Monitoring Functional Excellence Lead (Associate Director) in City of London

The Monitoring Functional Excellence Lead (FEL) leads the operational advancement of assigned Monitoring strategic capabilities across Novartis Global Clinical Operations. The role ensures innovative and effective monitoring practices are implemented consistently across regions, aligns monitoring with risk‑based quality management principles, and supports enterprise‑wide transformation goals. The FEL contributes to the overall direction of how monitoring is done at Novartis, optimizes trial monitoring for consistency and high quality, and coordinates field and central monitoring to enhance trial integrity and operational efficiency.

Location: East Hanover (hybrid working principles apply). A distant working arrangement may be considered in certain U.S. states for associates who are not within a daily commutable distance (more than 50 miles one way). Distant workers are responsible for home‑office expenses and periodic travel/lodging to the East Hanover site as required by the hiring manager.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leads implementation of functional strategies within assigned programs, including delivery of a data‑driven adaptive monitoring approach and proportionate trial oversight.
• Contributes to the development and refinement of field and central monitoring technology tools and templates, and supports adoption of processes and governance frameworks for monitoring.
• Supports and leads cross‑functional change initiatives to improve monitoring performance.
• Manages strategic projects from planning through execution, ensuring stakeholder alignment.
• Acts as a champion for monitoring innovation, identifying opportunities for advancement and staying ahead of industry trends.
• Participates in monitoring community forums and working groups to support knowledge sharing and identification of best practices.
• Develops and monitors functional dashboards and KPIs and drives continuous improvement.
• Drives innovation in the use of analytics, visualization, and data‑driven techniques to enhance monitoring capabilities.
• Monitors and reports on the effectiveness of trial monitoring activities, identifying opportunities for process improvements and driving implementation of enhancements with lessons learned.
• Supports the organization through the transition to a CM model, including adaptive monitoring, driving cultural and operational change to achieve buy‑in and sustained success.

Essential Requirements:

• ≥ 5 years of pharmaceutical industry experience, with demonstrable experience delivering effective, innovative approaches in clinical trials.
• Proven ability to build strong, effective partnerships with internal and external partners.
• Strong knowledge of current regulatory expectations related to clinical trial oversight, including monitoring.
• Strong project management, strategic thinking, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Effective influencing, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills, with an enterprise mindset and demonstrated ability to drive aligned solutions.
• Demonstrated experience in using data and data analyses to provide actionable insights and drive improvement.
• Demonstrated experience in innovation for processes, technologies, and/or ways of working, with a focus on sustainable and scalable solutions.

Salary and Compensation:

The salary for this position is expected to range between $145,600 and $270,400 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on relevant skills and experience, and will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Compensation includes a performance‑based cash incentive and, for eligible employees, the possibility of annual equity awards.

Benefits and Rewards:

US‑based eligible employees 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. Employees are also eligible for a generous time‑off package including vacation, personal days, holidays, and other leaves.

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.

Accessibility & Reasonable Accommodations:

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e‑mail to arch@novartis.com or call +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.