Associate Director, Nonclinical Safety Assessment Expert 0ncology

Novartis Group Companies; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 153,000 - 283,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) with company match

Generous time off

Job summary

Novartis Group of Companies in Cambridge, MA, seeks a senior leader to provide global, end-to-end nonclinical safety leadership across oncology modalities, ensuring robust, regulatory-focused safety strategies for clinical trial initiation and registration. This hybrid role is based in Cambridge, Mass with the expectation of onsite 12 days per month.

Relocation support is not provided, so please apply if this location is accessible.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Toxicology, Pharmacology, or related field.
• Experience as a nonclinical safety project team member.
• 8+ years in nonclinical drug development.
• Experience with multiple modalities (small molecules, biologics, radioligand therapies).

Responsibilities

• Lead PCS Target Teams to design nonclinical safety programs and align with development timelines.
• Represent Preclinical Safety on cross-functional R&D project teams and ensure compliant safety packages.
• Define modality-appropriate nonclinical programs with PCS and external lines.
• Lead global Health Authority interactions, including IND submissions and regulatory interpretation.
• Author nonclinical safety sections of internal and regulatory documents (e.g., IND/NDA).
• Drive and coordinate PCS-R&D communication strategies across projects.
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives advancing PCS and Translational Medicine objectives.
• Support in-licensing/out-licensing with BD&L and integration activities.

Skills

Animal Models

Bioinformatics

Data Analysis

Drug Development

Regulatory Compliance

Toxicology

Translational Medicine

Collaboration

Education

PhD, MD, DVM, PharmD, or equivalent in Toxicology/Pharmacology

Tools

Apache Continuum

Job description

Job Description Summary

In this key role you will provide global, end to end nonclinical safety leadership across multiple modalities in the Oncology therapeutic area, ensuring scientifically robust, fit for purpose, and regulatory compliant safety strategies that enable successful clinical trial initiation and support registration. You will serve as the primary Preclinical Safety (PCS) authority on cross functional R&D teams and in interactions with global Health Authorities. You will be a critical enabler of portfolio progression, providing authoritative nonclinical safety leadership, regulatory credibility with Health Authorities, and strategic integration across therapeutic areas and modalities. Success is defined by timely clinical entry, robust regulatory outcomes, and strong cross functional trust in PCS scientific leadership.

Job Description

This hybrid role is based in Cambridge, Mass with the expectation of being onsite 12 days per month. Relocation support is not provided so please only apply if this role is accessible for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead PCS Target Teams to design, integrate, interpret, and apply nonclinical safety assessment programs, including impact on development strategy and timelines.


• Represent Preclinical Safety on cross functional R&D project teams, ensuring scientifically sound and globally compliant nonclinical safety packages.


• Define and implement fit for purpose, modality appropriate nonclinical programs in collaboration with PCS and external line functions.


• Lead global Health Authority interactions, including negotiation on safety issues, scientific interpretation, and acceptability of nonclinical packages.


• Author nonclinical safety sections of internal and regulatory documents supporting clinical development and market approval (e.g., IND/NDA).


• Drive and coordinate communication strategies between PCS and R&D project teams.


• Participate in internal and external cross functional initiatives advancing PCS and/or Translational Medicine objectives and current safety topics.


• Support integration of in licensing and out licensing opportunities, including collaboration with BD&L and integration activities.

Essential Requirements

• Advanced scientific degree (PhD, MD, DVM, PharmD, or equivalent) in Toxicology, Pharmacology, or related discipline; or DABT; or equivalent industry experience.


• 5 plus years of experience as a nonclinical safety Project Team member, preferably across multiple development phases up to registration.


• 8 or more years of experience in nonclinical drug development (e.g., project toxicologist, pharmacologist, study director).


• Demonstrated expertise across multiple modalities (e.g., small molecules, biotherapeutics, radioligand therapies) and their safety considerations.


• Proven track record of direct interaction with global Health Authorities, including IND submission writing.


• Recognized scientific and regulatory expertise in nonclinical safety assessment within a global drug development context.


• Demonstrated leadership and influence in complex, matrix managed, international project environments.


• Strong problem solving capability in multidisciplinary, project driven settings.

Desirable Experience

• Prior experience in the pharmaceutical industry


• Participation in external consortia/committees relevant to drug development or safety assessment.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position is expected to range from $152,600.00 - 218,000.00 - 283,400.00 USD Annual USD per year.

The final salary offered is determined based on factors including 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.

Compensation includes a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the role level, eligibility for consideration for annual equity awards.

Eligible United States-based employees receive a comprehensive benefits package including health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a generous time-off package.

Learn more about life at Novartis, including our culture, rewards and benefits: Novartis Life Handbook

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 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 [e-mail] 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.

Salary Range

$152,600.00 - $283,400.00

Skills Desired

• Animal Models


• Apache Continuum


• Bioinformatics


• Chemistry


• Clinical Research


• Collaboration


• Data Analysis


• Drug Development


• Due Diligence


• Ethics


• Influencing Skills


• Medical Research


• Patient Care


• Pharmaceutics


• Problem Solving


• Regulatory Compliance


• Toxicology


• Translational Medicine


• Waterfall Model