Director, Development Unit CQA Program Lead in London

Location: London (The Westworks), United Kingdom. Relocation Support: This role is based in 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. The rewards of being part of our team go far beyond base pay and incentives. 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.

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams’ representative of the patients and communities we serve.

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?