Associate Director, Marketing Program Governance

Novartis; East Hanover (NJ); On-site; USD 160,000 - 298,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis seeks an Associate Director, Marketing Program Governance to transform digital and channel marketing in the US IMO, establishing consistent governance across brands and driving compliant, efficient processes.

You will lead cross-functional teams, manage risk, and accelerate digital experiences with enterprise thinking and Agile practices, based in East Hanover, NJ with limited travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 5+ years in pharma/biotech or digital marketing ops.
• At least 1 year of experience in management consulting, IT consulting, or analytics.
• Working knowledge of FDA and pharmaceutical advertising/guidelines (MLR review).
• Strong understanding of digital advertising, creative development, and digital ecosystem policies.
• Experience with MLR systems such as Veeva Vault PromoMats or Aprimo, and DAM.
• Proficient in MS Office and Adobe Acrobat.
• Strong project/process management with Agile experience.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and engage senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Partner with marketing tech, privacy, regulatory, medical, and operations teams to launch compliant marketing capabilities.
• Establish channel execution requirements to strengthen compliance and operational efficiency.
• Advance digital innovation across brands with an enterprise mindset and AI where appropriate.
• Lead governance projects across channels including email, EHR, and SMS.
• Use Agile to standardize content requirements, workflows, and documentation.
• Gather requirements, define technical specs, and test solutions before deployment.
• Strengthen MAP via cross-brand oversight and centralized content capabilities.
• Align stakeholders on strategy and communicate opportunities/risks to senior leaders.
• Develop presentations, reference guides, system instructions, and Working Practice Documents; support audits.
• Use feedback cycles to improve content lifecycles, efficiency, and marketing performance.

Skills

Project management

Agile methodology

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Talent development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Digital Media, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Veeva Vault PromoMats

Aprimo Marketing Cloud

Digital Asset Management (DAM)

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Summary

As Associate Director, Marketing Program Governance, you will help transform digital and channel marketing across the US Integrated Marketing Organization (IMO) by establishing consistent, compliant governance across brands. You will strengthen accountability and accelerate digital experiences through proactive risk management, efficient operational processes, audit strategies, universal content standards, and clearly documented process mapping. In this highly visible role, you will shape the strategy, delivery, and management of marketing programs, with the opportunity to make a significant impact on how the organization executes.

About The Role

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 limited travel as defined by the business (domestic and/or international).

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with marketing technology, privacy, regulatory, medical, and operations teams to launch compliant marketing capabilities.
• Establish consistent channel execution requirements that strengthen compliance and operational efficiency.
• Advance digital innovation across brands, applying an enterprise mindset and AI where appropriate.
• Lead governance projects and provide expertise across channels, including headquarters-led email, electronic health records, and SMS.
• Use Agile practices to standardize content requirements, workflows, stakeholder responsibilities, and channel documentation.
• Gather requirements, define technical specifications, and test solutions before deployment.
• Strengthen the Material Approval Process (MAP) through cross-brand oversight and centralized content capabilities, ensuring MAP/MIST and channel compliance.
• Align stakeholders on program strategy and scope, and clearly communicate opportunities, risks, and benefits to senior leaders.
• Develop presentations, reference guides, system instructions, and Working Practice Documents; support internal and external audits and inquiries.
• Use structured feedback and optimization cycles to improve content lifecycles, operational efficiency, and marketing performance while meeting commercial and compliance requirements.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Business, Marketing, Digital Media, Computer Science, Engineering, Communications, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry and/or digital marketing operations, including product, marketing, or technology launch experience.
• At least 1 year of experience in management consulting, IT consulting, or analytics.
• Working knowledge of FDA and pharmaceutical advertising and promotion guidelines, with proficiency in medical, legal, and regulatory (MLR) review and approval processes.
• Deep understanding of advertising and creative development, digital channel requirements, and policies governing the digital ecosystem.
• Proficiency in MLR systems such as Veeva Vault PromoMats, Aprimo Marketing Cloud, or similar digital asset management (DAM), workflow, or channel execution applications, plus Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat.
• Strong project and process management skills, including applying Agile methodology, identifying and mitigating risks, and delivering results under tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, challenge the status quo, engage stakeholders at all organizational levels including senior leaders, and facilitate consensus in a rapidly changing environment.
• Aptitude for developing emerging talent into leaders.

Desirable Requirements

• At least 2 years of functional experience in pharmaceutical/biotech marketing strategy, regulatory, marketing technology, marketing operations, IT, sales, or communications.
• Experience with digital advertising and creative development, Drupal, and/or Salesforce Marketing Cloud (SFMC).

Novartis Compensation Summary

The salary for this position is expected to range between $160,300 and $297,700 per year.

The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors.

Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered 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. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.

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)

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 & Reasonable Accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation 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 [email protected] or call [phone] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.