At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and oversee medical programs, transforming data into actionable insights for senior leadership.
- Company: Join Novartis, a leader in healthcare committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with strong focus on collaboration and compliance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in medical affairs while driving operational excellence.
- Qualifications: Advanced degree in life sciences and 8+ years of relevant experience required.
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 as the operational lead for the medical strategy of assigned programs.
- Serves as 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.
- Leads 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.
- Partners 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.
- Translates complex activity plans and portfolio information into clear, actionable insights for program team forums, enabling strategic decision‑making.
- Drives operational excellence: consolidating data, managing cross‑functional meetings, monitoring performance, resolving issues, and safeguarding compliance.
- Manages key functional interfaces and acts as the single point of contact for disease area and cross‑functional partners, facilitating effective communication and collaboration.
- Leads 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.
- Oversees and tracks 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, contributes to team objective setting, achievement, communication, and culture‑building, representing the function in key meetings and supporting the team’s culture journey.
Essential for the role
- 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 organisation.
- 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 for the role
- 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 Portfolio & Program Management Medical Affairs employer: Novartis
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 Portfolio & Program Management for Medical Affairs, you will have the opportunity to lead impactful projects while benefiting from our commitment to employee growth through continuous learning and development. Our culture prioritises operational excellence and compliance, ensuring that you can thrive in your role and contribute meaningfully to our mission of improving patient outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director Portfolio & Program Management Medical Affairs
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. We want you to walk into that interview room feeling confident and ready to showcase how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You should be able to clearly articulate your experience and how it relates to the role of Associate Director Portfolio & Program Management. We recommend rehearsing with a friend or in front of a mirror to nail that delivery.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the position. We believe this small gesture can keep you top of mind for hiring managers.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director Portfolio & Program Management Medical Affairs
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your operational experience in planning and executing programs, as well as your ability to work in a complex matrix environment. We want to see how you can drive operational excellence!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Talk about your leadership experience and how you've successfully managed cross-functional teams. Remember, we love seeing your personality come through!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your program management skills. Use metrics where possible to show how you’ve met timelines and delivered high-quality results. We’re all about those actionable insights!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application 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
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the medical affairs landscape, especially in relation to the role. Brush up on your knowledge of Good Clinical Practice and global drug development processes, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience in operational management. Think about times when you've successfully led cross-functional teams or managed complex projects, and be ready to discuss how you fostered collaboration and accountability.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role involves translating complex data into actionable insights, practice explaining how you've done this in past roles. Bring specific examples of how your insights influenced decision-making or improved operational efficiency.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your understanding of the role and the company’s objectives. Inquire about their current challenges in medical affairs or how they measure success in program management to show your genuine interest.
