US Head of Operations, Discovery Sciences in Cambridge

The Discovery Sciences (DSc) department at Novartis Biomedical Research (BR) merges groundbreaking technical capabilities with deep scientific expertise to deliver bold innovations at the forefront of science. The US Head of Operations is a key leadership role accountable for enabling effective, efficient, and compliant operations for the DSc organization at US sites. The role leads and integrates laboratory and business operations, manages the planning and execution of the department budget, and influences strategy and provides operational leadership to teams across sites.

Working in a highly matrixed environment, the role partners closely with leaders, innovators and support organizations across BR and Novartis to ensure aligned planning, prioritization, and seamless execution of BR and DSc objectives. As a trusted partner to DSc leadership and associates, the US Head of Operations translates strategy into operational plans, drives operational excellence, and continuously evolves DSc operations to support scientific impact in this dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• US operations leadership: Provide strategic and operational leadership for US laboratory and business operations to ensure consistent, efficient, and compliant execution across DSc sites.
• Budget & financial stewardship: Lead planning, forecasting, and prioritization with Finance and DSc leadership to ensure responsible allocation aligned to scientific objectives across budget categories.
• Laboratory operations & infrastructure enablement: Oversee US lab operations including space strategy, equipment lifecycle, vendor management, and infrastructure investments. Ensure lab environments and capabilities are safe, compliant, fit-for-purpose, and future-ready.
• Operational excellence & process governance: Design, implement, and continuously improve cross-site operational processes, governance, and tools, such as purchasing, CapEx, business continuity, and digital enablement.
• People leadership & organization development: Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing operations team. Work with the Global Head of Operations to set clear direction, enable collaboration across geographies, and build capabilities to support DSc growth and change.
• Matrix partnership & cross-domain delivery: Partner with peer domain leads to enable aligned decision-making and coordinated execution of DSc priorities.
• Trusted partnering with leaders and scientists: Proactively identify risks and opportunities, remove operational barriers so leaders and scientists can focus on science.
• Enterprise & external interface: Act as a key DSc operations interface to BR and enterprise functions, including Scientific Operations, Finance, People & Organizations (HR), Real Estate & Facilities (REFS), Data and Digital (IT), Procurement, Quality, and HSE.

Essential Requirements:

• Bachelor’s, Master’s and/or PhD in a relevant life-science or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years’ experience in a biomedical/life sciences environment, with demonstrated ability to enable scientific organizations through strong operational leadership.
• Proven enterprise stakeholder management and influence in a highly matrixed organization.
• Experience in strategic planning and execution, including translating strategy into integrated operational plans and measurable outcomes.
• Demonstrated people leadership: building and developing high-performing teams.
• Change leadership experience, including delivering transformation initiatives and implementing new ways of working.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills; high emotional intelligence and ability to build durable partnerships.

Desirable Requirements:

• Strong financial stewardship capabilities, including leading budgeting, forecasting, prioritization, and investment decisions.
• Track record in operational excellence, continuous improvement, and governance/process ownership across operational domains.

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary for this position is expected to range between $132,300 and $245,700 per year. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards. US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits.

EEO Statement: The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.