Associate Director, Content Approval Operations

Novartis Group Companies; East Hanover (NJ); On-site; USD 152,600 - 283,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability benefits

401(k) with company contribution

Generous time off package

Job summary

Novartis Group Companies seeks an Associate Director in East Hanover, NJ, to lead Content Approval Operations. You will manage the Material Approval Process and drive continuous improvement while leading a dedicated team. Successful candidates will have extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry and demonstrate strong leadership skills.

This role requires local candidates as it is not remote. It offers a competitive salary between $152,600 and $283,400 per year, alongside a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in pharmaceutical marketing operations or content approval.
• Strong understanding of FDA promotional regulations and MAP/MLR review processes.
• At least one year of leadership experience.
• Proven ability to work with operational metrics and performance data.

Responsibilities

• Lead the execution and improvement of Content Approval Services.
• Oversee end-to-end progression of claims through the Material Approval Process.
• Support execution of MAP workflows across brands to enhance compliance and efficiency.
• Lead and develop teams to drive performance.

Skills

Agility

Customer Engagement

Customer Experience

Data Analytics

Digital Marketing

Marketing Strategy

Stakeholder Management

Team Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or related discipline

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Veeva

Aprimo

Job description

Job Description Summary

Novartis has an exciting opportunity for an Associate Director, Content Approval Operations, to lead the execution and continuous improvement of Content Approval Services related to Core Claims, Reference Librarian resources, and Workflow Management Capabilities training Master Teams List. This role has shared accountability for functionally overseeing and setting priorities for the team and ensuring disciplined, compliant, and predictable execution of the Material Approval Process (MAP). The Associate Director acts as an operational anchor and escalation partner, translating strategy into execution, enabling foundational AI & Automation that will reduce risk, effort and unlock team performance, ensuring strong collaboration across Medical, Legal, Regulatory (MLR), Marketing, Agencies, and Operations partners.

This position will be based in East Hanover, NJ and will not have the ability to be located remotely. Please note that this role would not provide relocation, and only local candidates will be considered. This position will require up to 5% travel as defined by the business (domestic and or international).

Key Responsibilities

Claims & Reference Operations Governance

• Partner with Core Claims and Medical teams to ensure compliant creation, governance, and maintenance of claims and reference content aligned to approved standards
• Oversee end-to-end progression of claims through the Material Approval Process (MAP), ensuring quality, traceability, and metadata accuracy
• Drive intake discipline, workload prioritization, and forecasting aligned to brand demand and enterprise priorities
• Ensure claims libraries and approved reference repositories remain current, auditable, and enabled for reuse

Material Approval Process (MAP) Execution & Optimization

• Support execution of MAP workflows across brands and functions, ensuring submission readiness, routing accuracy, and review efficiency while monitoring operational performance (throughput, cycle time, quality) and proactively address risks, bottlenecks, and rework drivers
• Partner with the Director to implement process improvements, including AI-assisted capabilities and automation, to enhance compliance and efficiency

People Leadership and Matrix Team Oversight

• Provide day-to-day functional oversight, prioritization, and coverage planning across Core Claims, References Operations, and Material Approval Enablement teams, including leading, coaching, and developing the teams and serving as a firstline escalation point for people, delivery, and operational challenges
• Serve as a first-line escalation point for operational, delivery, and team-related challenges, reinforcing governance and standardized ways of working.
• Lead or colead targeted improvement initiatives that enhance predictability, quality, and user experience

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Act as a trusted partner across Medical, Legal, Regulatory (MLR), Marketing, Agencies, and Operations, communicating status, risks, and recommendations clearly and proactively

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required in Business, Marketing, Communications, Information Management, or related discipline; advanced degree preferred
• 5+ years of experience in pharmaceutical marketing operations or pharmaceutical content approval with strong understanding of FDA promotional regulations and MAP/MLR review processes
• At least one year of people leadership of direct reports or team lead experience
• Experience with content approval and DAM platforms (e.g., Veeva, Aprimo)
• Proven ability to work with operational metrics, dashboards, and performance data
• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Ability to translate strategy into disciplined execution in complex, regulated environments
• Foundational AI literacy with the ability to apply critical thinking and compliance judgment

Desirable Requirements

• Experience integrating AI or automation into operational workflows

Compensation Summary

The salary for this position is expected to range between $152,600 and $283,400 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors such as relevant skills and experience, and will be reviewed periodically upon joining. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the role level, eligibility for annual equity awards.

US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. Employees are also eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.

EEO Statement

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Accessibility and Reasonable Accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e‑mail to [e-mail] or call [phone] and include the job requisition number in your message.

Skills Desired

• Agility
• Customer Engagement
• Customer Experience
• Customer Insights
• Data Analytics
• Data Strategy
• Digital Marketing
• Marketing Strategy
• Market Research
• Media Campaigns
• Product Marketing
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Stakeholder Management
• Team Leadership
• Waterfall Model