Associate Director, Solution Architecture & Integration

Novartis India; Hyderabad; Hybrid; INR 3,800,000 - 7,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis India is seeking an Associate Director, Clinical Solution Architecture - AI & Digital Platforms to lead the design and delivery of innovative technology solutions for Global Clinical Operations. This role blends enterprise architecture with AI-enabled digital platforms and requires collaboration across business, engineering, and security teams.

The ideal candidate will drive architecture governance, leverage cloud platforms, and guide modern AI patterns such as LLMs and AI agents to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS, engineering, or related discipline.
• Extensive experience in solution and enterprise architecture.
• Experience designing enterprise-scale integrations, cloud, and data platforms.
• Knowledge of AI technologies and architecture patterns.

Responsibilities

• Design end-to-end technology solutions for Global Clinical Operations.
• Create architecture blueprints and integration strategies.
• Lead architecture reviews and governance activities.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and security teams.

Skills

Solution architecture

Enterprise architecture

API management

Cloud technologies

AI / Generative AI

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS or related field

Tools

LeanIX

ADOIT

Bizzdesign

Job description

Summary

Location: Hyderabad, India
Working Model: Hybrid
Division: Development Data, Digital & IT (DDIT)
Function: Global Clinical Operations (GCO)

About The Role

At Novartis, we are reimagining medicine through data, digital, AI, and advanced technologies. We are seeking an experienced Associate Director, Clinical Solution Architecture - AI & Digital Platforms to lead the design and delivery of innovative technology solutions supporting Global Clinical Operations.

This role sits at the intersection of clinical business transformation, enterprise architecture, AI innovation, and digital platform engineering. You will partner with business leaders, product teams, engineers, data experts, and security specialists to architect scalable, secure, compliant, and future‑ready solutions that accelerate clinical development and operational excellence.

The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in enterprise solution architecture, integration architecture, cloud platforms, digital products, and emerging AI technologies, with the ability to translate complex business requirements into practical technology solutions.

Solution & Enterprise Architecture

• Design end-to-end technology solutions supporting Global Clinical Operations and broader Development business capabilities.
• Create architecture blueprints, solution designs, integration strategies, and technical specifications that support scalable and sustainable delivery.
• Ensure solution alignment with enterprise architecture standards, security requirements, quality expectations, and technology roadmaps.
• Provide technical leadership throughout the solution lifecycle, from concept through implementation and operational support.

AI & Digital Platforms

• Design and govern AI-enabled solutions leveraging Machine Learning, Generative AI, intelligent automation, and advanced analytics platforms.
• Define architecture patterns for modern AI capabilities including large language models (LLMs), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), vector databases, AI agents, orchestration frameworks, and intelligent workflow automation.
• Partner with AI platform, engineering, and security teams to ensure solutions are scalable, secure, explainable, compliant, and operationally sustainable.
• Evaluate new technologies and provide recommendations on build, buy, or partner approaches.

Integration, Cloud & Technology Strategy

• Architect enterprise integrations across APIs, event-driven platforms, cloud-native services, data platforms, and SaaS ecosystems.
• Lead architecture reviews, technical assessments, and technology evaluations for strategic initiatives.
• Drive adoption of reusable architecture patterns, security‑by‑design principles, and AI‑ready technology frameworks.
• Support governance activities, architecture approvals, risk assessments, and compliance reviews.

Stakeholder Leadership

• Collaborate with business stakeholders, product owners, engineering teams, delivery leaders, and external partners.
• Influence technology direction and architecture decisions across multiple business functions and technology domains.
• Contribute to strategic technology planning and continuous improvement initiatives.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related technical discipline.
• Extensive experience in solution architecture, enterprise architecture, application architecture, or technology consulting.
• Proven experience designing and delivering complex enterprise‑scale solutions involving applications, integrations, cloud platforms, and data ecosystems.
• Strong knowledge of integration architecture, API management, cloud technologies, and modern software engineering practices.
• Experience with AI, Machine Learning, Generative AI, intelligent automation, conversational AI, or advanced analytics platforms.
• Understanding of AI architecture patterns, LLMs, RAG, vector databases, AI agents, and model orchestration frameworks.
• Experience working with commercial software platforms (SaaS/COTS) within enterprise environments.
• Strong understanding of architecture governance, security, data privacy, risk management, and solution lifecycle management.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with experience influencing both technical and business audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within Life Sciences, Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, Clinical Development, or other regulated environments.
• Knowledge of Computer System Validation (CSV), GxP controls, and regulatory technology requirements.
• Experience with enterprise architecture frameworks and modelling techniques such as TOGAF and ArchiMate.
• Experience using architecture repository and portfolio management tools such as LeanIX, ADOIT, Bizzdesign, or equivalent.
• Relevant cloud architecture certifications (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• AI or Generative AI architecture certifications.

Ideal Candidate Profile

We Are Particularly Interested In Professionals Currently Working As:

• Lead Solution Architect
• Integration Architect
• Cloud Solution Architect
• Technology Architect
• AI Solutions Architect
• Clinical Technology Architect

from Life Sciences, Healthcare, Technology, Consulting, SaaS, Cloud, Financial Services, or other large‑scale enterprise environments.

Why Join Novartis?

Join a team that is transforming how clinical operations leverage data, digital platforms, and AI to accelerate innovation and improve patient outcomes worldwide. You will have the opportunity to influence strategic technology decisions, work with cutting‑edge AI capabilities, and help shape the future of digital clinical development.

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.

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