At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead medical strategy and operational oversight for therapeutic area programs, transforming data into insights.
- Company: Join Novartis, a leader in healthcare committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic, collaborative environment with a focus on compliance and team empowerment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare by driving operational excellence and strategic decision-making.
- Qualifications: Advanced degree in life sciences, 8+ years in global program management, strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Step into a pivotal role where your expertise will drive the planning and operational oversight of therapeutic area programs and portfolios, and transform complex data into actionable insights for senior leadership. As a key partner to Global Medical Directors and cross‑functional teams, you’ll ensure high‑quality, timely, and cost‑effective execution of Medical Affairs program objectives. Your leadership will foster operational excellence, process simplification, and a culture of compliance – empowering teams to thrive in a dynamic, matrixed environment and adapt quickly to evolving business needs.
Responsibilities
- Acts at the operational lead for the medical strategy of assigned programs.
- Be the central connector linking Medical Directors, SciComms, Study Management, Finance, and other partners for medical program teams to operate with clarity, accountability, and strong governance.
- Lead the planning and operational oversight of therapeutic area (TA) owned medical budgets, consolidating Scientific Communications and Study Execution budget reports into comprehensive, category‑level overviews with insights, risks, and opportunities for monthly review by senior leadership.
- Partner closely with Global and International Medical Affairs Medical Directors to coordinate operational planning, monitoring, and reporting of TA‑owned operational management activities, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
- Translate complex activity plans and portfolio information into clear, actionable insights for program team forums, enabling strategic decision‑making.
- Drive operational excellence: consolidating data, managing cross‑functional meetings, monitoring performance, resolving issues, and safeguarding compliance.
- Manage key functional interfaces and act as the single point of contact for disease area and cross‑functional partners, facilitating effective communication and collaboration.
- Lead the management of Program Medical Affairs Team meetings, including setting agendas, taking minutes, and following up on actions with business owners to ensure accountability and progress.
- Oversee and track program objectives and deliverables, consolidating and reporting portfolio and budget information for assigned disease areas, including operational risks and mitigations, and ensuring adherence to business processes for review, approvals, and documentation.
- As a member of the Portfolio and Program Management team, contribute to team objective setting, achievement, communication, and culture‑building, representing the function in key meetings and supporting the team’s culture journey.
Essential Qualifications
- Advanced degree or equivalent education in life sciences or healthcare; Doctor of Pharmacy or Doctor of Philosophy preferred.
- At least 8 years of proven operational experience in planning, executing, and reporting global or international programs within a pharmaceutical company or contract research organization.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently in a complex matrix environment, including remote or virtual teams.
- Strong program management skills with a track record of meeting timelines and delivering high‑quality results.
- Excellent communication, influencing, and negotiation skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- In‑depth understanding of medical affairs activities, functions, and responsibilities, including Good Clinical Practice and global drug development processes.
- Experience in budget planning, resource allocation, and management of operational issues within medical affairs or clinical research.
- Proven leadership in operational aspects, including process adherence, risk management, and compliance with quality standards.
Desirable Qualifications
- Robust understanding of basic science or relevant therapeutic areas, with solid knowledge of global drug development processes.
- Robust experience in program and/or portfolio management.
- Advanced understanding of business processes and experience working cross‑functionally in global teams.
Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.
Associate Director, MA Portfolio & Programme Management in London employer: Novartis Farmacéutica
At Novartis, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. As an Associate Director in our MA Portfolio & Programme Management team, you will have the opportunity to lead impactful projects while benefiting from robust professional development and growth opportunities. Our commitment to operational excellence and compliance ensures that you can thrive in your role, making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients worldwide.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director, MA Portfolio & Programme Management in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're a great fit for the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Associate Director in MA Portfolio & Programme Management. Highlight your operational expertise and ability to drive results in a matrixed environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director, MA Portfolio & Programme Management in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in operational management and program oversight. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Associate Director, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:In your application, emphasise your ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects. We’re looking for someone who can drive operational excellence, so share examples of how you've fostered collaboration and accountability in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language to convey your experience and insights. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Novartis Farmacéutica
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the medical affairs landscape, especially in relation to the therapeutic areas you'll be managing. Brush up on global drug development processes and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role's requirements.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership abilities, particularly in operational management and cross-functional collaboration. Think about times when you've successfully navigated complex projects or resolved issues within a matrix environment.
✨Be Data Savvy
Since the role involves translating complex data into actionable insights, practice explaining data-driven decisions you've made in the past. Be ready to discuss how you’ve consolidated information for senior leadership and the impact it had on decision-making.
✨Engage with Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in the company's culture and operational excellence. Ask about their approach to fostering compliance and how they support teams in adapting to evolving business needs.
