• Digital platform strategy and product ownership
• GenAI, AI and MS Power Platform ecosystem (Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, SharePoint)
• AI, automation, and digital innovation
• Workforce planning and operational governance
• Budget, spend, and portfolio governance
• Reporting and analytics strategy
• Senior stakeholder management and influencing
• Organization leadership and capability development
• Risk management and prioritization
• Change leadership and transformation management

Essential Requirements:

• Delivery of Governance & Operations roadmap and strategic priorities
• Adoption and value realization of AI enabled digital platforms and operational tools, incl. hands‑on experimentation & innovation
• Improvement in data quality, governance maturity, and reporting trust
• Operational efficiency gains through automation and AI enablement
• Effectiveness of workforce planning, budget governance, and operational reporting
• Timely delivery of platform enhancements and transformation initiatives
• Stakeholder satisfaction and governance effectiveness
• Team engagement, capability development, and succession readiness

Ideal Background

15+ years of relevant experience in operations, governance, digital & AI transformation, business excellence, or related leadership roles.

Proven experience leading governance, automation, or operational excellence functions.

Experience managing digital & AI products, and transformation initiatives.

Strong understanding of workforce planning, process excellence, and operational controls.

Experience working across Finance, P&O, Procurement, DDIT, and business functions in a global environment.

Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional programs and organizational change initiatives.

Strong strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.

Experience building and leading high-performing teams and operational excellence.

Strong digital & AI mindset with proven hands‑on experience in AI, automation, and data-driven decision making.

Proven hands‑on experience in using AI/GenAI (e.g. Co-Pilot Studio and Cowork or other similar platforms like Claude or ChatGPT), and MS Power Platform ecosystem (Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, SharePoint).

Pharmaceutical, healthcare, life sciences, or similarly regulated industry experience preferred.

Desirable Requirements:

• Strategic Leadership
• Governance & Operating Model Design
• Digital Transformation
• Product & Platform Governance
• Data Governance & Stewardship
• Workforce Planning Governance
• AI & Automation Leadership
• Stakeholder Influence
• Organizational Development
• Change Leadership
• Operational Excellence
• Continuous Improvement
• Risk Management

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:

Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards