Global Program Associate Director

This job is with Novartis, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.

Summary

When we put our heads together, we can do brilliant work. And when we do brilliant work, we can achieve remarkable things for patients as we positively transform healthcare. If you are passionate about Drug Development and Project Management, then come join the GPM team as a Global Program Associate Director (GPAD)! In Global Program Management (GPM) we drive the planning and execution of drug development programs and provide the transparent and unbiased program information in support of the enterprise needs to make the right portfolio decisions. GPM associates located across the globe enable the cross-functional Global Program Teams (GPTs) to deliver the pipeline with optimal strategies, realistic plans, and seamless execution.

The Global Program Associate Director (GPAD) will provide project management expertise and operational support for global drug development programs. GPADs are members of the Global Program Team (GPT) and are accountable for maintaining accurate plans, documentation, resource forecasts, and efficient day-to-day operation of the GPT. They also resolve program issues and facilitate alignment across sub-teams and line functions. Additionally, they contribute to cross-functional strategy and project plan scenario generation, proactively identify, track and manage project risks, ensure GPT effectiveness, and support creation of executive communication about respective project(s).

Your Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development of the program/project strategy and partner with the Global Program Executive Director (GPED)/Global Program Director (GPD) (as applicable) and GPT members to translate the strategy into a realistic Integrated Development Plan (IDP).
• Coordinate preparation and compilation of strategic documents and preparations for project tollgates (endorsement for moving through the development phases) in collaboration with the GPT and GPED/GPD (as applicable).
• Proactively identify project risks and issues and contribute to development of mitigation strategies.
• Support communication of program/project status, changes and risks horizontally and vertically in a proactive, transparent and timely manner.
• Support preparation of comprehensive program/project recommendations and presentations for governance boards.
• Manage GPT meeting logistics and prepare high quality GPT agendas and draft minutes in a timely manner. Record action items / decisions and liaise with GPT members on follow-up activities and deliverables.
• Support timely executive communication of project status as required by the organization (e.g., One Pager, Executive Gantt chart, monthly Innovation Management Board (IMB)/Development Leadership Team (DevLT) updates, GPT minutes).
• Lead generation and maintenance of a complete and accurate project plan and forecast in the enterprise planning system (e.g., Horizon). This includes liaising with partner functions to ensure a realistic plan that reflects the strategy.
• Partner with Global Program Head (GPH) and GPED or GPD (as applicable) to enable a successful team culture based on the Novartis values and behaviours, the expertise and contributions of the GPT members, shared responsibility, and the coordination of work towards a common goal.
• Demonstrate behavioral strengths of proactivity, resilience, personal integrity, commitment to excellence, critical/analytical thinking, courage and creativity, agility and influence.

Role Requirements

Essential Requirements:

• Masters or Doctorate in life sciences (or MBA with Bachelor of Science degree) and 5+ years pharma industry experience.
• 5+ years or equivalent multi-/cross functional team experience.
• Intermediate knowledge in drug development.
• Strong project / program management skills.

Desirable Requirements:

• Previous track record of success in working with large scale and complex international and multidisciplinary drug development teams.
• Expert planning and tracking skills, ability to use proper tools in program management.
• Well organized, focused on results, capable of managing multiple projects, excellent time management skills with respect to priorities and self-management.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) for bridging across diverse, cross functional, multi-national, geographically dispersed teams.

Why Novartis?

Our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people's lives and our vision is to become the most valued and trusted medicines company in the world. How can we achieve this? With our people. It is our associates that drive us each day to reach our ambitions. Be a part of this mission and join us!

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

Accessibility and accommodation: Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to diversity.inclusion_ch@novartis.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

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