Chief of Staff to Workforce Strategy Head, US

Novartis AG; East Hanover (NJ); On-site; USD 153,000 - 283,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, life and disability benefits

401(k) with company contribution and 0

Generous time off package

Job summary

Novartis AG in East Hanover, NJ is seeking a strategic workforce strategist to partner with the US Workforce Strategy Head. This role drives planning 3–5 year P&O priorities, aligns leadership, and supports executive-level decision-making.

You will lead the Office of the Workforce Strategy Head, manage governance, and connect priorities across US Commercial P&O while coordinating with global teams. Occasional travel is required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years in pharma/biotech/healthcare or related consulting.
• Minimum 3 years commercial experience in pharma/biotech/healthcare or consulting.
• Minimum 2 years leading complex projects with global/local alignment.
• Strong project management and ability to translate strategy into execution.
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills.
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management in a matrix organisation.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results.

Responsibilities

• Serve as strategic advisor to the Workforce Strategy Head, US on P&O priorities and leadership.
• Translate priorities into agendas, decisions, actions and execution plans.
• Lead the operating rhythm and governance of the US Workforce Strategy Team.
• Drive leadership team effectiveness through clear decisions, ownership and timelines.
• Prepare executive materials including briefings, pre-reads and talking points.
• Ensure alignment of US P&O priorities with the broader US leadership agenda.
• Partner with Workforce Strategy and Chiefs of Staff to connect priorities and planning.
• Identify and lead cross-functional strategic projects with global/local impact.
• Anticipate risks and escalate topics needing senior leadership attention.
• Drive development and execution of the US P&O strategy.

Skills

Strategic partnership

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Advanced degree in life sciences or healthcare

MBA or equivalent preferred

Job description

Summary

Location: East Hanover, New Jersey ()

This role is required to be in our East Hanover, NJ office 3x/week with 10–20% travel required.

In this role you will serve as a strategic partner and operational extension to the Workforce Strategy Head, US, supporting the development and execution of the US Commercial People & Organization (P&O) strategy over a 3 to 5-year horizon. You will lead the Office of the Workforce Strategy Head, drive leadership alignment and key operating rhythms, and connect priorities across US Commercial P&O teams. Last but not least, you will partner with Workforce Strategy colleagues and strategic assistant communities to translate P&O strategy into clear functional objectives and execution.

About The Role

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic advisor and thought partner to the Workforce Strategy Head, US on P&O priorities, organizational effectiveness, leadership dynamics, and enterprise decision‑making.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear agendas, decision points, actions, and execution plans, ensuring focus on the highest‑value priorities.
• Lead the operating rhythm and governance of the US Workforce Strategy Team, including leadership meetings, business reviews, decision forums, and strategic offsites.
• Drive leadership team effectiveness by clarifying decisions, ownership, accountability, timelines, and follow‑up actions.
• Prepare and coordinate executive‑level materials, including briefings, pre‑reads, talking points, meeting objectives, and leadership communications.
• Ensure alignment of US P&O priorities with the broader US leadership agenda, acting as a key interface between P&O US, the Office of the President, and relevant leadership teams.
• Partner with Workforce Strategy and Business Chiefs of Staff to connect strategic priorities, transformation initiatives, and business planning across the organization.
• Identify, operationalize, and lead cross‑functional strategic projects with local and global impact.
• Anticipate risks, gaps, and misalignment, escalating critical topics and decisions requiring senior leadership attention.
• Drive the development and execution of the US P&O strategy, ensuring transformation priorities are integrated into broader business planning and operating rhythms.

Essential Requirements

• Minimum 7 years of experience within pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare, health policy, or healthcare consulting.
• Minimum 3 years of commercial experience, preferably within a pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare, or consulting environment.
• Minimum 2 years of experience leading complex projects or initiatives requiring global and local alignment.
• Strong project management capabilities, with demonstrated experience translating strategy into execution.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to generate insights and translate them into actionable plans.
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to simplify complex concepts and strategies for different audiences.
• Strong influencing, stakeholder management, and collaboration skills, with experience operating effectively in a matrix organisation.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, lead without formal authority, and deliver results in a complex environment.

Desirable Requirements

• Advanced degree in life sciences, healthcare, or a related field; MBA or equivalent preferred.
• 2+ years of experience with a leading consulting firm, ideally supporting healthcare, life sciences, or related strategic work.

Benefits & Rewards

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 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 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:

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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.