Director, Core Data Management

Novartis; East Hanover (NJ); Hybrid; USD 186,000 - 345,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis is seeking a Director, Core Data Management in East Hanover, NJ to shape enterprise data standards and governance. You will lead a team to deliver trusted data products and collaborate with senior stakeholders across business and technology. The role emphasizes data modeling, catalog governance, and scalable data platforms.

Remote work may be possible with some travel; relocation is not provided. Compensation includes incentives and equity consideration, plus a comprehensive benefits

Qualifications

• 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 formal domain/master-data governance.
• Working fluency in ODCS, DCAT, SKOS, OWL/RDF, or equivalent semantic-web/data-contract standards.

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 AI-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 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.

Skills

Data governance

Data modeling

Leadership

Executive communication

Semantic web standards

Pharma data knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Data Governance platform (Open Metadata / Atlan / Collibra / Alation)

Job description

Summary

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.

About The Role

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.

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

Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.

Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)

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 [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.