Director, Core Data Management

U014 (FCRS = US014) Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; East Hanover (NJ); Hybrid; USD 186,000 - 345,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company contribution and 1

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Novartis seeks a Director of Core Data Management to shape enterprise data standards, governance, and scalable data products. You will lead a team of Associate Directors, partnering with data engineering and business units to onboard and scale data products, ensuring high-quality, governed datasets that power AI-driven decisions.

The role requires 15+ years in data management/architecture, leadership in regulated environments, and expertise in semantic standards and catalog platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; advanced degree preferred.
• 15+ years of data management or data architecture experience in complex organizations.
• 3+ years leading teams within a regulated industry environment.
• Ownership of an enterprise data model or CDM at scale with governance.
• Proficiency in semantic-web standards (ODCS, DCAT, SKOS, OWL/RDF).
• Experience with modern catalog/governance platforms (Open Metadata, Atlan, Collibra, Alation).
• Familiarity with pharma commercial data sources (IQVIA Xponent/OneKey/Plantrak, Veeva).
• Demonstrated leadership: hiring, coaching, managing distributed teams.

Responsibilities

• Define and evolve enterprise standards for core data, metadata, data modeling, and data quality.
• Drive adoption of data standards across certified data products enterprise-wide.
• Establish trusted, governed datasets enabling business value.
• Lead and develop Associate Directors across data management domains.
• Partner with data engineering and business teams to onboard and scale data products.
• Oversee post-launch data operations, ensuring performance, stability, and governance.

Skills

Enterprise data standards

Data governance

Team leadership

Executive communication

Semantic-web standards

Data architecture

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Open Metadata

Atlan

Collibra

Alation

Job description

Band Level 6 Job Description Summary #LI-Onsite

Location: East Hanover, New Jersey. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible. Company will not sponsor visas for this position. The preferred location for this role is East Hanover, New Jersey site but remote work may be possible (there may be some restrictions based on legal entity). Please note that this role would not provide relocation as a result. If associate is remote, all home office expenses and any travel/lodging to specific East Hanover, New Jersey site for periodic live meetings will be at the employee’s expense. The expectation of working hours and travel (domestic and/or international) will be defined by the hiring manager. At Novartis, data is the foundation for better decisions, breakthrough innovation, and transformative patient outcomes. As Director, Core Data Management, you will shape the future of enterprise data by establishing the standards, governance, and operational excellence needed to create trusted, AI-ready data products at scale. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity to influence how data is managed across the organization, partner with senior stakeholders across business and technology, and lead a talented team dedicated to delivering high-quality, governed data that powers innovation and accelerates our mission to reimagine medicine.

Job Description Key Responsibilities

• Define and evolve enterprise standards for core data, metadata, data modeling, and data quality.
• Drive consistent adoption of data standards across certified data products enterprise-wide.
• Establish trusted, governed, and artificial intelligence-ready datasets that enable business value.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Associate Directors across data management domains.
• Partner with data engineering and business teams to onboard and scale data products.
• Oversee post-launch data operations, ensuring performance, stability, and governance compliance.
• Maintain operational documentation, standards, reporting, and delivery performance metrics.
• Monitor service levels, identify trends, and proactively address operational risks.
• Coordinate cross-functional stakeholders, vendors, and partners to achieve successful delivery outcomes.
• Champion continuous improvement across the data product lifecycle and governance processes.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; advanced degree preferred.
• 15+ years of data management or data architecture experience in complex organizations.
• 3+ years leading teams within a regulated industry environment.
• Demonstrated ownership of an enterprise data model or CDM at scale, with formal domain/master-data governance.
• Working fluency in ODCS, DCAT, SKOS, OWL/RDF, or equivalent semantic-web/data-contract standards.
• Experience with a modern catalog/governance platform (Data Governance platform, Open Metadata, Atlan, Collibra, or Alation).
• Familiarity with pharma commercial data sources (IQVIA Xponent/OneKey/Plantrak, Veeva) is a strong plus.
• Proven people-leadership: hiring, coaching ADs, and managing distributed/vendor surge teams to deadlines.
• Executive communication skills - able to translate architecture into board-ready narrative.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience working with pharmaceutical commercial data sources, including IQVIA, Veeva, or similar platforms.

The salary for this position is expected to range between $185,500 and $344,500 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.

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

Salary Range $185,500.00 - $344,500.00

Skills Desired Improving the lives of people living with disease takes more than innovative science. It takes a focus on the needs of people and a community committed to meeting them. It takes a team of people like you. Working together. Learning together. Thriving together. Discover how you can join us in changing people's lives.

In the context of China Cross-Border Data Transfer (CBDT) policy, if you need to apply for a position in China, please go to the local Recruiting System TaleNov .