At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead analytics projects, translating clinical needs into R-based solutions and dashboards.
- Company: Join Novartis, a leader in innovative pharmaceutical solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, personal development opportunities, and a supportive community.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patients' lives through cutting-edge technology and collaboration.
- Qualifications: 14+ years in analytics, advanced R programming, and strong pharma domain expertise.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We are seeking a highly experienced Lead Business Analyst with strong pharmaceutical domain expertise and deep R programming capabilities to support a global pharmaceutical engagement. This role will act as the primary interface between business stakeholders, biostatisticians, statistical programmers, and technical delivery teams. The candidate will be responsible for translating clinical, statistical, and operational requirements into scalable R-based analytics platforms, automation workflows, and enterprise reporting solutions. The ideal candidate should demonstrate strong domain understanding of clinical trials, regulatory expectations, and statistical workflows, along with the ability to independently manage initiatives and coordinate cross-functional teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the primary interface between business stakeholders, biostatisticians, statistical programmers, and technical teams.
- Lead requirement gathering workshops and translate clinical/statistical needs into structured functional and technical specifications.
- Ensure alignment between Statistical Analysis Plans, reporting outputs (TLFs), and system implementation.
- Drive end-to-end requirement traceability across development, validation, and deployment phases.
- Oversee design and delivery of scalable R-based analytics applications and Shiny dashboards.
- Ensure regulatory compliance, audit readiness, and adherence to documentation and governance standards.
- Provide structured updates on progress, risks, dependencies, and mitigation plans.
Minimum Requirements
- 14+ years of experience in analytics, statistical programming, or software development. Proven experience in pharmaceutical or clinical research domain engagements.
- Advanced R programming (data manipulation, statistical modelling, visualisation).
- Strong experience with Shiny for interactive dashboards and web applications.
- Experience with Posit platform tools (Workbench, Connect, Package Manager) or equivalent.
- Expertise in statistical computing and analytics solution design.
- R package development and familiarity with CRAN/Bioconductor libraries.
- Proficiency in SQL and relational databases.
- Strong understanding of Git version control (branching strategy, pull requests, release coordination).
- Experience integrating R with enterprise systems, APIs.
- Strong understanding of clinical trial lifecycle.
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?
Rewards
Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.
Associate Director, Technology & Scientific Computing in Belfast employer: Novartis UK
At Novartis, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our comprehensive benefits package, flexible working options, and a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered. Join us in our mission to reimagine medicine while enjoying a rewarding career in a dynamic environment that prioritises your professional and personal well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director, Technology & Scientific Computing in Belfast
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend conferences, webinars, or local meetups related to pharmaceutical analytics. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a portfolio showcasing your R programming projects, especially those relevant to clinical trials or statistical analysis. This will give potential employers a tangible sense of what you can do and how you can contribute to their team.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common questions related to R programming and the pharmaceutical domain. Be ready to discuss your past experiences and how they align with the role. Practice makes perfect, so consider mock interviews with friends or mentors.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our community at StudySmarter.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director, Technology & Scientific Computing in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role. Highlight your experience in analytics, R programming, and any relevant pharmaceutical projects. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Associate Director role. Share specific examples of your past work that relate to the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t hold back on your technical expertise! Be sure to mention your experience with R, Shiny, and any other tools like SQL or Git. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their hands-on skills in these areas.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Novartis UK
✨Know Your R Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your R programming skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've used R for data manipulation, statistical modelling, or creating Shiny dashboards. Highlighting your hands-on experience will show that you're not just familiar with the tools but can also apply them effectively.
✨Understand the Clinical Trial Lifecycle
Since this role is heavily focused on the pharmaceutical domain, it's crucial to have a solid grasp of the clinical trial lifecycle. Prepare to discuss how your previous experiences align with regulatory expectations and how you've contributed to successful outcomes in past projects. This will demonstrate your ability to navigate the complexities of the industry.
✨Prepare for Requirement Gathering Scenarios
Expect to engage in discussions about requirement gathering and translating needs into technical specifications. Think of examples from your past where you've led workshops or collaborated with cross-functional teams. Being able to articulate your approach to aligning stakeholders will showcase your leadership and communication skills.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be prepared to discuss challenges you've faced in previous roles, particularly around analytics solutions or project management. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This will help you convey your thought process and how you tackle issues, which is key for a role that requires independent initiative.
