AI-Driven External Innovation Director (BD & S&E)

Novartis; United States; Hybrid; USD 176,000 - 328,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) with company match

Vacation and holidays

Job summary

Novartis in Cambridge, MA is seeking a senior leader to oversee the search, evaluation, and prioritization of external AI-enabled opportunities in Biomed R&D. You will develop strategic perspectives on emerging AI technologies, datasets, and companies, while identifying high-impact partnerships aligned with Novartis priorities.

The role requires leading due diligence on complex AI opportunities, presenting governance-ready recommendations to senior leaders, and building scalable engagement with

Qualifications

• Delivery of high-quality AI landscapes and strategic perspectives that inform C&BD and R&D prioritization.
• Identification and advancement of differentiated AI-enabled R&D opportunities aligned with Novartis priorities.
• Timely and rigorous triage/diligence of AI opportunities with clear recommendations and well-documented rationale.
• Strong external network coverage across AI biotech, technology, academic, and VC ecosystems.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of AI-focused S&E strategy in priority R&D areas, translating internal scientific and business priorities into external search themes and actionable landscapes.
• Develop and maintain strategic landscapes across AI-enabled R&D, including company mapping, technology segmentation, financing and deal trends, and prioritization of opportunities.
• Lead complex triage and diligence efforts for AI platform, data, model, and end-to-end discovery/development opportunities, coordinating cross-functional input.
• Assess technical and strategic differentiation of external AI opportunities, including evidence strength, data access and quality, model validation, wet/dry lab integration, implementation path, partner maturity, and fit with Novartis R&D needs.
• Prepare and present high-quality decision materials for S&E, C&BD, and R&D leadership, including strategic recommendations, governance updates, deal rationale, and clear next-step proposals.
• Build strong internal alignment with BR, Development, Data/Digital/IT, and other enabling functions to translate R&D priorities into actionable search themes, partnering strategies, and high-impact external opportunities.
• Develop and maintain external relationships with AI biotech and technology companies, venture investors, incubators, academic groups, and industry thought leaders.
• Monitor competitor activity, investment trends, BD deal-making, and technology inflection points in AI-enabled R&D to inform Novartis positioning and engagement strategy.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of S&E processes, including AI-specific diligence frameworks, company tracking, landscape refreshing cadence, and governance standards.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Executive communication

Cross-functional leadership

Diligence & triage

Education

PhD/MD/PharmD preferred

MBA or equivalent experience

Job description

Novartis in Cambridge, MA is seeking a senior leader to oversee the search, evaluation, and prioritization of external AI-enabled opportunities in Biomed R&D. You will develop strategic perspectives on emerging AI technologies, datasets, and companies, while identifying high-impact partnerships aligned with Novartis priorities.

The role requires leading due diligence on complex AI opportunities, presenting governance-ready recommendations to senior leaders, and building scalable engagement with