At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic Quality oversight for global clinical trials, ensuring compliance and patient safety.
- Company: Join Novartis, a leader in innovative medicine with a commitment to quality and patient outcomes.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, flexible working, and comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive work environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patient safety and drive innovation in clinical development.
- Qualifications: Advanced degree in life sciences and significant experience in clinical research or quality assurance.
Location: London (The Westworks), United Kingdom. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible.
Shaping the future of clinical development requires more than oversight—it demands leadership that can influence quality, drive decisions, and protect patient outcomes at scale. As Director, Development Unit CQA Program Lead, you will provide strategic Quality oversight across global clinical trials, ensuring compliance, data integrity, and patient safety remain at the forefront. Working in close partnership with Global Clinical Teams, you will guide critical risk-based decisions, strengthen governance, and embed a proactive quality mindset—ultimately enabling the successful delivery of innovative medicines to patients worldwide.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic Quality leadership across assigned global clinical trials, ensuring compliance and patient safety throughout execution.
- Lead implementation of risk-based Quality strategies within Global Clinical Teams to support effective trial delivery.
- Oversee Quality risk management activities, including risk assessments, issue mitigation, and inspection readiness.
- Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to identify, manage, and resolve critical Quality risks and issues.
- Establish and lead governance for major Quality matters, ensuring timely escalation and resolution.
- Lead Quality aspects of regulatory inspections, audits, and follow-up activities, including corrective and preventive actions.
- Drive continuous improvement by embedding a strong Quality mindset and sharing lessons learned across programmes.
Essential Requirements
- Advanced degree in life sciences, medicine, pharmacy, or business administration.
- Significant experience in regulated clinical research, pharmacovigilance, or quality assurance within pharmaceutical development.
- Strong understanding of global clinical trial processes and regulatory requirements.
- Proven ability to lead and influence cross-functional, global teams and stakeholders.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including engagement with senior leadership and external authorities.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complexity, drive decision-making, and deliver continuous improvement initiatives.
Benefits & Rewards
At Novartis, we’re committed to reimagining medicine together - and rewarding the people who make it happen. Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: £78,400 to £145,600. The base salary offered is determined based on gender-neutral objectives, such as relevant skills, competencies and experience in accordance with the Novartis pay setting policy and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters. Long-term equity awards granted at group level may also be part of your package. Further details will be provided during the application process. We also offer a variety of competitive benefits in kind to help you thrive personally and professionally, such as insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources and global recognition programs. In addition, we provide flexible and hybrid working options, where possible, and minimum 14 weeks paid parental leave.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion / EEO
Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams’ representative of the patients and communities we serve.
Director, Development Unit CQA Program Lead employer: Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association
At Novartis, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration in the heart of London. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our comprehensive benefits package, including competitive salaries, performance-based bonuses, and flexible working options, all designed to support your professional journey while prioritising work-life balance. Join us in shaping the future of medicine, where your contributions will directly impact patient outcomes and drive meaningful change in global healthcare.
Contact Details:
Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Recruitment Team
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