Director, Data Strategy & Data Products

Novartis; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 195,000 - 361,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis is seeking a Director of Data Strategy & Data Products in San Diego to guide enterprise data initiatives, governance, and scalable data solutions across scientific and technical teams. You will lead cross-functional programs, define data product roadmaps, and ensure outcomes align with business needs and regulatory standards.

The role demands an experienced data leader capable of driving adoption, quality, and value across the organization.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in data-related field required.
• 10+ years leading data strategy, governance, architecture or analytics initiatives.
• Experience translating enterprise priorities into scalable data solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise data initiatives including governance, quality, management and data product development.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to translate data needs into strategies, roadmaps and priorities.
• Define and scale data products for accessible, governed scientific data assets across teams.

Skills

Data governance

Data strategy

Data architecture

Data product management

Analytics strategy

Stakeholder influence

Education

Advanced degree in Data Science / related field

Job description

Location: San Diego, CA

This role is based in San Diego, CA. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role. Please only apply if this location is accessible for you.

At Novartis, we are reimagining medicine by building the trusted data foundations, governance, and data products that enable better decisions across the enterprise. As Director, Data Strategy & Data Products, you will lead strategic initiatives that strengthen how data is defined, governed, connected, accessed, and used across complex business and scientific environments. This role is ideal for a senior data leader who can translate enterprise priorities into practical data strategies, scalable data solutions, and high-value data products that improve decision making, operational effectiveness, and long-term organizational capability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy, design, and execution of enterprise data initiatives focused on foundational data solutions, data governance, data quality, data management, and data product development.
• Partner with senior stakeholders across scientific, technology, and operational functions to identify critical data needs and translate them into clear data strategies, roadmaps, and delivery priorities.
• Define and scale data products that enable reliable, reusable, and well-governed access to priority scientific data assets across teams and functions.
• Establish and strengthen data governance frameworks, including data ownership, stewardship, metadata standards, data quality expectations, access principles, and lifecycle management practices.
• Drive alignment across scientific and technical teams to ensure data solutions are strategically relevant, operationally sustainable, and designed for measurable business impact.
• Provide thought leadership on data strategy, data architecture principles, data operating models, and enterprise data management practices.
• Lead cross-functional scientific data programs from concept through adoption, ensuring clear scope, stakeholder alignment, delivery accountability, and effective change management.
• Identify opportunities to improve data usability, interoperability, quality, and consistency across business processes, platforms, and analytical workflows.
• Build and mentor high-performing teams and scientific communities of practice focused on data strategy, governance, data product management, and data-enabled transformation.
• Ensure data initiatives are delivered in accordance with applicable Novartis standards for quality, ethics, privacy, information security, data governance, health, safety, and environmental requirements.

Essential Requirements

• Advanced degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Information Management, Life Sciences, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in data strategy, data management, data governance, data architecture, data product management, analytics strategy, or related enterprise data leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale, cross-functional data initiatives within complex global organizations.
• Strong understanding of foundational data capabilities, including data governance, master data management, metadata management, data quality, data lineage, data stewardship, and data lifecycle management.
• Experience establishing data strategy, roadmaps, operating models, and governance practices that support enterprise priorities and enable scalable data use.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders, align diverse teams, and translate complex data challenges into clear decisions, priorities, and implementation plans.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and change leadership skills, with the ability to operate effectively across business, technology, scientific, and operational functions.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing teams or communities focused on data management, governance, analytics, or data product delivery.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare, life sciences, or other highly regulated industry.
• Experience developing or scaling data products, enterprise data platforms, or data governance capabilities that support analytics, automation, or AI-enabled use cases.

Novartis Compensation Summary

The salary for this position is expected to range between $194,600 and $361,400 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 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 [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.