At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational planning and oversight of medical programs, transforming data into actionable insights.
- Company: Join a leading pharmaceutical company committed to innovation and diversity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on collaboration and compliance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare by driving strategic decisions and fostering team excellence.
- Qualifications: Advanced degree in life sciences and 8+ years of operational experience in pharma.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ 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 in London 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 benefit from our commitment to employee growth through continuous learning opportunities and a culture that values diverse perspectives. Located in a vibrant area, our team thrives on operational excellence and is dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the healthcare sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director Portfolio & Program Management Medical Affairs in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work in medical affairs. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s recent projects and challenges. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re someone who understands their needs and can bring actionable insights to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you note. It keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
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 being part of our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director Portfolio & Program Management Medical Affairs in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Associate Director role. Highlight your experience in operational management and program oversight, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:In your application, emphasise your leadership experience, especially in complex matrix environments. We’re looking for someone who can drive operational excellence and foster collaboration, so share examples that demonstrate your ability to lead teams effectively.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is crucial. Use straightforward language to convey your achievements and insights. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details 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, particularly in managing cross-functional teams and driving operational excellence. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered collaboration and accountability in previous roles.
✨Be Data Savvy
Since the role involves translating complex data into actionable insights, practice explaining how you've done this in the past. Use specific examples where you consolidated information for senior leadership and how it influenced decision-making.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in the company's goals and culture. Inquire about their approach to process simplification and how they ensure compliance within their teams, showing that you're keen to contribute to their operational success.
