VP/Head, Launch Machine

U014 (FCRS = US014) Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; East Hanover (NJ); On-site; USD 303,000 - 563,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation in East Hanover, NJ seeks a VP/Head, Launch Machine to lead global medical launch programs and drive portfolio optimization. The role partners with US Medical Affairs, Global Drug Development, and Commercial teams to align scientific strategy with business priorities.

The senior medical leader will oversee education initiatives, content development, and risk management while embedding agile practices and AI-enabled decision support to accelerate impact across

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in scientific discipline required.
• Doctorate (MD, PhD, PharmD, etc.) degree preferred.
• 5+ years’ experience managing, leading, and developing people required with 3+ years in line function experience.
• Experience with large matrix organizations and cross-functional leadership.
• US experience preferred and strong knowledge of US regulations for drug promotion/advertising and labeling.

Responsibilities

• Leads medical launch effectiveness across portfolio assets and ensures launch readiness with cross-functional partners.
• Drives integration across US Medical Affairs and global functions to improve operating model effectiveness.
• Leverages agile practices, data-driven decision-making, and AI-enabled tools to increase speed and quality of execution.
• Oversees education initiatives and ensures alignment with external regulations and internal policies.

Skills

Leadership

Medical affairs

Collaboration

Clinical Trials

Data entry

Drug Development

Patient Care

People Management

Prioritization

Communication

Biomarker

AI-enabled tools

Education

Doctorate (MD, PhD, PharmD)

Advanced degree in scientific discipline

Tools

Apache Continuum

Behavioral Economics

Job description

Band Level 8 Job Description Summary

This role will be based in East Hanover, NJ. Job Description Position Summary: The VP/Head, Launch Machine is a Senior medical leader responsible for overall strategic and operational medical, scientific, functional, and educational programs of global, region or country medical function. Lead the assigned medical teams and ensure close team collaboration with key internal partners (e.g., Global Drug Development, Market Access and Commercial) as well as external stakeholders through trustful engagement with key Medical Experts, health care providers, and patient associations.

Medical Launch Effectiveness & Portfolio Optimization

Leads portfolio-level medical launch effectiveness across priority assets, ensuring launch readiness, strategic prioritization, and disciplined execution. Partners with USMA leadership, Medical Strategy Teams, Field Medical, Evidence Generation, and other cross-functional stakeholders to align medical launch plans to the highest-impact scientific and business priorities. Establishes scalable launch planning standards, governance mechanisms, and performance visibility to strengthen decision-making, optimize resources, manage risks and dependencies, and accelerate medical impact across the portfolio.

Global Integration & Operational Effectiveness

Drives integration across US Medical Affairs, global functions, NOCC partners, and cross-functional enterprise teams to improve operating model effectiveness and executional consistency. Leads efforts to simplify ways of working, clarify decision rights, reduce duplication, and strengthen accountability across medical operations. Embeds agile practices, data-driven decision-making, AI-enabled tools, and continuous improvement approaches to increase speed, quality, and efficiency across the Launch Machine.

Precision Health

Leads the US Medical Affairs Precision Health agenda, integrating diagnostic, biomarker, data, and digital health strategies into launch planning and portfolio execution. Partners across Medical Affairs, Global Drug Development, Commercial, Market Access, diagnostics, data/AI, and external innovation stakeholders to advance capabilities that support timely identification, education, and engagement of patients, providers, and care pathways. Champions scalable and compliant use of precision health solutions to strengthen launch readiness, patient impact, and portfolio value.

Grants and Medical Education – Oversight

Oversees all NOGE supported continuing medical education initiatives and the implementation of Novartis policies and procedures in alignment with external regulations driving high external stakeholder experience.

Resource Forecasting & Budgeting

Oversees NOCC personnel administering budget & resource planning (in collaboration with Director Business Planning & Strategy). Ensures USMA adheres to budget/forecast accuracy, financial metrics, operating budget, and external spend; including resource management planning process and annual budget plans for USMA.

Program Management

Oversees NOCC personnel supporting Medical Strategy Teams (MSTs) with best-in-class project management tools and processes in the day-to-day practice across Program Management activities in USMA. Drives and inspires a cultural shift to agile methodologies, continuous learning, customer value, and accelerated delivery.

Content Development & Content Review

Drives and delivers scientific content, in-line with external stakeholder needs and NVS priorities through US and NOCC resources. Develops publication plan in-line w/scientific narrative; ensures timely and rigorous publication execution. Manages promotional and educational review processes in-line with established guidelines. Leverages cross functional operational tools and capabilities i.e., agency management/rate cards and production capabilities being established in NOCC and with marketing. Facilitates accurate and efficient responses to medical inquiries.

People Management

Identify, attract, and develop a best-in-class medical talent in partnership with P&O. Ensure effective coaching and training to build technical and leadership skills for maximum performance and long-term succession planning. Cultivate an inclusive, high-performance environment that values and leverages diversity of thinking, style, and experiences. Serve as active member of US Medical Affairs Leadership Team contributing to drive innovation and excellence across the Medical and broader US Commercial organization; model and encourage the inspired, curious and unbossed US Commercial culture.

Strategic Enterprise Leadership & Operational Effectiveness

Strategically lead and transform initiatives at a broad level, enhancing USMA’s ability to adapt and innovate. Build and orchestrate networks beyond the US across NOCCs, navigating complex environments with agility to drive continuous change. Identify and leverage opportunities to implement innovative approaches that influence and advance progress. Communicate effectively across teams and stakeholders, clearly articulating data-driven messages to support informed decision-making.

Position Requirements

Advanced degree in scientific discipline required. Doctorate (MD, PhD, PharmD, etc.) degree preferred. 5+ years’ experience managing, leading, and developing people required with 3+ years in line function experience. Previous experience leading larger-scale business planning processes, to include development and implementation of such plans, goals, and metrics. 5+ years of experience working with a Matrix organization; strong ability to think critically across a complex matrix organization, influence laterally, and work in a multidisciplinary team. Prior experience as a member of a scientific line function Leadership team. US experience preferred. Extensive Pharmaceutical Industry Experience: Proven expertise within large pharmaceutical organizations, encompassing medical and development knowledge. Excellent understanding of medical communications and medical information settings and of US regulations for drug promotion/advertising and labeling. Demonstrates strong data literacy and applies digital and AI-enabled thinking strategically and responsibly to improve decision speed, commercial outcomes, and competitive advantage, while modeling effective AI use across the team, embedding AI tools into workflows, guiding responsible AI practices, and fostering experimentation and continuous learning.

Novartis Compensation Summary

The salary for this position is expected to range between $303,100.00 and $562,900.00 USD Annual 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.

Salary Range

$303,100.00 - $562,900.00

Skills Desired

• Apache Continuum
• Behavioral Economics
• Clinical Trials
• Collaboration
• Data Entry
• Drug Development
• Leadership
• Patient Care
• People Management
• Physical Therapy
• Prioritization
• Telemetry

Company Culture

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.