Business Operations Lead, Discovery Sciences

Novartis Group Companies; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 85,400 - 158,600; Full time

Job summary

Novartis Group Companies is seeking a hands-on Business Operations Lead for the Discovery Sciences department in Cambridge, MA. You will manage financial planning, data and knowledge management, and cross‑functional programs to enable cutting‑edge drug discovery.

In this role, you will optimize budgets and vendor relations, support global operations, and drive simplified data delivery for decision making. A science or management background with 3+ years in ops is preferred.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. degree in a scientific or management discipline with 3+ years in a business or lab operations capacity; or 5+ years working in a biology or chemistry research environment with operational accountabilities.
• Strong problem solving, collaboration and organizational skills along with a proven attentiveness to detail are required. Must be solution oriented with comfort to exercise independent discretion and judgment to solve problems and prioritize effectively in a global and highly matrixed environment.
• A user-oriented mentality with experience supporting others - specifically motivated to enable all associates with a track record of building relationships and engaging others in work.
• Strong information management and digital skillset that includes advanced knowledge of enterprise-level accounting, procurement and collaboration software.
• Project management, operational excellence, and design thinking skillsets with experience initiating and leading assignments with a proven ability to positively impact project goals.

Responsibilities

• Execute and optimize our financial plan in partnership with Finance and other support functions. Act as a subject matter expert in tools and processes for the business of our research operations.
• Resolve operational issues and support DSc scientists to manage data, vendor relations, research collaborations, and people data in a global matrixed environment.
• Deliver simplicity from complexity by designing reports and ensuring data is clean, accessible, and timely for budget, lab resources, people and compliance decisions.
• Establish and maintain relationships within a matrix organization to align with BR Operations and DSc objectives; coordinate with vendors and support functions.
• Manage planning, ordering, delivery, and realization of lab technologies including complex equipment systems.
• Proactively lead projects and programs that support department priorities with cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Problem solving

Collaboration

Attention to detail

Independent judgment

User-oriented support

Information management

Accounting software

Procurement software

Collaboration software

Project management

Design thinking

Education

B.S./M.S. in science or management

Tools

AI tools experience

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Discovery Sciences (DSc) department at Novartis Biomedical Research (BR), merges groundbreaking technical capabilities with deep scientific expertise to deliver bold innovations at the forefront of science. As a member of the DSc Operations Team, you will be a critical resource within the organization to manage business operations which enable the development of novel drug targets and new therapeutics. We are seeking a hands‑on Business Operations Lead with a particular passion for data and knowledge management, eager to lead the execution of our business operations to support the dynamic operations of a large research department.

Job Description

Internal Job Title: Business Operations Lead

Position Location

Cambridge, MA, onsite

** This role is based in Cambridge, MA, USA. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you.

About the Role

The Discovery Sciences (DSc) department at Novartis Biomedical Research (BR), merges groundbreaking technical capabilities with deep scientific expertise to deliver bold innovations at the forefront of science. As a member of the DSc Operations Team, you will be a critical resource within the organization to manage business operations which enable the development of novel drug targets and new therapeutics. We are seeking a hands‑on Business Operations Lead with a particular passion for data and knowledge management, eager to lead the execution of our business operations to support the dynamic operations of a large research department.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute and optimize our financial plan: In partnership with Finance and other support functions, execute the ordering and financial administration of our scientific strategy. Act as a key subject matter expert in the tools and processes to execute the business of our research operations. Financial acumen will be required.
• Resolve issues. Be an enabling force in the support of DSc scientists to resolve operational challenges, manage issues and navigate complexity; especially when it comes to our financial data, vendor management, research collaborations, and people data. Rely on local and global support resources to remediate issues and advance our upstream processes to avoid issues in the first place.
• Deliver simplicity from complexity. Through report design and data management, enable DSc leaders with clean, accessible, and timely data related to their budget, lab resources, people and compliance to drive effective decision making in the organization. Proactively launch and lead initiatives to resolve any operational data issues and delivery new processes or programs.
• Effectively work within an organizational matrix. Establish and maintain relationships with DSc researchers and the BR Operations community to ensure alignment and execution of departmental and BR objectives. Operate within a matrix organization of support functions and third‑party vendors to provide effective support of DSc and BR operations.
• Realize our technology strategy: Manage the planning, ordering, delivery, and realization of lab technologies including complex, integrated equipment systems.
• Support global departmental evolution: Proactively lead projects and design operational programs that support department priorities, including cross‑functional coordination with user groups and support functions.

Essential Requirements

• B.S. or M.S. degree in a scientific or management discipline with 3+ years in a business or lab operations capacity; or 5+ years working in a biology or chemistry research environment with operational accountabilities.
• A love for problem solving! Strong collaboration and organizational skills along with a proven attentiveness to detail are required. Must be solution oriented with comfort to exercise independent discretion and judgment to solve problems and prioritize effectively in a global and highly matrixed environment.
• A user‑oriented mentality and experience supporting others - specifically motivated to enable all of our associates with a track record of building relationships and engaging others in work.
• Strong information management and digital skillset that includes advanced knowledge of enterprise‑level accounting, procurement and collaboration software.
• Project management, operational excellence, and design thinking skillsets with experience initiating and leading assignments with a proven ability to positively impact project goals.

Desirable Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to optimize business processes with AI tools is highly desirable.
• A candidate willing to infuse creativity into operational tasks is strongly desired.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position is expected to range between $85,400 and $158,600 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills andexperience, 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.

To learn more about the culture, rewards and benefits we offer our people click here.

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 +1(877)395‑2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Salary Range

$85,400.00 - $158,600.00

Skills Desired

Clinical Study Reports, Waterfall Model