Clinical Development Head Neuroscience

U014 (FCRS = US014) Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 319,000 - 592,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation in Cambridge, MA, seeks a Clinical Development Head, Neuroscience to lead strategy and execution for the Neuroscience Development Unit. You will guide Global Program Clinical Heads, shape portfolio priorities and influence senior governance decisions.

You will drive cross-functional clinical development, ensure scientific rigor, and mentor senior leaders while partnering with regulators and key stakeholders to advance innovative therapies.

Qualifications

• MD or equivalent medical degree required and board certification in a relevant specialty.
• Minimum 10 years of clinical drug development and leadership experience.
• Deep neuroscience expertise, biomarkers, statistics and data science.
• Proven ability to design robust development strategies across phases I–IV.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Neuroscience Development Unit clinical function and coaches Global Program Clinical Heads.
• Develop disease-area strategy and ensure delivery of portfolio priorities.
• Drive clinical development excellence across study design, endpoints and evidence generation.
• Collaborate with senior leaders to align development with regulatory, commercial and patient needs.
• Oversee resource planning, governance, mentoring and external partnerships.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Clinical development

Neuroscience expertise

Team leadership

Regulatory interactions

Stakeholder management

Program governance

Mentoring senior leaders

Education

MD or equivalent medical degree

Board certification in neurology/psychiatry/neuroscience

Job description

Band Level 8 Job Description Summary #LI-Hybrid

Are you ready to shape clinical development strategy and advance innovative medicines for patients living with serious neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions? The Clinical Development Head, Neuroscience is accountable for the strategic leadership, functional excellence and organizational effectiveness of the clinical and medical organization supporting the Neuroscience Development Unit. The Clinical Development Head serves as Function Manager for the Global Program Clinical Heads and provides leadership and oversight to the broader clinical organization within the Development Unit. Working in close partnership with the Neuroscience Development Unit Head, Global Program Heads and other senior leaders, this position establishes the overall clinical strategy for the Neuroscience portfolio and ensures the delivery of portfolio and program priorities. As a key member of the Development Unit Leadership Team, the Clinical Development Head will influence senior governance decisions and may deputize for designated leadership responsibilities at senior management meetings.

Job Description Key Responsibilities

• Lead the clinical function for the Neuroscience Development Unit, providing strategic leadership, functional oversight, coaching and performance management for Global Program Clinical Heads and other clinical and medical associates.
• Establish and execute the short- and long-term disease area, portfolio and clinical development strategy in partnership with the Development Unit Head, Global Program Heads and cross-functional leadership.
• Drive clinical development excellence across the portfolio, including study design, protocol strategy, dose selection, biomarker strategy, endpoint selection, evidence generation and application of innovative clinical methodologies and technologies.
• Ensure clinical development strategies integrate scientific, medical, regulatory, operational, commercial, patient, value and access considerations across the full research, development and commercialization continuum.
• Oversee clinical resource planning, organizational effectiveness, workforce deployment and functional excellence to ensure delivery of portfolio and program priorities.
• Develop and strengthen global clinical talent through leadership, succession planning, capability building and mentoring of senior clinical and medical leaders.
• Provide senior clinical leadership for portfolio governance, program prioritization, benefit-risk assessment, investment decisions, regulatory interactions, submissions and key development-stage transitions.
• Represent and advocate for the clinical function within Development Unit and enterprise governance forums, influencing strategic decisions and partnering effectively across Clinical Development and Novartis leadership teams.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with investigators, key opinion leaders, health authorities, patient organizations, alliance partners and other internal and external stakeholders while leading due diligence, business development and licensing activities as required.
• Ensure the highest standards of scientific rigor, patient safety, quality, ethics and compliance while fostering an inspired, curious, collaborative and inclusive culture aligned with Novartis Values and Behaviors.

Essential Requirements

• MD or equivalent medical degree required; board certification and relevant specialty or subspecialty training in neurology, psychiatry, neuroscience or related fields preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of clinical drug development, translational medicine and/or clinical research experience, including leadership of global development programs and multidisciplinary teams.
• Deep expertise in neuroscience and advanced understanding of disease biology, clinical practice, clinical trial methodology, biomarkers, dose selection, biostatistics, data science and emerging technologies supporting clinical development.
• Proven ability to design and implement scientifically robust clinical development strategies that integrate multiple complex dimensions across the research, development and commercialization continuum.
• Significant experience across Phases I-IV clinical development, including regulatory agency interactions, submissions, evidence generation, market access considerations and benefit-risk assessment.
• Demonstrated success leading, developing and inspiring diverse global teams and matrix organizations across multiple geographic regions and functions.
• Strong business acumen and experience supporting portfolio prioritization, governance decision-making, business development, licensing, alliance management, due diligence and M&A evaluations.
• Recognized credibility and influence with physicians, investigators, regulators, scientific experts, key opinion leaders and senior internal stakeholders.
• Outstanding leadership, communication, collaboration and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence without authority and drive enterprise-level outcomes in a complex global matrix environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to scientific excellence, patient centricity, quality, compliance, ethics, inclusion and Novartis Values and Behaviors.

Desirable Requirements

• Relevant postgraduate clinical specialty or subspecialty training in neurology, psychiatry, neuroscience or another related medical discipline.
• Medical board certification or an equivalent recognized specialist qualification.

Novartis Compensation and Benefit Summary

The salary for this position is expected to range between $318,500 - $591,500 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills, experience and geographic location, 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. At Novartis, we are committed to reimagining medicine together and rewarding the people who make it happen.

Salary Range $318,500.00 - $591,500.00

Skills Desired Clinical Research, Compliance (Inactive), Leadership, People Management, Resource Management (Organizational) (Inactive), Risk Management, Speed and Agility Training (Inactive), Stakeholder Engagement, Strategy (Inactive)

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, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We strive to create an inclusive workplace that cultivates bold innovation through collaboration and empowers our people to unleash their full potential.

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 in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] call [phone] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

https://www.novartis.com/careers/careers-research/notice-all-applicants-us-job-openings

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